1971 Volkswagen Beetle

Description

For millions of people, the Volkswagen Beetle was their first automobile. Today, the Beetle is an equally great starter hobby car, with examples like this 1971 model still available for a very affordable price. It gives you a great old car feel, unparalleled parts and knowledge support, and an undeniable appeal that puts a smile on everyone's face.

Simple is good when you're a Beetle fan, and while this lovely Bug shows just the right amount of patina, it also carries a handsome color combination that's just a bit out of the ordinary. Well, light blue isn't all that unusual, but the matching blue cloth interior is seldom-seen. But before we go there, let's take a closer look at the bodywork, which remains quite good. Fit and finish on the lowly Beetle were actually above average, and while rumors of them floating because they sealed up so well were probably slightly exaggerated, there's no denying that this one fits together very well. The early Beetle styling cues such as the small taillights, chrome-rimmed headlights, and simple chrome bumpers are all present and accounted for, and still in great shape. You can tell it's an original Beetle and not a Super Beetle by the flat windshield, and the big chrome bumpers dress it up nicely. If you like the traditional Beetle look, you're going to love this car.

As I mentioned, the interior makes this Bug something special, with blue cloth in place of the usual black. The interior is likely original, so it's showing some wear, but nothing critical beyond a small split on the bottom of the driver's seat back and some wear on the lower cushion, all of which I think I'd leave alone. Instrumentation is simple, with a round speedometer with an integrated gas gauge tucked above the odometer. Simple gray carpets with rubber floor mats make it durable, the headliner fits quite well, giving the car a well-tailored look. The trunk area is also correctly finished with proper cardboard liners, a full-sized spare tire that might even be original, and absolutely zero signs of accident damage. If you're looking for a clean Bug, this is it.

Mechanically, the Bug is familiar to anyone who has even a passing interest in cars. The air-cooled flat-four starts with the characteristic exhaust note, and under the deck lid shows a lot of originality and recent maintenance. All the heating tubes are in place, which you don't often find on older Beetles, and it looks quite original. Beetles are famous for their bulletproof reliability, and this one is no exception, as it starts every time and drives extremely well. Performance is modest, even with the 4-speed manual transmission, but that's the whole point of an old car: to be transported to a different era. This one still carries its original floor pan, which is solid, and all the original suspension and brake components have been serviced properly over the years. Recently restored steel wheels with bright hubcaps carry skinny blackwall radials with a lot of life left in them.

A very clean early Beetle with lots of personality and a great color combination. Get into the hobby today without a big investment. Call now!