The charm of the Volkswagen Beetle was found in its simplicity. From the beginning, it was designed as a no-frills economy car that still somehow managed to deliver a fun driving experience.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Click the link to view the listing)
“I have owned the car for almost 23 years,” the listing states. “Well maintained, always garaged. Recent tune-up and brake work done. Great shape inside and out.”
This ragtop shows just 64,965 miles on the five-digit odometer, and the seller asserts that it’s a true reading. For being 45 years old, this Beetle sure doesn’t look it: the paint is crisp, the body is straight, and the brightwork looks clean. However, the seller does point out that there are two noteworthy blemishes: one is located on the convertible top, and another is a small tear in the driver seat upholstery.
The Beetle was first introduced as a compact economy car in the late 1930s and continued in production all the way until the early 2000s in certain parts of the world with only minor updates. Most importantly, it received performance improvements, which is a good thing because the original Beetle (which was rated at 25 horsepower) was only designed to reach a top speed of about 60 miles per hour.
Power for this 1978 model comes from a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-four mated to a four-speed manual transaxle, and the interior excels at simplicity. Aside from map pockets, carpeting, and an AM/FM cassette radio, there isn’t much else offered by way of amenities.
The Beetle is one of the most recognizable cars in all automotive history. One of the most beloved Beetles was Herbie (the Love Bug) which starred in a series of Disney films centered around a 1963 Beetle with a mind all “his” own. As a kid, I remember watching Herbie Goes Bananas. Do you have any Herbie memories, or have you owned a Beetle yourself? Let us know your story!
“Super fun way to enjoy summer!” this listing concludes. The asking price is $14,900 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Too pricy