Volkswagen Beetle 1954-76 - Market Watch

Volkswagen Beetle 1954-76 – Market Watch

Cliff ChambersJune 4, 2025, 7:58 amJune 4, 2025

More than 15 million ‘Beetles’ were built during a life-span of 60 years. Nearly half of those arrived before 1967 when the car’s only significant restyle occurred.

With the notable exception of early Minis, cars that challenged the Beetle during the 1960s have failed to survive it. Even once prolific Japanese models like the early Corolla, Mazda 800 and Datsun 1000 that cut deeply into Australian VW sales are effectively extinct, yet early Volkswagens remain easy to find.

Early ‘oval window’ cars are the least common and more valuable than later models. Despite producing just 23kW they managed some impressive feats of endurance including a 1-2-3 finish in the 1955 Redex Trial, followed by wins in the 1956 and 1957 Ampol, and 1958 Mobilgas Trials.

In 1958 the Beetle received the first of several minor makeovers. Most obvious among the initial changes was a larger rear window that significantly improved vision when parking.

During 1958, a factory in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton was adapted to large-scale manufacturing and began producing Beetles with ‘Australian-made’ decals on their windows.

A year later came the 40 Horsepower (29kW) engine and all-synchro gearbox. A ‘1962 ½’ update then added double-height bumpers and new rear light clusters, seat-belt mounting points and a counterbalanced boot-lid.

Also announced was a 1200 Standard model with painted bumpers and hubcaps, no windscreen washers or fuel gauge and just one sun visor.

Reshaping and updating the Beetle for 1968 involved production of some entirely new panels, enlarging the boot and glass areas, and standing the mudguard-mounted headlamps vertically. Performance was improved by offering a 1.5-litre engine, with optional semi-automatic transmission.

The Super Bug 1600 S was launched in February 1971 at an attractive $2245 before any accessories were added. The 1.6-litre versions of the Beetle engine were still fed by a single carburettor, but power now peaked at 44kW and top speed could reach 135km/h.

From 1973 the Super Bug featured a curved windscreen and improved interior. The ’screen was a legacy of proposed USA safety legislation, but of greater benefit was long-awaited improvement to the rear suspension which no longer allowed the rear wheels to tuck under the body when cornering quickly.

As a family classic, the Beetle comes with impeccable credentials. Usable cars still cost less than $20,000 with excellent 1958-67 cars below $30,000. And they embody the kind of mechanical simplicity that makes nervous home mechanics feel confident.