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HomePick of the DayTop-down classic, 1974 VW Beetle convertible in bright orange

Top-down classic, 1974 VW Beetle convertible in bright orange

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The VW Beetle convertible is a postwar classic that everybody recognizes and about which most people have some fond memory.  Mine is as a teenager practicing stickshift on the streets of West Philadelphia in a red VW convertible owned by my friend Debbie Lily.

The Pick of the Day is a beach-cruising 1974 Volkswagen Beetle convertible with just one owner and in nice original survivor condition, according to the Laguna Beach, California, dealer advertising the bug on ClassicCars.com.

VW

“This highly original convertible Beetle was purchased new by its consignor in 1974 and was used sparingly as a second car at their vacation home here in So California,” the seller says in the ad. “A comprehensive inspection and appraisal was completed in 2019 which confirmed the originality of the car and its overall good condition (available for inspection).”

With just over 86,000 miles showing on its odometer, the VW convertible is purported to be in very presentable condition with some paint flaws, a good top and interior, and running well.

VW

“Mechanically, the convertible is solid and drives very well,” the ad says. “The engine starts easily and runs smoothly without issue. The transmission and clutch operate in harmony with smooth clutch engagement and crisp gear shifts. The steering is direct and has no play or shimmy. The braking is straight and predictable.

“The Bug is a stunning and reliable car that has been very well-maintained and shows pride of ownership. It is easy to operate and drive and a real head turner!”

In bright Orange Crush, the VW is a cheerful-looking critter that would have been in its element as a vacation car, as it was used.  It calls to mind trips to the beach and cruising top down on warm summer evenings.

VW

The VW looks in the photos with the ad to be ready to drive, with some of the closeup photos showing areas of wear.  The interior looks totally usable, as does the fabric top, which most likely has been replaced at least once.

A fun classic that would be easy to own, the Volkswagen is priced at $14,995.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

 

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I really never got the fascination with these Beetles. I’ve owned a couple myself and wasn’t impressed. The ’72 Beetle I bought brand new (my first new car) turned out to be a real lemon, it was literally in the dealers garage almost every Monday. I was so glad I dumped it after 13 months.
    VW made MILLIONS of these Beetles and it seems pretty much everyone has owned one (or more) at sometime. Their not rare at all so I can’t figure out why people try and sell them for so much.

    • I’ve owned numerous VWs from 1967s to 1979. The biggest issue I’ve found was the floor pans being rotted out. First to place if you’re considering one. The VIN is also stamped in the floor pans.

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