Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for sale June 2-4th, 2017 at Russo and
Steele\'s 5th Annual Newport Beach California Auction. Please
contact us for more information.\r\n\r\nWithout doubt, the
Volkswagen Beetle was the most influential compact car to land on
U.S. soil after World War II. Rooted in Germany\'s KdF-Wagen design
concept, with the KdF representing Kraft durch Freude or Strength
through Joy, the Beetle was conceived from the early experiments of
Project 12 at the Porsche facility, where engineers settled on a
rear-engine layout and a simple yet effective platform chassis.
Countless revisions yielded no less than 30 distinct prototypes by
1935. Eventually, the Series 38 design embodied the Beetle, much as
we know it today. Produced from 1938 through 2003, the Volkswagen
Type 1 Beetle was remarkably similar in concept to Henry Ford\'s
Model T - an affordable people\'s car of attractive design,
economical operation, and durable construction. \r\n
\r\nDevelopment of the Beetle was swift, with careful updates
applied throughout its long production run. North American sales
continued through 1979 and derivative models including the
Transporter, Karmann-Ghia, Type 181 \'Thing\' and the Karmann-built
Cabriolet. In many ways, the years 1958 to 1964 were perhaps the
greatest in VW\'s history. Growing success in the American market,
trendsetting advertisements and the development of a worldwide
distribution chain all contributed to the Beetle\'s massive surge
in popularity. During this period, the Beetle matured, becoming far
more practical and user-friendly than before. Motor Trend agreed,
describing the improved Beetle as a car that breaks sharply with
tradition, and does so with undeniable competence. \r\n \r\nA
virtual multitude of improvements provided even greater comfort and
convenience for 1965 and beyond. The improved Super Beetle debuted
in the early 1970s and brought modern MacPherson strut-type front
suspension, a slightly redesigned front end, and myriad detail
refinements. The Super Beetle Cabriolet would continue in North
America through 1979 with fuel injection adding useful pep to the
venerable air-cooled 4-cylinder VW engine and the greater ability
to comply with tougher vehicle-emission standards. \r\n \r\nThis
very nicely restored 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible has
covered 80,000 actual miles and it was purchased from the second
owner. It underwent a ground-up restoration, with virtually every
nut, bolt, body panel, glass, rubber seal, interior, top and top
frame, either restored or replaced. The 1,600-cc engine was
completely rebuilt at the time of restoration and runs great.
During restoration, upgraded Porsche wheels were added to the
Beetle. The car is rust-free and has spent most of its life in
storage, and it benefits from routine annual servicing. During the
restoration, the original radio was left in the vehicle, and an
updated unit fitted to the glove box. In addition to the original
owner\'s manual, this outstanding restored 1971 Volkswagen Super
Beetle Convertible is accompanied with restoration receipts.
