• Seller: Jose E nciso
• Location: Toppenish, Washington
• Mileage: Unknown Shown
• Chassis #: 1332155480
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: Flat-4
• Transmission: Manual

This 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle is a solid classic in sound mechanical health. The owner admits it requires TLC, but the engineering and construction techniques employed by Volkswagen mean that a competent person could tackle many of the tasks in a home workshop utilizing a basic toolkit. The finished product would provide years of classic motoring fun, although the Super Beetle’s maneuverability and low fuel consumption figures might make it an ideal daily driver. The owner feels it deserves a new home with someone who can appreciate all that it offers. Therefore, he has listed this VW with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

Volkswagen produced two versions of its iconic Beetle in 1973. This is a Super Beetle, which is easily distinguished by its curved windshield. It is a largely original survivor, with the dark window tint and upgraded headlamps as the most obvious changes. The existing Turquoise paint retains a decent shine, and I suspect that attacking the car with a high-quality polish might further improve its appearance. However, it is also a strong candidate for cosmetic restoration, because dismantling the body so that areas like the door frames and trunk can receive a refresh is child’s play. The process could extend to the wheels while dispatching the bumpers to the platers would further enhance the Super Beetle’s looks. However, the winning bidder could take their time to consider all the options, because this beauty is solid and in no need of immediate attention.

Volkswagen adopted an evolutionary approach to drivetrain development with the Beetle. It remained a rear-engined vehicle throughout its impressive production run, with the air-cooled flat-four sending its power to the rear wheels. This Super Beetle features a 1,585cc powerplant, producing 46hp and 72 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures sound modest, but there were a couple of strings to Volkswagen’s bow. The Super Beetle tips the scales at 1,984 lbs, which is light for any vehicle capable of comfortably seating four. The company didn’t focus on outright acceleration, tailoring the original Beetle to cruise on the open road all day at 60mph while sipping frugally from its fuel tank. The Super Beetle raises the bar slightly, meaning that spending the day with the needle sitting at 70mph is possible. That allows them to be surprisingly effective long-distance tourers, while the relatively small dimensions sees them perform exceptionally well in the cut and thrust of city traffic. The owner says that this Super beetle runs and drives, and that everything works as it should. That makes hitting the road for a spot of classic motoring fun a tempting idea as the buyer contemplates its future.

The 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle is an under-appreciated classic because these cars are renowned for their versatility and reliability. This car could be preserved in its current form, although there is an extensive range of aftermarket parts that allow owners to extract impressive performance from the little air-cooled four. They are ideal for an individual seeking a first or a hands-on project candidate because the engineering and construction techniques are elegantly simple. This little gem could find its way into your workshop in a few days. All you need to do is join the bidding party and a world of classic motoring fun could be yours.

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