Volkswagen fans recently learned that 2010 would be the last year of production for the current New Beetle Coupe and Convertible, after a successful 12-year production run. Now while 12 years of the same basic car may be an eternity in modern times, it pales in comparison to the legendary longevity of the New Beetle's inspiration, its namesake predecessor. The original Volkswagen was built in soft-top form from the late 1940s through 1979, and the last Super Beetle Convertibles were sold in America in 1980 for an impressive $6,800.
The Super Beetle dated back to 1971, and was distinguished by its coil spring and MacPherson strut front suspension, which allowed a flat spare tire placement and more luggage space under a taller front trunklid. In 1973, the Super Beetle received a taller, curved windshield backed by a modern-style padded dashboard, side impact protection door bars and larger taillamps. Electronically controlled Bosch Air Flow Control fuel injection raised the 1,585cc engine's horsepower to 48 in 1975, and standard full carpeting, a rear window defogger, dash woodgrain appliqué and two-coat metallic paint would give the soft-top a mini luxury-car feel. A series of paint and trim special editions were unveiled in the late 1970s--''Triple White,'' ''Champagne Edition'' and ''Epilog''--and the last Karmann-built soft-top bug rolled off the line on January 10, 1980, then headed straight into Volkswagen's AutoMuseum in Wolfsburg.
source: http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2010/08/01/hmn_feature3.html
http://www.cooksupholstery.com
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