It's been 8 or 9 years since I last owned my first Beetle - a 1968 1500. I drove it just about everyday and even took it on two 8-hour round trips to Syracuse,NY from Philly, PA.
My '67 Beetle is a Euro Spec version not sold in the US. It was purchased by a US Marine Sgt. and shipped here to the US in 1991. The 1966 front fenders and headlights would be the first thing to tip you off about it being a Euro spec. US spec Beetles had more of an upright headlight style. The "VW 1300" on the decklid is also another tip - US spec cars just said "1300". The speedometer also only reads in KPH instead of MPH.
Other than the Empi polished aluminum 5-spoke wheels, Empi dress up trim, Scat shifter, Monster Tach, and front suspension being dropped 2.5" it's all OG. It would be very easy to put the car back to 100% stock. The exterior/interior color combination is what really caught my eye with this car as well as the fact that it's a euro spec bug with 20 years of paper work included with it's purchase. I have all the paperwork documenting it's overseas shipment from Germany in 1991, stacks of receipts from the last 20 years, and the last German registration decal is still on the original windshield. I even have the original owners manual that's printed in German. The pan is soild and clean, the interior is as close to perfect as you can get aside from a concours restoration. The Scat shifter operates not only flawlessly but makes going through the gears in the bug a blast. The monster tach may be a little overkill for this Bug, but it's still pretty cool and looks great next to the shifter. The stance is a 2.5" front drop with a stock rear ride height which gives the car a cool rake, nice hot rod stance. The Empi 5-wide polished 5-spoke wheels also help give this Bug an attitude.
I found the car on Craigslist and had to have it. It was located in Sharpsburg, GA, so I drove it 2 hours north back to the Buford, GA area. I've owned the car 3 days and I get more looks, more thumbs up, and offers to buy the car in the short time I've owned it than either of my Mustangs. It really amazes me at how many people relate to these little Type I Volkswagens and how many stories people have to tell you about having a Beetle or learning to drive on one, etc.
Having had a vintage 1968 Beetle 1500 8-9 years ago as a daily driver, I'm sure I'll have plenty to blog about on here. I'm just looking forward to the drive.
For more pictures and info check out my FQuick page: http://www.fquick.com/garages/Volkswagen/Beetle/1967/30298/
Did you get the heaters control levels replaced and working yet?
ReplyDeleteJ1 AZ
Actually, the 1967 US spec Beetles said 'Volkswagen' on the decklid, not 1300. Also, did the PO put the US spec bumpers on the car? The Euro spec bumpers were only the blade. Awesome car though, I love the stance, does it have an adjustable or narrowed beam or just drop spindles?
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