Drop Top Bug

1977 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1977 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 145 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“... the world's best-selling car ever, and now it is probably the most usable real-world classic you can own.” Classic Motoring magazine, May 2011

Classic Motoring went on to opine about the Beetle's remarkable success: “Nobody can deny that the Volkswagen Beetle was a phenomenal success, but putting your finger on the exact reasons why is not simple. The original pre-war design brief for a car that was affordable to buy and run on modest means, could carry two adults and three children at 60mph (all day on the new autobahns), and return over 30mpg was laudable enough, but hardly revolutionary - a similar desire to provide transport for the masses had previously brought success to many manufacturers throughout the world, most spectacularly to Henry Ford with his Model T. Yet by 1972 Volkswagen's Beetle had outsold the Tin Lizzie and was well on its way to an astonishing total of 21,529,464 million units worldwide....

Offered here is a driver quality 1977 VW Beetle Cabriolet in white over gray under a white-fabric top. The car's current odometer reading is 56,447 miles, or fewer than 1,300 miles per-year on average since new. The Beetle's sound mechanicals and aesthetics make it a candidate for further restoration.

To the untrained eye, many VW Beetles look alike. In truth, the cars were constantly updated, even in the middle of a production run. Wikipedia describes the contemporaneous improvements made in this car: “1977 models received new front seats with separate head restraints. This was the final model year for the Beetle sedan in North America. The convertible was offered in a 'triple white' Champagne Edition in Alpine White with white top and interior with the padded deluxe steering wheel, tiger maple wood-grain dash trim and 4.5 in (110 mm) wide sport wheels. Approximately 1,000 Champagne Editions were produced.”

It's possible but not certain whether the Beetle offered here was one of the Champagne Edition cars given the “tiger maple”-appearing woodgrain applique on the dash. If it is a Champagne Edition car (determining this is challenging), the gray interior upholstery would be a replacement from the original white.

The exterior of this white, drop-top Bug shows well with good gloss overall. Surface rust is present on the door bottoms, there are chips in places, and signs of cracking near the front edge of the passenger-side rear fender. (To best assess the quality of the paint and chrome finish, be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Body-panel fit and alignment is excellent, the result of manufacturing skills still eluding American car makers back in the day. Chrome—including the hood trim, body trim, headlight, exhaust outlet, and windshield trim—is bright and well-maintained. The 8-spoke, Minilite-style wheels with VW-logo center caps are in good condition and could be refreshed. A mixed-brand set of 165/80 tires is mounted. Cabin glass and all lighting lenses are clear and un-cracked. The white fabric top is free of obvious damage.

Inside, the padded black dash, gray textured-fabric seating surfaces, door trim (with pleated pockets), carpeting, headliner and visors, steering wheel (with leather-cover on its rim) and controls, including the floor-mounted 4-speed manual-transmission shifter (with shift knob featuring the shift pattern), are all good to very-good condition. Upholstery is loose in places and discolored from age and use, most noticeably on the driver's seat cushion. The woodgrain dash trim is faded and partially missing. A Kenwood® audio head unit is mounted in the factory-radio location. This is a survivor Beetle.

Under the rear hood, the legendary 1600-cc flat-four engine exhibits the same level of originality and condition as the rest of the car. Similarly, the front trunk is spotless with the factory-installed low-pile carpeting still in place. Underneath, the chassis shows surface rust on unprotected metal arising from age and road miles.

The car's factory identification and build tags remain in place. Its original owner's manual is included in the sale.

While the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '77 VW Beetle Convertible in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

At the end of his VW review, the Classic Motoring writer got a little nostalgic: “Having a Beetle was similar to walking a dog. People would see you and ask about it, only to soon reminisce about the time they or a friend drove a 'Bug.' It always brings a smile or two to recall a crazy road trip with a Beetle....”

Owning and enjoying any Beetle is an automotive experience every enthusiast should cherish. This white-on-white drop-top is ready for plenty more enjoyable miles, or to be restored to a higher level… or both.