1974 Volkswagen Beetle

Description

Volkswagen updated the perennial Beetle in the early '70s, and the Super Beetle was the result. This 1974 example has that unassuming Beetle look and drives superbly thanks to those many upgrades the Super Beetles received.

Finished in traditional Sahara Beige, when you drive this car everybody is your friend. Sure, the Beetle was practical, economical, and sturdy, but the undeniable cuteness factor is what made them a success, both then and today. They were also prone to rust, so finding one as clean as this, that has lived its entire life in the south, is doubly important. From the paint, which was redone not too long ago and still has a great shine, to the chrome and trim, this car shows all the evidence you'd need to prove that it has always been loved. Accessories include the headlight and window visors, both in chrome, and all of it is in excellent condition. Super Beetles are easy to spot with their curved windshields, larger marker lights, and some additional chrome, giving this one a very familiar look.

The brown vinyl interior is classic Beetle, with firm, supportive buckets and trademark textured seating surfaces. The stuff wears like iron, and still looks to be in excellent shape inside this charming little coupe. Matching door panels continue the simple VW theme, adding map pockets in the doors that are actually quite useful. Black carpets offer the correct German square-weave pattern and are nicely bound, showing great attention to detail on the part of the factory. A single gauge is all the Beetle ever offered, combining the speedometer with a small fuel level gauge, and the markings are clear. There's a newer AM/FM stereo fitted in the dash, but otherwise this one is completely as the factory built it. The front trunk compartment is also nicely finished with no issues lurking under the fitted cardboard liners and you can see that the repaint was thorough because there's no trace of the original paint anywhere.

With looming emissions regulations on the horizon, even the Beetle was not immune, but for 1974, a carburetor was still standard equipment, and that's how most enthusiasts prefer it. The engine is actually an earlier 1970-71 1600 cc flat four with an "AE" block. There's a big generator up top and a correct Bosch distributor cap, the factory-issued air cleaner which looks big enough for a fire truck, and the proper hot air tubes remain in place so it heats and cools like it should. The 4-speed shifts, well, like a VW Beetle, so it might need a little familiarity, but if you've driven one before, you'll feel right at home here. There's no sign of rust underneath that we can tell, even in the primary trouble spots that all Beetles must face like the battery box and under the rear seat, and it is all finished in basic black so it's tidy but remains low maintenance. Simple steel wheels and shiny hubcaps are fitted inside a set of recent 165/80/15 blackwall radials for a period-perfect look that's exactly right on this little Bug.

High-quality Beetles won't be this affordable for much longer, the market is moving. Always a favorite car, now the Beetle can also be considered a favorite collector car. Call now!