Pick of the Day: 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle

They say familiarity breeds contempt. If that were 100 percent true, then perhaps our Pick of the Day wouldn’t be one of the world’s most popular cars—both new and antique. As it so happens, familiar cars can transcend this quirk of human nature and stay in our good graces. This 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle is listed in ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Phoenix.

Perhaps the design of the Volkswagen Type 1 changed little, but there are many variations during its lifetime. Maybe you know about early “split-window” cars or how U.S. regulations demanded proper parking lights for the front end but are in the dark with what made a Super Beetle super. The answer is quite simple: after the 1968 restyle, Volkswagen continued to marginally improve the Beetle as before but introduced a new Type 1 model called the Super Beetle for 1971.

Volkswagen bragged that the Super Beetle gained 155 pounds, but not for the sake of the precious sensibilities of those tired of the air-cooled racket—rather, it was due to “90 meaningful improvements” that included three additional inches in length due to eschewing the torsion-bar front suspension for McPherson struts to improve ride and handling. The front trunk increased in size (almost double!) as a result, leading to front-end styling that’s subtly different than the standard Beetle.

Then there was the door-to-door carpeting, flow-through ventilation system with two-speed blower, telescoping steering wheel, and electric rear-window defogger, enlarged brake drums, and an additional three horsepower, among others.

Yes, the Volkswagen Beetle was the impetus for such cars as the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair, Ford Falcon, and Valiant (initially a brand of its own before being folded under the Plymouth banner). The Corvair was the only one that was as technically as interesting the Beetle, but Chevrolet saw fit to create the Chevy II for 1962 as mainstream engineering trumped all, leaving the Europeans (and, soon, the Japanese) to duke it out while raising the technical bar.

And that’s the beauty of this Shantung Yellow 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle—it filled a need, yet satisfies another in its twilight years. It has received a comprehensive, frame-off restoration. According to the seller, “It looks and drives pretty much like new. No expense spared in nut and bolt rotisserie restoration by Lenny Copp/West Coast Classic Restoration,” adding, “Brought back…with the highest quality factory spec stock basketweave black interior.” As this California/Arizona car has been in dry climate all its life, its body and chassis have been rust-free throughout its lifetime. Mechanical restoration includes rebuilt 1600cc dual port engine, clutch, transaxle, suspension, and electrical and brake systems. All lenses (including the license plate light) are NOS OEM German Hella, and this Super Beetle comes the original German Bilstein jack, toolkit, very nice original owner’s manual, and an Owners Workshop Manual . . . you get the idea.

If you pay $26,500 and drive off into the sunset, chances are you may see another Beetle on the road, but it won’t be as nice as this one. One thing’s for sure: your new Bug will receive the admiration of all.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com