Vehicle Description
Is there anything the Volkswagen Beetle can't do? It's been
everywhere and done everything, including, apparently, becoming a
desirable collectable. This 1972 Beetle is ample evidence that the
days of finding these for pennies on the dollar are long gone, and
reminds us that the good ones always represent the best value. This
is a lot of car for the money!
Volkswagens can wear vivid colors without looking like they're
trying too hard, and bright red is a great choice for the
personality-laden Beetle. While they're no longer a staple on
America's highways, they are still recognized instantly by everyone
from tiny children to seniors. This is one of those great cars that
effectively blurs the line between restored and original, and it's
hard to say whether the paint is amazingly well preserved or just
an older repaint. Either way, it has an honest patina to it, a
gentle shine that looks right on the curvy old bodywork, and clear
evidence that it's been loved. Sure, it's been driven, but what
Beetle hasn't, and the overall look is quite appealing. VW fans
will be pleased to see the old-style taillights that most prefer,
as well as bright chrome bumpers, very nicely preserved rubber
running boards (probably the last production car to use them), and
just enough stainless trim to make it look right next to the flashy
American iron. No major issues or faults, just a clean, honest
Beetle that would really respond well to some old-fashioned elbow
grease.
Basic black was the standard interior for the Beetle, and the
high-back buckets wear correct textured vinyl seat covers that seem
to wear like granite over the years. Door panels recall an earlier
era with built-in map pockets, and the dash remains simple with
just a single round speedometer and integral fuel level gauge. The
4-speed gear shift falls easily to hand, and within a few miles
you'll have mastered it, vague gates notwithstanding. Snug-fitting
window gaskets help it seal up well, although I'm pretty sure the
stories of VWs being so tight that they would float in water are an
exaggeration. This one really is as basic as they come, including
radio delete, but that also means that there's no questionable
modifications that seem to plague older Beetles. The carpets are in
nice shape, the seat covers are just too nice to be original, and
it has a very nicely integrated look throughout the interior. Even
the forward trunk area is neatly upholstered in black carpets that
dress things up, just a little.
Touch the starter and the 1300 cc flat-four springs to life and
sounds like a Beetle should. The engine bay is quite tidy, showing
off careful maintenance and signs that someone really cared about
keeping it in top condition, and you could spend a Saturday
afternoon cleaning it up to really make a difference. A
single-barrel carburetor with an open-element air cleaner air
cleaner is atop a recent carburetor, and all the heater ducts are
still in place. It starts easily and idles well, and despite its
modest performance, this one feels like it could run forever. The
aforementioned 4-speed manual transmission shifts better than most,
and with the modular design of the undercarriage, it's easy to
replace parts that need help, as there's a brand new floor pan on
the passenger's side. Standard steel wheels with shiny hubcaps and
trim rings give it a traditional look and are fitted with 165/80/15
Kumho radials, a size that's ideal for the vintage Bug.
Don't restore a rusty one, take this clean, fully-sorted Beetle
home and just enjoy it. Call today!