Ah, he lovable VW Beetle. You've probably spent the last 20 years thinking you could always pick one up for pennies and just never got around to it. Well the day has finally come when nice ones like this 1976 convertible are no longer disposable transportation, hey're legitimate collectors' items. And they're still just as much fun as they were back in the good old days.Bright red is probably the best color for a VW Beetle, right, heerful, nd highly visible, nd in fact when this Bug was repainted a few years ago, hey used "Georgia Bulldog Red" to make a statement. It's a great color, old and vibrant without being too orange or too pink, nd it would probably make a great parade vehicle in any regard. Despite their affordable price, hese were always rather well-built little cars and even the convertibles like this one feel durable. Gaps are good, he doors fit with a solid feeling, nd the body fits together quite well with a nice shine to the paint. It's not perfect because it's hard to resist driving a Beetle convertible on a sunny day, ut it looks authentic and that's really what matters. The black rubber running boards are in good condition and the bright trim appears original. The chrome bumpers could use a little attention, ut they're serviceable as-is and are easy to upgrade down the line.The interior is standard Beetle fare, ith high-back bucket seats wrapped in some of the most durable man-made materials ever invented. Matching door panels were probably replaced at the same time the rest of the work was done and the carpets are reproduction pieces that fit well, lthough they could stand to be re-attached around the pedals. The simple instrument panel is VW engineering at its most basic, ith big, lear numbers and an integral fuel gauge. Whatever the original radio may have been, t's long gone, eplaced by a Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo head unit that sounds great when you're tooling around town in your bright red Bug. The 4-speed shifter will feel familiar to anyone who has ever owned a Beetle before, nd with a little practice, ou'll be shifting like a pro. The forward trunk is largely original, ut you can easily see how thorough the paint job was. And there's a newer black convertible top with glass rear window and headliner, iving the VW a far more expensive feel than you'd expect at this price level.A standard 1600 cc flat-four provides power, nd while performance is adequate, t's the way it goes about its business that makes the Beetle such a joy. It has good torque and a peppy demeanor, nd with the lightweight body, t zips around without seeming to work hard. It's pretty tight in there, ut the original equipment is intact and it runs rather well, s Beetles tend to do when they're not neglected. The transmission shifts like it should and thanks to a fairly comprehensive restoration about ten years ago, he underside is in good order and ready for another few decades of fun. No surprises await you in the floors or rocker boxes, nd the suspension feels buttoned-down and well-sorted. Stock steel wheels with hubcaps are really the best choice on an early Beetle and they wear 165R15 blackwalls with a very appropriate look.Complete with manuals, eceipts, nd restoration photos, his is a fun, nexpensive car that delights everyone who sees it. Better move fast, hough, ecause a lot of people are realizing how special these Bugs really are. Call today!
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