This is a scanned version of a print-era story from The Times that was published before internet publication began in 1996. The Times does not change, edit, or update these articles in order to maintain their original form.
The digitization process can occasionally result in transcription errors or other issues, but we are constantly working to make these preserved copies better.
DETROIT, 15 DEC
The second price hike for Volkswagen’s 1971 Beetle models was announced today.
The retail price of the 1971 Super Beetle at both ends of the country’s borders was $1,985. On the West Coast, where the German automobile line faces increasingly fierce competition from American mini-autos and Japanese imports, there will now be an increase of only $1, compared to a 4.5% increase, or $86, on the East Coast.
A less expensive 1971 Beetle version was increased from $1,780 in the East to $1,840 in the West to $1,845 on both coasts.
The model had an East Coast list price of $1,839 and a West Coast price of $1,924 in the 1970 line, which included just one Beetle model instead of two. These rates did not include dealer preparation fees, inland shipment costs, or additional equipment costs.
Prices for other Volkswagen models were increased by up to $200, with East Coast price increases being significantly bigger. Volkswagen blamed the increases on a 12% pay increase as well as generally higher part pricing in Germany.
Just under half of the sales of imported cars are accounted for by V.W., which reported 535,000 sales in the United States in the first 11 months of this year. One out of every seven new cars sold in the US is a Volkswagen.
The figure is closer to one in four on the West Coast, although Japanese automakers Toyota and Datsun are making significant strides there. This year, these two businesses claimed 270 000 deliveries in the US, an increase from 160 000 during the first 11 months of 1969.
In This Article...
What is the fuel economy of a 1970 Volkswagen Bug?
MPG for a 1970 Volkswagen Beetle The 1970 Volkswagen Beetle achieves a combined average MPG of 22.03 with a 0.57 MPG margin of error, according to data from 20 vehicles, 639 fuel stops, and 100,383 miles of driving.
A 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle has how much horsepower?
For 1972, Volkswagen made a few little upgrades to the well-liked Beetle (nearly 15 million were sold!). For instance, a new steering column with a collapsible safety feature was introduced. The pollution control system was also improved.
The launch of the limited-edition Baja Bug, which came with a dealer-installed kit that included walnut console trim, leather-wrapped steering, exterior side stripes, Bosch halogen driving lights, alloy wheels, and unique exhaust pipes, was the biggest news, though. In 1972, the Super Beetle was also an option.
The standard Beetle had a dual braking system, four-wheel independent suspension, and a flow-through ventilation system in addition to the 1600 four-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produced 60 horsepower. Seat belts for the driver and passengers were also included in the list of standard features, along with two-speed wipers and a pneumatic washer system for the windshield, swiveling sun visors, coat hooks, assist straps, foldable rear seats, and luggage space both under the front hood and in a three-foot carpeted compartment behind the rear seats. Optional convertible top.
What is the value of a 1972 Beetle?
The Sunroof Sedan climbed to $1999, while the standard Beetle Sedan remained at $1780. The price of the Cabriolet increased to $2599, while the Super Beetle went up to $2159.
How much is a VW bus with 21 windows worth?
The 1959 Volkswagen Deluxe 23-window Samba “Woods Find” that Mecum will auction off on August 18th, 2017 (Lot F86). The Samba won “Best Luxury Bus” at the Vintage Volkswagen Club of America Show on April 23 and comes with 400 photos documenting its redemptive journey from being abandoned in the Oregon Woods to becoming one of the stars of the most prestigious automotive event on Earth. It has only traveled 200 miles since a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration. Sale Description
One of the iconic symbols of the 1960s’ personal independence has seen its worth rise so swiftly over the past five years that many owners might not be aware that their car’s value would soon surpass that of their home. A 21-window Volkswagen Samba sold last Saturday, January 21, 2017, for $302,500, showing that the trend is accelerating even more.
The highest-priced Volkswagen Samba van ever sold at auction, this 21-window model fetched $302,500 on January 21, 2017.
History of the 1968-1979 Volkswagen Beetle
The first significant modifications to the VW Beetle were made as a result of U.S. government restrictions, not at the request of VW engineers. The lovely ivory steering wheel was swapped out for a dull black four-spoke model, and the charming painted dash was replaced with a black padded one “made for safety. Around this period, as well, other nice touches like the contrasting seat piping disappeared. A strange option available at the time on both the Karmann-Ghia and Beetle was a clutchless semi-automatic transmission known as a “Stickshift in auto. Thankfully, the renowned VW quality persisted until the very end, by which time the United States only offered the cabriolet. Up until recently, production was still taking place in Mexico and Brazil. Volkswagens with air cooling are quite simple to operate on and maintain, and parts are reasonably priced and simple to acquire. Any Beetle is a fantastic first collecting vehicle.
Volkswagen Beetle Info
- Size: 158.7 inches.
- Weight at curb: 1742 lbs.
- Added Information
- Body Forms
- 2 door sedan
- Two-door Sunroof Sedan
- 12-85cc/4-cyl, 50-hp, 1-bbl
- 1493cc/53hp, 4 cyl, 1 bbl
- two-door convertible
- 94.5″ is the wheel base.
- Vehicle Types
- 4 cylinder, 1192cc, 34 horsepower, 1bbl
How many MPG can a 1971 VW Beetle achieve?
MPG for a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle The 1971 Volkswagen Beetle achieves a combined average MPG of 22.81 with a margin of error of 0.53 MPG, according on data from 10 vehicles, 376 fill-ups, and 65,094 miles of driving.
How much horsepower can a 1600cc VW engine produce?
Brake Mean Effective Pressure, or how well the engine breathes, determines torque. This BMEP is rev-dependent, but a skilled engine builder can put the appropriate pieces together with some effort to operate just where he wants to create maximum torque. To ensure proper cylinder filling, cylinder head repair will be essential in this situation.
A road automobile with a more powerful engine should be able to produce 100 bhp/litre, whereas a respectable but mildly modified engine should be able to produce 65 bhp/litre (104 bhp for 1600 cc). These numbers are greater than the advice given for air-cooled motors, which, to be honest, is based on 40-year-old thinking. The results will be far better than what is conventionally predicted, according to modern ideas of tuning. For instance, modern tuning knowledge states that better cylinder filling is obtained utilizing 65% with a flat bottom to the port to accelerate the gas into the cylinder as opposed to conventional wisdom which states that the port diameter should be 85% of the valve head diameter. How many cylinder heads have you seen on that kind of VW aircooled vehicle? Such heads include CB wedge port heads. Similar to how many vintage heads had minor port swirl, contemporary heads have it.
How quickly can a VW Beetle travel?
The Volkswagen Beetle is beloved for its distinctively curved appearance and cultural significance, but most people are probably unaware of its excellent performance, especially when equipped with the powerful R-Line variant. In light of this, you might wonder what the Volkswagen Beetle’s top speed is. To learn the solution, continue reading.
Volkswagen Beetle LSRFastest Beetle Ever
The VW Beetle LSR (Land Speed Record) has surpassed its own highest speed record of 205 mph in Utah’s renowned Bonneville Salt Flats. Preston Lerner, a contributing editor for Automobile magazine, operated the vehicle during the USFRA 2016 World of Speed competition.
Old VW Beetles – are they fuel-efficient?
MPG for a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle The 1968 Volkswagen Beetle achieves a combined average MPG of 22.74 with a 0.38 MPG margin of error, according to data from 24 vehicles, 756 fuel stops, and 120,329 miles of driving.
Do VW Beetles cost a much to maintain?
A Volkswagen Beetle’s yearly maintenance costs average around $610, which is slightly more than the average for compact cars ($520) but less than the average for all vehicle models ($650).