In 1979, Volkswagen announced it would be ending production of the Beetle to make way for a more modernly styled and engineered vehicle. The final cars were all Cabriolets, the last one rolling off the assembly line in January of 1980, but during the 1979 model year Volkswagen produced 900 Special Edition Super Beetles called the Epilogue Edition. Fittingly painted in black with a black interior and top, the special edition Beetle featured a burled wood dashboard applique and the Bosch fuel injected 1,585cc flat 4-cylinder engine. Now gracing the South Mallway of our Hallowed Halls, this 41,601 title verified miles car can be driven anywhere thanks to recent service and you could even press it into parade duty, thanks to the new running boards, clean 20 year old respray, and tear free interior 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 despite being a 20 year old respray of the factory black. Standard flare out fenders with chrome trimmed headlights on front, the curved hood/trunk lid upfront and the recently installed new running boards which have become synonymous with the V-dub. On the back we have the elephant footprint tail lights flanking the engine bay hood. A new black canvas top is well insulated with a white headliner and comes with a new black boot cover, and looks great in its clean canvas and defogger equipped glass window presentation. On each end, 2 nicely curved mirror-like chrome bumpers with a center rubber strip protect the front and rear. Recently refurbished and repainted Lemmerz 15-inch steel wheels 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 with new rubber floor mats 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 applique 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 a well kept and maintained original engine. It is a 1,585cc 4-cylinder fed by Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, and a 4-speed manual transmission. A 3.875 geared axle puts the power to the rear wheels. Our consignor notes that a recent tune up was performed to keep things running tip top.
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 in black rustproofing, and we note a repair on the rear passengers flooring with a small area of invasive rust that was missed. 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.
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 including the factory AM/FM radio 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, 1 of 900 built in triple black, low low actual miles and a fuel injected German manufactured air-cooled engine, it does not get any more classic than this!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is and our phone number is 855-201-7026. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.