Final Feature 2: 1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible – SOLD!

June 11, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this VW Beetle “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The automotive industry proved with several examples to never Say, “Never Again.” when it came to convertibles.  In 1976, Cadillac encouraged Eldorado buyers to scoop up two (i.e. one for now, one for later) of their ‘Last American Convertibles. Frantic buying ensued and values remained high until Cadillac duped them just eight years later when they re-launched a right-sized Eldorado Convertible for 1984.  The same phenomenon occurred with Volkswagen’s Beetle convertible in 1979. By that year, VW engineers did about all they could with a 1930’s car design to meet the modern U.S. emissions standards with the already anemic four-cylinder air-cooled engine. With a modern basket-hooped Rabbit Cabriolet ready to take the Beetle convertible’s place, speculators began buying and storing the all-white final editions.  Unfortunately, the value of ’79s plummeted when VW re-launched the New Beetle convertible in 2003.

Consequently, people started driving ’79 Beetles once they weren’t worth so much and we believe that’s the case with this restored 38K mile example originally listed inMay 2021 on Craigslist in Warwick, Rhode Island offered at $12,995 currently. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Beetle priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair’ (Daily Driver) estimate of $10,200 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $17,700.  Interestingly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $12,075 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $19,550.

With everything report to be new despite only having a claimed 38K original miles, we would love to hear the story about this example of a final year of air-cooled Beetle.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle Karmann Convertible, Triple White, 4-Speed, Fuel Injected, Only 38,000 Original Miles, 2-Owner Car, Fully Restored, Never Rusted, The Underside Is As Clean As The Top Of The Car, Everything Is New, Drives Perfect, Restored 2 Years Ago. New Top, New Interior.“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored Super Beetle convertible?  Comment below and let us know!