1600cc 4-Cylinder 4-Speed/Great Interior/Wonderful Classic V-Dub Sound

1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible

Bela Barenyi, an 18-year-old Hungarian student, submitted a chassis design for a "Volkswagen" in 1925 and is recognized as designing the basic VW Beetle. Ferdinand Porsche, an Austrian automotive engineer, created the Volkswagen Beetle after receiving a contract from Hitler in 1934 for prototypes. The Beetle's air-cooled flat 4 engine was designed by Franz Reimspeiss, not Ferdinand Porsche. Even with 20 plus million being built to date, he was paid less than twenty dollars for his work.

I'm happy to announce we have bugs here at Classic Auto Mall. Oh, certainly not the kind that you would swat at, but these were made in Wolfsberg, Germany, by the millions and infested the USA over the years. This classic 1972 version is in nice condition with some recent work to keep things in order, including new carpet, body seals, a rebuilt carburetor, valve adjustment and valve cover gaskets. So, if you want you can now take this car to our famous test lake, and go for a floating dip, just like the ads! (although we would have no way of getting you back)!

Exterior
Marina Blue covers all the curved panels and bumpers and presents nicely with some minute inclusions seen throughout. Body panels all fit nicely, and even as late as 1972 VW beetles were still utilizing the exterior nonintegrated fender attached by running board design literally from the 1920's. Chrome bumpers are nice, and badging is showing just a little delamination and wear. Glass and surrounding trim is good and since this is a pre-elephant footprint taillight car the taillights are in proportion to the car. A black canvas insulated convertible top in very nice condition with a glass rear window moves up and down smoothly and manually.

Interior
New carpeting in beautiful deep black covers all the floors neatly and is also seen in the front trunk lining. Floating above are black vinyl high back buckets with molded woven pattern inserts and smooth black bolsters. A rear bench is seen, and all seats are excellent showing very little wear. Door panels covered in black vinyl are straight and true with a nifty lower storage pouch. A small curved dash fronts all this beautiful vinyl and has a stainless panel with extra imbedded instruments and gauges, a Craig AM/FM/Cassette radio and framed by the textured black vinyl dash is a wood appliqu glovebox in front of the passenger. Out of the sea of carpet rises the straight gearshift lever topped with a wood knob.

Drivetrain
The 1600cc flat 4-cylinder engine has undergone a recent carburetor rebuild, and valve adjustment. For that carburetor, we show its a 1-barrel Solex brand. There is a 4-speed manual transmission attached.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust and previous floor pan repairs are seen, but structurally sound with no invasive rust. New tires, restored wheels and wheel cylinders have been put on. Independent coil spring suspension on all 4 corners, as well as drum brakes all around can be seen. Also, the shiny mini exhaust tips go rearward and poke out from under the rear bumper.

Drive-Ability
A quick startup and I'm met with that "tinny" exhaust sound that can only be heard on an older VW. The car ran smoothly, shifted effortlessly, and handles corners very nicely. All was in good working order for my drive.

Nicely cared for, with some recent upgrades and rebuilds, she runs smoothly, and is certainly a bug that will catch your eyes.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.