Very Nice Paint/1.6 Liter Flat 4/EFI/Great Runner & Driver

1979 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Hippie, also spelled hippy, member, during the 1960s and 1970s, of a countercultural movement that rejected the morals of mainstream American life. The movement originated on college campuses in the United States, although it spread to other countries, including Canada and Britain. The name derived from “hip,” a term applied to the Beat Poets of the 1950s, such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, who were generally considered to be the precursors of hippies. Although the movement arose in part as opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War (1955–75), hippies were often not directly engaged in politics, as opposed to their activist counterparts known as “Yippies” (Youth International Party).

For consignment, an iconic Beetle from Volkswagen that has great paint, no known problems, a repaint and new top in 2019, always mechanically looked after, and it's last year of production in the USA as well as the last convertible version produced worldwide. The buyer can be confident to drive the car anywhere, press it into parade duty, or just enjoy a Sunday drive in the country, top-down wind in your hair and smile on your face.

Exterior
All curved steel panels on this bug are rust free and have survived time with the current consignor, which remains nice and shiny in a 2019 respray of light blue and white. Light blue covers all horizontal surfaces while white inserts have been applied to the sides and cover the doors then die off to a point while following the front and rear fender lines. Standard flare out fenders with chrome visored headlights on front, the curved hood/trunk lid upfront and the running boards which have become synonymous with the V-dub. On the back we have the elephant footprint taillights flanking the engine bay hood. A new in 2019 white canvas top is well insulated, and comes with a new white boot cover, and looks great in its clean canvas and glass window presentation. On each end, 2 nicely curved mirror-like chromed with a center rubber strip protect the front and rear. Chrome steel wheels with polished dog dish are wrapped with like new blackwall rubber on all 4 corners.

Interior
All black, all vinyl, and all nice from door panels to seats, the black is beautifully preserved with no marks or tears, just good padded buckets upfront, and a bench in back. Black carpet covers the floors underneath and looking to the front and we have the black padded dash with its single bump up where the gauge cluster is housed. Just below is a strip of burl appliqué where the clock, and various toggles as well as the factory AM/FM radio is housed. Keep it simple because it works, for 50 plus years!

Drivetrain
The engine sits in the rear engine bay and has the look of an unrestored original engine. It is a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder, it has Bosch L-Jetronic Electronic Fuel Injection, and a 4-speed manual transmission. A 3.875 geared axle puts the power to the rear wheels.

Undercarriage
Some very slight surface rust on the rear suspension and structure, but all is structurally sound. The floor pan tubs in the middle of the car are coated with patina and black rustproofing, and we note a repair on the rear floor just under where the battery is located, and the front suspension matches the rear as to patina and surface rust. MacPherson struts are the front suspension, and the rear includes a semi trailing arm, and torsion bar setup. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and exhaust is slightly aged. A new front disc brake conversion from J-Bugs is included with the purchase.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and off to the test track where it handled well, had good strong acceleration, moved through the gears smoothly, and exhibited straight bias free panic stopping. All functions were working well, and the top goes up and down smoothly, albeit manually.

If you have the bug for a bug, then this classic deserves a look. Well maintained, a snappy 2 tone paint job and black vinyl interior, and a German manufactured air-cooled engine, it does not get any more classic than this!