High-quality restoration about eight years ago, still in fantastic condition. Runs and drives beautifully, new interior and top, upgraded wheels and tires, modern stereo, plus much more. Still a favorite after all these years, this Beetle convertible makes friends everywhere it goes.

This awesome little Bug enjoyed a comprehensive restoration about eight years ago, making for one of the nicest VWs we’ve ever featured. The beautiful cranberry red bodywork was refinished at that time, and included repairing any rust they found, so it’s in first-rate condition today. Yes, there are a few signs of use, because part of loving a car like this is using it as intended, but it shines up beautifully and the color seems to draw more than its fair share of admirers. This ’69 Beetle retains all the traditional styling cues, including the smaller marker lights and red taillights, the flat windshield, and simple steel bumpers, which all add to the charm. Fit and finish are typical Volkswagen, which is to say, excellent—these were inexpensive cars but they weren’t cheaply made. Screens over the headlights and a set of amber fog lights give it a sporting, European look that we like and fresh weather seals and fender welting make it feel substantial. This car certainly has a cheerful look!

The black vinyl and cloth interior isn’t quite stock but the cloth inserts make for a much more comfortable drive on warm days. There are also new black rubber floor mats, correct door panels, and the central speedometer shows crisp markings even though it’s likely original. The big steering wheel features the Wolfsburg logo on the horn button, a nod to VW’s home town. The original AM radio has been replaced by a JVC AM/FM/CD stereo unit with speakers hidden throughout the car and the familiar 4-speed manual shifter juts out of the transmission tunnel without any fanfare. Rear seat accommodations are actually comfortable for real-sized adults, making this an old car that’s surprisingly practical in today’s world. The heavily insulated convertible top was new during the restoration and lives under a custom-made black canvas boot that’s a nice upgrade over the original vinyl. The forward trunk compartment is finished with factory-style cardboard and includes a matching spare.

The familiar air-cooled flat-four was rebuilt to stock specs and professionally installed under the rear deck. It carries a new carburetor, correct Bosch ignition components, and even a factory air cleaner up top. It also features the stock hot air ducts, a big generator (1968 was the first year for a 12-volt electrical system), and new wiring. It starts easily without any fussing, and that familiar whoosh of the air-cooled VW is somehow comforting, as if you know this car will take you anywhere you want to go. There’s plenty of torque on tap to make it feel zippy around town and its reputation for being thrifty is legitimate, making this a hobby car you can own without draining your bank account. Parts are plentiful, service advice is readily available, and keeping it in peak condition is something that even a marginally handy owner can manage. This is a great place to start if you’re new to the hobby and a fun car to own if you’re already a VW fan. The floor pan is in excellent condition with no signs of rust and the 4-speed manual transmission shifts as well as any we’ve driven, although it’s still a bit vague (no avoiding that). A newer exhaust system sounds right and handling is agile enough without being brittle. Polished aluminum Minilite-style wheels add some flash and it carries fresh 165/80/15 radials that ride and handle great.

This attractive Bug is everything it appears to be—well restored, fully sorted, and very attractive. It drives as great as it looks and everyone is your friend when you’re driving a Beetle. Today, as when it was new, it’s affordable and asks for very little from its owner, so you can enjoy a trip to the past without an expensive machine to take you there. Honestly, I don’t think the guys with more expensive cars are having any more fun than you will behind the wheel of this VW. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.