42-YEARS-OWNED 1979 VOLKSWAGEN SUPER BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

OVERVIEW

This 1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible has been with the seller for 42 years. It is powered by a rebuilt 1.6-liter four-cylinder replacement engine backed by a four-speed manual transaxle. Features include fuel injection, rebuilt suspension, rebuilt drive axles, a tubular front strut tower brace, European-style headlights, and heated rear glass. Finished in Alpine White and equipped with a white convertible top over a reupholstered white vinyl interior, this garage-kept Super Beetle comes with the items detailed below and a clear title in the seller's name.

EXTERIOR – FEATURES

In 1997, the body was bead blasted and refinished in the original color of Alpine White (code L90E), the frame for the manual convertible top was restored, and the white fabric for the top was replaced. Features include chrome bumpers with black trim, European-style headlights with chrome rings, dual mirrors, black running boards, and a heated rear windshield. After being bumped in a parking lot, the right rear fender was repaired and repainted in 2018. The following year, the front hood was repaired and repainted after a similar incident. Four of the videos below show walk-around footage of the exterior as well as the interior.

EXTERIOR - WHEELS AND TIRES

A set of 15-inch gray Volkswagen styled steel wheels is wrapped in 165R15 Arizonian Premium Metric steel-belted radial tires, which were installed in 1998.

INTERIOR – FEATURES

The front bucket seats and the rear seat were reupholstered in new white vinyl and new black carpeting was installed in 2022. Features include white door panels and trim, manual windows and steering, a floor-mounted manual transmission shifter, a turn signal indicator and wiper switch that was installed last year, a Motorola AM/FM radio, stereo system wiring, and a newer steering bushing. According to the seller, there is a loose connection in the wiring harness for the wiper switch that causes the wipers to operate intermittently. They have purchased a new wiper relay for the vehicle and have detailed information on the wiper system.

INTERIOR – GAUGES

A 100-mph speedometer and a fuel gauge are located ahead of the driver. With 72,000 miles added during the seller's 42-year ownership, the rolled-over odometer reads 104,384 miles, which the seller reports is the mileage on the body.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

Power is provided by a fuel-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and backed by a four-speed manual transaxle. The engine was replaced in 1983 and has logged fewer than 2,000 miles since being rebuilt and tuned for high-altitude (8,000 feet) driving in 2018. Recent service in March 2023 included an oil change, a transmission fluid change, and an engine tune-up. The first video below shows a cold start of the engine.

UNDERCARRIAGE

This Volkswagen is equipped with a four-wheel independent suspension that was rebuilt and fitted with urethane bushings in 2022. The rear axle shafts were rebuilt in 2021. Braking is provided by manual four-wheel drums. The exhaust exits at the rear through a single outlet.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

As part of the sale, the seller will include a black convertible top boot, a black front bra, a two-piece car cover, tools, a new wiper relay, removed original parts, spare parts, miscellaneous components, seat upholstery, service records, and owner's and service manuals.

The removed original parts include the:

• Sun visors
• Fragmented tonneau cover, which has been used as a pattern
• Headlights
• Oil dipstick
• Hand brake boot

The tune-up kit consists of:

• Spark plugs
• Spark plug wires
• Condenser
• Points
• Fuel filter
• Oil gasket kit

The following tools and others will also be included with the purchase of the vehicle:

• Timing light
• Tuning trouble light
• Thickness gauge for the spark plugs
• 17mm Allen wrench
• 24mm hammer wrench
• Tire chains and tire chain bungies
• Lug nut wrench/jack handle
• Jumper cables