For Sale: 1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle Champagne Edition Convertible

"52 years ago, on February 17th, 1972, the 15,007,034th Volkswagen Beetle was produced in Wolfsburg, Germany, surpassing the production record that had previously only been held by the Ford Model T. In celebration of that record breaking achievement, Volkswagen released the commemorative World Champion special edition, which was sold through March that year. Today, we salute the humble "Bug" and the legacy that it built as one of history's most significant automobiles." VW.com, February 2022

For consignment, a 1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle Champagne Edition convertible showing 24,896 miles, but the true miles are unknown. According to our consignors, they are just the second owners of this car, one of 1,100 Champagne Edition Super Beetles produced in '77 and '78.

Exterior
Deep end of the pool with Ancona Blue Metallic paint, specific to the Champagne Edition, covers the straight steel panels and rounded fenders for this bug. The car is augmented with white pinstriping that frames panels, runs across the belt line, and accompanies a rocker stripe below. Running boards connect the fenders, with chrome-topped turn signals up front and elephant's foot three colored lights attached to the back. Gravel guards dress the front the rear fenders for some functional bling and the headlights are also sporting chrome trim bezels, which give the car much of its personality. A white canvas top is in great shape and it picks up on the striping while housing a glass rear window. 15-inch painted wheels show some surface rust and are wrapped in 165R15 tires. The rear deck houses louvers and the Fuel Injection emblem characteristically mounted at a slant. Imperfections include some surface rust peppering on the bumpers, inclusions, blistering, chips, scratches, filler dimples, a small rust hole on a rocker, wavy trim on the running board, and some scuffs in the black rubber bumper.

Interior
D5 is the color code for Ermine White which was another Champagne Edition exclusive and is first seen here on the door cards, mated with black cranks, actuators and armrests are equipped with a pleated pouch for storage and they are fully intact with some light staining. White vinyl high back bucket seats in front and a back bench make up the seating and we note some wear in the piping and slight discoloration (driver's only) and still popping against the blue paint that spills onto interior parts. The wrapped steering wheel sports the Wolfsburg logo and leads to burled elm imitation veneer across the dash, reserved for the special edition and an AM/FM radio lives in the center. A simple shifter rises from the floor and whimsical ladybug floor mats live in the footwells. The frunk is impressively clean.

Drivetrain
The clean engine is a 1,585cc flat 4 cylinder, air cooled, now wearing a new 1-barrel carburetor and rated at 48 horsepower. It is attached to a 4-speed manual transmission that keeps the power in back with 3.875 gears.

Undercarriage
Much of the square footage underneath is occupied by belly pans and beyond that, driver quality is observed with surface rust and oxidation throughout. That's dual exhaust that enters a stock style muffler before exiting via one tailpipe that protrudes from the cutout in the roll pan. Suspension consists of MacPherson struts in front and semi trailing arms with a transverse torsion bar in back. Drum brakes are at all four wheels. Heavy duty chains have been employed to the subframe in front.

Drive-Ability
The new carb allows this car to start right up, and drive smoothly with straight tracking, smooth shifting, and eventually gets up to speed. Its exhaust note is quintessentially Volkswagen and we'd have it no other way. We note the radio, turn signals, reverse lights, and wipers do not work. Our consignor tells us the gas gauge is stuck at �or above. All other functions operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

A nice example of a rare Champagne Edition of the VW Beetle. It would be very difficult to feel blue while sitting in the bright white interior of this blue car! Classic Beetles show no sign of losing their collectability any time soon and this is one you can enjoy for miles.

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your state's titling and registration process.

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