1974 Volkswagen Beetle

Description

It sure looks like the days of inexpensive Beetles are drawing to a close, which is probably a good thing. This cheerful orange 1974 Volkswagen Beetle is still an economical way to join the hobby, and you'll quickly find that there's a large group of folks out there who still think these are wonderful cars.

Is there anything about the VW Beetle that hasn't already been said? There's more than one reason why they have endured for decades as the world's most popular car, and this one makes it easy to understand why they've recently started taking off as legitimate collectables. The cheeky good looks impressive original build quality all work together to make one fantastic hobby car. This particular Beetle has been lovely maintained as a regular driver (especially when you consider how many of these turned into rusty ashes through the years), and the fact that it has spent most time in warm and sunny Texas has certainly helped in that regard. The Orange repaint is pretty close to the original orange shade VW offered from the factory in 1974 (a bit more Brilliant Orange than Amber Orange) and looks exactly right on the vintage runabout, and although this is by all accounts a driver with numerous imperfections, it still looks pretty great when it's puttering down the thoroughfare. Sure, a repaint might be in order soon, but the character of a Beetle is so immense you can get away with pretty much any kind of presentation and still be the talk of the parking lot. Everything lines up neatly for the most part and the doors open and close with a precision that belies the car's affordable price tag, and the fact the running boards are still solid and in good shape is quite the feat, as these are always the first to go when a Beetle begins to break down.

The custom black-and-white interior is an excellent complement to the bright orange bodywork, and the freshened vinyl does a good job of keeping you cool even on warm days. The '70s Beetles were upgraded inside from their earlier counterparts, and included things like map pockets in those stylish black door panels, plush yet durable carpeting throughout, a taut headliner above, and a comfortable backseat with room for two. And although this isn't the slightly larger Super Beetle, we're only talking a difference in length of about 3.23 inches, so there's no reason for an inferiority complex here. The black dash has seen better days, but even with all those cracks it is still intact, and the big, simple all-in-one round gauge keeps an eye on the air-cooled motor in the back. All the switchgear has a very no-nonsense look typical of German cars of the period and the leather-wrapped steering wheel has a substantial feel in the hands of the driver, made more exciting by the Bugpack T-handle on the 4-speed manual shifter that juts out from the floor. An upgraded, retro-style AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo sounds great through a full set of aftermarket speakers installed in the kick-panels and rear package tray, and seatbelts front and rear offer about as much security as a classic Beetle ever had. The forward-mounted trunk is a little scruffy, but still includes its vertically mounted spare tire (another give-away that this is not a Super Beetle).

The engine decodes to a 13000cc flat-four, and thanks to signs of recent maintenance and upgraded parts throughout, it still whistles along without complaints. Dual 2-barrel carburetors, dual port heads, and an updated electronic ignition system, it's an excellent runner that feels very strong (in fact, it could potentially stand a bit more of an aggressive tune and higher idle to counter all that added power), especially with a quick-shifting 4-speed manual transmission behind it. It starts easily with that distinctive VW, air-cooled whistling exhaust note, and delivers great performance for around-town errands. It also been dressed-up, from the chrome air cleaners atop the dual carbs, to the upgraded pulleys, and to the polished components found throughout the much more exciting engine bay. Stir the 4-speed gearbox properly and it's entertaining to drive, thanks to a stable suspension that includes a famed MacPherson front strut bar, updated shocks, and surprisingly effective drum brakes – which never seem to work very hard on the lightweight Bug. It's original underneath, so it's not perfect, but the floorpan is very solid and looks right for a car you're going to want to drive. Upgraded Minilite-style gold wheels carry grippy 195/65/15 radials that really dress the Bug up nicely.

You'll probably find that everyone is your friend when you drive a Beetle, and the way the market is moving, they won't be this affordable for much longer. Call today!