Is this Beetle worth $4500

[stevej37]

A friend is interested in this car and asked my opinion because he knew I owned three Beetles in the past. It was only a mile from me, so I biked over and took a few pics this am. The for sale sign doesn't state the year.

I've seen the guy driving it, so I know it runs. The best part of the car is the top...it looks somewhat new. The running board covers are all blistered up...rust underneath I'm sure. Interior is ratty. Seats look bad.

I would offer $1000 to start....certainly wouldn't pay the $4500
Or is it worth more because it's a convertible?

[Zeke]

If it's nice, yes. Otherwise subtract about half of what it would take to make it real nice. The top is a big consideration. I wouldn't touch on w/o a very good top. I've had 4 verts. Have one now.

[stevej37]

^^^
I wish I would have looked better at the underside of the top. It looks like the headliner is sagging terribly....but there is no headliner in a vert..right?

[Zeke]

Older ones had a full headliner with insulation. Interior was white perforated vinyl.

[stevej37]

^^^ Ok...Thanks, that's what it must be then. I wonder if it did that since parked...it would be a nuisance if trying to drive it like that.

[masraum]

The prices of stuff that used to be cheap are a bit insane these days. I can't say about a VW specifically, and I think location can make a huge difference in price.

I know that years ago in NoVA my parents bought a convertible bug and it wasn't cheap, but it also had new paint, new top, new wheels, etc... The only thing that hadn't been gone through was the interior and the motor hadn't been rebuilt but was running well.

[stevej37]

If I was looking for one for myself....I would want it all gone over.
At 72, I no longer need/want a big project car.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Or is it worth more because it's a convertible?

That appears to be a Super Beetle, and if it's a '79, the seller may think it's worth a bit more because that was the last year of production for the old VW convertibles.

Lots of variables here...what would be your friend's plan for this car?

Rust is the biggest issue with old VWs, and from the looks of those running boards and some of the the fender-to-body seams, this car probably has plenty. Other than the top, it looks pretty sad. It's had a color change at some point that could be hiding problems underneath. If there's major rust, especially in the rocker panels, it would be a big, expensive project to repair and make the car safe to drive. And a completely rusted-out pan usually requires removing the body to weld in new repair sections.

These aren't that hard to find, so unless your friend is a DIY guy, has the skills & tools, and is wanting a big project, I'd advise him to keep looking and buy the best one that he can afford.

[GH85Carrera]

As my old brain remembers, 73 was the first year of the Super Beetle. And that looks like a 73 with those tail lights. I bought a 73 Super Beetle Coupe new in 73 for $2,750. The is 20 grand in 2025 money. If that one has rust, just walk away, unless you want a big project.

[stevej37]

^^^ He does not have the experience or skills...I'm thinking he would pay someone to just get it to a solid drivable condition.

I'll prob talk to him tomorrow and try to discourage him, unless he low-balls with half the asking price or less. (and sticks to it)

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

As my old brain remembers, 73 was the first year of the Super Beetle. And that looks like a 73 with those tail lights. I bought a 73 Super Beetle Coupe new in 73 for $2,750. The is 20 grand in 2025 money. If that one has rust, just walk away, unless you want a big project.

Oh..it has rust, lots of rust.
The engine lid was unlocked and I looked inside. Surprisingly, it looked fairly clean.
Someone had rattle-canned the fenders in spots and you can see in the pic of the back end a hole eaten completely through.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Oh..it has rust, lots of rust. He does not have the experience or skills...I'm thinking he would pay someone to just get it to a solid drivable condition.

Well, he'd better have some really deep pockets then. If paying to have that car put right, he'd be underwater on it in no time.

Advise him to look for a better one...

[stevej37]

^^^ Agree.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Oh..it has rust, lots of rust.
The engine lid was unlocked and I looked inside. Surprisingly, it looked fairly clean.
Someone had rattle-canned the fenders in spots and you can see in the pic of the back end a hole eaten completely through.

Run, Forrest, Run!

[stevej37]

^^^ I'm not quite that fast anymore....but close.

[speeder]

That car looks horrible, you would have to be a masochist and an imbecile to buy that. The seller would be doing the fk dance in the end zone as you hauled it away.

If the guy really wants a Beetle convertible, show him BaT and tell him to buy the most expensive one that isn’t a “no miles” ‘79 on the site. The one that people are fighting over. They are as expensive to restore correctly as many much more valuable cars.

[stevej37]

^^^ I'm almost sure that he just wants to get it fixed up enough to drive.
Being a convertible is also swaying him.

[Tishabet]

100% a 1973 Super Beetle.

Why I know it is a Super Beetle: easily recognized due to the curved windshield (a Super Beetle only feature from 1973 onward), the shape of the fenders (to contain macpherson struts, a Super Beetle feature) and the dashboard style with the "pod" over the gauges. There will also be a vent stamped into the sheet metal underneath the front bumper if you get down and look.

Why I know it is a 1973:
-has a curved windshield (1972 was the only year of Super Beetle with a flat windshield, they are curved from 73 onward
-has "elephant foot" tail lights (a 1973 onward feature)
-does not have energy absorbing bumper shocks (1974 onward feature)

Has had a repaint from the original Bahia Red (see interior shot which shows the painted parts of the doors).

The running boards are a bolt on part and very simple to replace, but their condition does not bring warm fuzzy feelings about the shape of the structural elements of the car... the macpherson struts are a common rust failure point in these cars. I would walk.

[stevej37]

Was the engine in the convertibles the same as the others? I seem to remember different sizes back then.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Was the engine in the convertibles the same as the others?

Yes, all 1600cc horizontally-opposed 4-cylinders.