Source- VW Brochure
Table of Contents
Why Should I Buy The 1970 Volkswagen Beetle?
Well of course don’t expect a purist to welcome you with open arms as the Bugs from the 1970s came with single windows as opposed to the revered split window designs of early Beetles.
The downside is the latter are way too expensive and generally sell for $45,000-$50,000 in okay-ish condition and are only reserved for collectors with deep pockets. Beetles made from the 70s onward came with improved front suspension, and fuel injection and benefited from generally improved VW quality control.
Besides VW made its 15th million Beetle in the 70s and there are plenty of them lying around for you to choose and haggle over.
What notable changes were made to the 1970s Beetle?
1970
A more powerful version of the flat 4 was introduced with 1600cc ( 96.66) Cu.In of displacement. It had a rated power of 57 hp and came with a 4 -speed manual tranny.
1971
“Super” Beetle or “1302” in VW parlance came with many features that made it better than the old ones . Here are all the differences between Beetle and Super Beetle
- Super Beetle had a longer wheelbase than a regular Beetle by 3 inches
- McPherson Strut was introduced doubling the trunk space to 9.2 cu ft
- It weighed 155 pounds more than a regular beetle
- it had a dual braking system with enlarged discs
- The body was welded as opposed to bolted
- Standard equipment included carpeting, bucket seats, and 2-speed wiper, and a rear defogger and rear windows could now be opened a bit for ventilation.
- The engine now had 60 hp, 3 more due to 2 intake ports per cylinder
1973
The Beetle went through modest changes and gained a curved windshield, redesigned fenders, and a new dash design.
1975
The bug gained a new rack and pinion steering wheel along with a fuel injection system. Later this year VW officially discontinued the Beetle sedan with the convertible following suit in 1979 but the production continued in Brazil and Mexico.
How much is a 1970’s Beetle worth today?
As per Classic.com, the average selling price of a Volkswagen Beetle made from the 1970s onwards is between $12,000-$15,000. Those equipped with optional extras like automatic transmission, sunroof, luggage carrier, coco floor mats, AC, and FM unit cost a bit more.
Things To Remember Before Buying A Classic Volkswagen Beetle
Rusting In Various Panels
After shuffling through repair pal and vehicle history the most common issue with old Volkswagen Beetles was rust. Rustproofing wasn’t big back then and being an economical offering corners were cut in manufacturing.
Areas like door hinges, underbody, chassis bolts, and frame welds are particularly susceptible. Convertibles can leak over time due to choked gutters and ruin the interior and window rubber seals.
Rustproofing an entire Beetle will cost you about $2500 to $5000 with up to $50 per hour in labor. Even if you are willing to spend this much there aren’t many shops out there that undertake this kind of repair work.
Engine
Any oil smoke from the engine can be a potential leakage from the oil seals. Plus, these classic Volkswagen Beetles suffer from crankshaft thrust washers, in case you find it in your next deal, keep in mind that the repair is going to cost four figures! A long cold start can be an issue for those living in colder climates as explained by a long-term owner at Mater Madness.
Suspension Mounts
As we mentioned earlier, rust is a big deal in almost all classic cars these days. The suspension mounts can be rusted and worn out when it comes to the suspension of the classic VW Beetle. Hence, you have to make sure there is no wobbly ride, cracking noise, or anything suspicious about the suspension mounts, as it can cost you a lot to repair.
