Yesterday and Today: Volkswagen’s 1968 and 2003 Beetle Convertibles

by Sam Barer

Yesterday and Today: Volkswagen’s 1968 and 2003 Beetle Convertibles

I have known Doris Abel for over twenty years. When she joined my father’s law practice as a legal secretary she had already owned her 1968 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible for almost fifteen years.

Doris retired last year, but the Beetle still works and is her only automobile. So when a just-released 2003 New Beetle Convertible was dropped off at my house, I arranged to bring the car up to Bellevue to meet Doris and her original example.

It seems unfathomable that the cute VW was actually Adolph Hitler’s brainchild. Hitler credited America’s success to the mobilization of its citizens via Henry Ford’s affordable Model T. The Fuhrer specified that the German “people’s car” needed aerodynamic streamlining like a beetle’s body for efficient running on the in-progress Autobahn, and even completed initial sketches before commissioning engineer Dr. Ferdinand Porsche to produce the concept.

The production 1946 Volkswagen Type I Beetle received international attention for its radical design formula. Built on an all steel platform chassis featuring independent torsion-bar suspension, the rear-mounted air-cooled flat-four cylinder engine drove the rear wheels. When the Convertible debuted in 1953 for $1995, the Beetle had already proven itself as a rugged, reliable family car capable of all-day top-speed cruising, just shy of 70MPH.

Doris Abel’s white 1968 Beetle is a perfect example of an original, unmodified Convertible. Purchased on the east coast, its first owner immediately drove it across country, and just months later sold it to its current owner. Like all Beetle Convertibles, this car wears the Karmann badge indicating its coachbuilder. Additionally it is one of the small percentage with an “Automatic” emblem, indicating an optional two-speed automatic gearbox that harnesses the 1500cc engine’s galloping 53 horsepower.

Parked next to each other, the New Beetle’s appearance is unmistakably derived from the original, with a combination of 1940s aerodynamics and 21st century techno. Like its Mini Cooper competitor, the New Beetle is retro-cool, cute, sporty and muscular. Heads turn quick enough to cause whiplash when it drives by. Beyond looks however, where the new Mini stays true to tradition, the New Beetle is nothing like the first Type I Beetles.

Purists open the New Beetle’s tiny trunk and scream “who stole the engine?” Then comes “what the heck is a radiator doing in this car?” 2003 Beetles are all front-engined, water-cooled and front wheel drive. This car has the standard 2.0 liter 115hp four cylinder engine, which produces dismal acceleration. The optional 150hp 1.8 liter turbo powerplant is highly recommended. Like the 1968 version, it features an automatic transmission, this one with six forward speeds, plus the ability to shift manually via Tiptronic. The rear offers an extremely small trunk with room only for one duffle bag.

On this clear, chilly and windy day, the “Mellow Yellow” New Beetle Convertible is a great place to be. The interior is quite comfortable with nice leather seats boasting the industry’s toastiest five-setting bottom-warmers. The heater also blows hot, allowing the top to be dropped in colder weather. Lowering the top involves twisting a horribly designed latch, but a powered system does the rest. The dash is attractive with its single circular housing containing a large speedometer, and tiny tach and fuel readouts.

The original Beetle is more functional than luxurious. Its black vinyl comfort-weave high-back seats are supportive. Unlike the new car’s deep (and really awkward) dash area in front of the driver, the 1968’s windshield sprouts directly behind the large diameter, thin black rimmed steering wheel. A single, large circular speedometer dominates the dashboard. For open-air motoring, two latches must be released before manually pushing the top back.

The 1968 Beetle’s engine emits the typical air-cooled thrashy sound. With its lack of horsepower and torque, acceleration is relaxed. Braking requires a stronger foot than modern cars. Even without power assist, steering is light thanks to the lack of weight over the front axle. The rear weight bias does mean tricky oversteer characteristics if pushed through corners. In contrast, the front-engine platform on modern Beetles yields superb handling and much safer understeer.

With 126,002 miles on the odometer, it’s apparent Doris Abel drives sparingly, choosing the bus for the years commuting into Seattle. Serviced regularly, the vehicle has been very reliable. Though she likes the looks of the New Beetle, she can’t imagine buying one. At roughly $25,000, she thinks it’s like other new cars: too expensive.

Which is why she hopes to keep driving her Beetle forever.

Sam Barer writes for Apex, an Olympia, WA based freelance writing company. To submit a car for a future “Sound Classics” story, email soundclassics@apexstrategy.com

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