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HISTORY
This nicely maintained 1972 Volkswagen Model 1111 standard beetle was manufactured in Germany by Volkswagenwerk AG in 03/72 and purchased later that year by my father from Overturf Volkswagen in Kennewick, Washington. The original sticker price was $2,073.90. Since 1980, when my father relinquished “the bug” for $1.00 and goodwill”, I have been the sole driver. At 152,105 miles, the engine was completely rebuilt in 1990 by Buttera Motors, Inc. in Bothel, Washington and interior and exterior restoration was completed in 1998 by Julio Amador and Baldo Paint Body Shop in Houston, Texas. German parts were used where available during these restorations. A review of service records indicates that the total mileage is about 210,000. A recent certified appraisal judged the vehicle to be in “very good” condition. The sale includes the original sales window sticker (framed), original owner’s manual, and one of the original keys. Some of the maintenance records are available.
The car has been involved in four accidents. The first in 1979 where the car sustained damage to the rear apron, engine cover, passenger-side door, and rear bumper. The vehicle was repaired at Appleway Imports in Spokane, WA. As a result of this accident, the passenger-side door is not the original. The hood bonnet was damaged slightly in 1988 and repaired in Bellevue, Washington. Heavy luggage on the rear bench seat during a ski trip in 1989 caused the seat springs to make contact with the battery terminals. This burned a patch of the rear bench seat matting and a small area in the upholstery. All seating was reupholstered during the restoration in 1998. Shortly after the full restoration in 1998 the car sustained minor damage to the front apron when another driver accidentally back into the car. Thankfully, the reinforced front bumpers prevented more serious damage to the body. This damage, however, has not been repaired. In determining the total amount of restitution, repair of the damage was estimated at $1,084.90 in 1999.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The upholstered cloth bucket seats are supportive and are more comfortable in cold weather than vinyl. Instead of vinyl, the seat and seat backs of this particular model were originally upholstered in black ribbed fabric with vinyl piping that was re-upholstered to near original condition during the 1998 restoration. The padded instrument panel was replaced at that time also. The driving position is roomy with plenty of leg room even for tall drivers. Visibility front and rear is good. The speed odometer is large and easy to read and most controls are manual and easy to use. The headliner is clean and in very good condition with only one minor ½ inch tear. This has been a non-smoker vehicle. The latch on the glove box is missing. After the restoration in 1998, the original Sapphire radio was replaced with a nice quality CD player with FM/AM tuner, power amplifier, and custom door-mounted hi-fidelity loudspeakers. The original dashboard mounted speaker is missing. Traces of yellow fire retardant remain inside the vehicle from the seat fire in 1989. The compact disc player works well but the radio, for some reason, does not. The original floor mats are in good condition. The door seals are intact and airtight. The inside vinyl-covered pressboard door panel on the driver’s side is warped and the vinyl is beginning to peel away from one corner. The trim surrounding the passenger-side wing window is chrome instead of the original brushed aluminum. The steering wheel is cracked in six places and the black rubber boot on the shift lever is torn.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Slow, noisy, fantastic! Purists will enjoy the classic VW exhaust notes coming from behind the cockpit. Like most Type I of this vintage, road noise is notable at speed but the stereo can still be enjoyed at a comfortable volume. The ride is still fairly tight and body lean is characteristically noticeable. Power from the engine is adequate to get from point A to point B. The car handles well in winter conditions especially if fitted with good quality snow tires. The heater and defroster function as well as can be expected from this vintage. The car weighs only 2,645 lbs. and gets good gas mileage.
ENGINE AND MECHANICAL
58,475 miles have passed since the engine was completely rebuilt in 1990. The 4-cylinder, 1,600 c.c., 57 horsepower air-cooled engine idles and runs very good and does not burn oil. A new carburetor was installed in January 2006. The carburetor has been adjusted to idle and run well at altitude (the seller lives at about 7,000 feet above sea level) so adjustments may be needed if the vehicle is to be operated at a different elevation. In addition, the brake system was rebuilt. The 4-speed manual transmission works fine and it does not pop out of any gear. There is a very slight oil leak from the engine or transmission. While this vehicle passed Colorado emission testing, consider that stricter emissions standards in other states or countries may impact buyer’s ability to register this vehicle.
SAFETY
Three-position seat belts for the front bucket seats and lap belts for the rear bench seat are functional and integral head restraints offer whiplash protection. However, the front seat belt retractors do not fully retract the seatbelts when they are unfastened. The steel-belted radial tires are in good condition and a set of four studded snow tires is included. Standard four-wheel drum brakes provide adequate stopping power. Reinforced heavy duty steel bumpers were installed during the restoration. The Hella halogen headlamps provide good illumination and intensity.
EXTERIOR
The original yellow color was restored in 1998 by Baldo Paint Body Shop in Houston, Texas and is not faded. There are some nicks and scratches in the finish as well as some minor surface rust and bubbles. Some small patches of rust do appear in the rain gutters. Most of the black rubber body seals are in good condition but some will require replacement. There are some rust spots on underside of the floor pans and inside the fender wells but most of the original undercoating is intact. There are some patches of rust on the inside surface of the bumpers and on the tail pipe extensions that is easily removed with steel wool. The trunk liner is mostly intact except where it rises behind the dash where there are tears that are held together with duct tape. The original windshield is not cracked or pitted but there is a small rock chip on the driver’s side. The windshield wipers work but the fluid does not spray. There is a crack in the orange plastic running light cover on the starboard side but the light works.
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