1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle

There are few automotive icons that have been produced in numbers of tens of millions. One of those is the Volkswagen Beetle, which sold a fantastic 21,529,464 during its lifetime from 1938 to 2003. That’s more than the population of some countries! One of the most renowned automobiles, the Beetle reshaped economical and fuss-free motoring with its thrifty and simple powertrain, and ability to carry a family comfortably for long distances. For added chops, it was developed by none other than Ferdinand Porsche, who’s name adorns one of the premier sports car makers in the world. This 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle is a lovely example of a much-adored car, and the seller states that it gets smiles and thumbs up from everyone! With a reported 85,267 miles, it’s looking for a new owner, and comes with the owner’s manual included in the sale.

Exterior and Interior

The Beetle’s iconic silhouette didn’t change between 1938 and 2003, but several design refinements were made, some on a yearly basis. This Beetle bears a beautiful baby blue paintwork that is fitting for such a happy car. The seller reports a repaint, but is unsure of when, and also discloses that the left hand side tail lamp is inoperative, so that will need attention. All chrome and badging appear to be in good condition, as do the shiny hubcaps on the steel wheels which wear radial tires that were newly installed in 2016. The interior is in contrasting gray, and seats four occupants. It’s said to be a new interior installed in 2016, with the headliner replaced in 2018. You don’t get a lot of distractions in a Beetle; this one sports a single circular gauge housing the speedometer and fuel meter, and a push-button radio in the center of the dash, plus a few buttons for functions such as lights. The windows are wind-up units. The trunk is at the front, making it a frunk of sorts.

Engine

The Beetle has always been powered by an air-cooled flat-four gasoline engine that emits a distinctive purr. It’s not a powerhouse motor, but a reliable and dependable partner. This 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle packs a 1.6L flat-four which is a donor engine that replaced the original at some point in this car’s history. The rear-mounted engine, rated at 60hp when new sends drive to the rear wheels via a Volkswagen Autostick three-speed automatic transmission. The rear axle and CV joints were replaced with new ones in 2016, and the gas tank and vents saw replacement in 2021, making this Beetle ready for the next fifty years.