Inventory Listing

The Volkswagen Beetle is the cutest car ever made, no doubt about it. Seeing one will always make people smile and the term “Cute as a bug” probably came from VW, not an entomologist. With a history that spans decades, bulletproof mechanicals, fun road manners, and built to be economical, there’s simply no better all-around hobby vehicle than a VW Beetle if you’re on a budget.

This 1973 Volkswagen Beetle convertible is pretty much the final iteration of the legendary air-cooled Bug, and it gets just about everything right. It spent a majority of its life in the warm-dry southern US, so it has no sheetmetal issues of any kind, and the entire floor pan was replaced during the restoration. The bodywork is in excellent condition thanks to a comprehensive repaint a few years ago, and thanks to typically high VW build quality, it fits together quite well. The color is from the late-model Ford color pallet, something called Frost Green, and it’s a bit more green and less gray than it appears in the photos (our studio has trouble with green paint for some reason). It’s quite attractive and works rather well on the rounded VW tub, giving it a timeless look that will not go out of fashion. The modern urethane finish offers a deep shine and great durability, and even after a few thousand miles of driving, there are very few signs of use on this car. Some of the chrome is original and some was replaced during the makeover, so it has a consistent, all-of-a-piece look that doesn’t need any extra fussing. This is a car that’s meant to enjoy, not stash away in the garage, and as such you won’t worry about anything when you use this ragtop as intended.

The interior was also fully restored starting with those handsome medium gray seat covers, a color that works extremely well with the Frost Green paint. It’s light enough to stay cool in the sun and it’s a nice change from the usual black or white. The door panels were refinished using the same materials and it all looks pretty much the way it might have in 1973, thanks to new foam in the seats. Gray carpets are a little darker and add some contrast, while the black dash was your only choice in a Beetle. Simplicity was the name of the game for the dash, which includes the standard speedometer with integral fuel gauge, headlight controls, and not much else. Some woodgraining on the dash warms things up a bit and there’s an EMPI shifter for the 4-speed manual gearbox, and it really makes a difference in feel. The original AM radio is still in the dash, but it’s not hooked up and an upgrade would be a smart investment if you’re going to spend a lot of time on the road—the previous owner simply liked the way the engine sounded so he never worried about it. We believe the convertible top is original, and its condition says a lot about the easy life this car has led, although there’s some discoloration on the headliner and some amateurish sealer around the rear window. However, if you’re using this car correctly, you’ll only see the top in emergencies. The forward trunk is also neatly restored with a new gas tank, some fresh wiring, and a gray fiber board floor that make it look finished.

Pop the engine cover and you’ll see a familiar sight: VW’s 1600 cc air-cooled flat-four. As reliable as a stopwatch and simple to maintain, it’s a great little machine that asks very little in return for the fun it provides. This one remains quite stock and includes a carburetor rather than the trouble-prone fuel injection that would show up a few years later. It was rebuilt about 8000 miles ago and runs superbly today. New tune-up parts, including correct Bosch ignition components, means that it starts easily and idles well, and it runs down the road enthusiastically, if not particularly quickly. Even the factory air cleaner assembly is still in place, as well as all the heater tubes and ducting that most folks throw away after a few years. No issues, no concerns, and every time you turn the key you’ll be rewarded by the familiar little bark of the flat-four. It might just be the most distinctive sound in the entire automotive universe.

As I mentioned, the floor pan is new, which means the structure of the car is in excellent condition. The outer box sections are in excellent condition and there’s not much evidence of rust or damage anywhere you look. Some surface grime on the suspension only proves that it’s been used as a car and the brakes do a great job of hauling it down from the modest speeds of which it is capable. Many of the brake components are new, including the lines and wheel cylinders, and the suspension is completely stock so it rides surprisingly well and handling is agile and entertaining. A stock-style exhaust with dual outlets looks good but doesn’t make a lot of noise, so you’ll always enjoy cruising in this smart VW ragtop. Add in the factory steel wheels and hubcaps with some appropriately-sized 165SR15 blackwalls, and you have a car that’s familiar and attractive all at the same time.

I think Beetles are also a safe place to spend some money and have some fun. Values are consistently inching up, and while it won’t make you rich overnight, cars like this will always be in demand. With a lot of recent work, zero rust, great colors, and a top that goes down, it’ll be hard to find more fun for less money than this. Call today!