Written by Owner-

We bought our '79 VW SB Convertible while stationed in Norfolk, VA in 1988.  She had 48,000 miles on the odometer at that time. Since then, I have put about 24,000 additional miles. I believe the original 48,000 miles to be true miles judging from the interior/exterior condition of the car when a bought it.  She has the original paint, Mars Red and original carpet and a working AC, which I hear is not a very common feature on a VW.  I replaced the seat covers and top about 7 years ago, bright white is a hard color to keep looking fresh. The mechanics are all original, a fuel injected 1600cc with no modifications except for a Pertronics points eliminator kit.

The previous owner bought her for his daughter when they lived in Florida. Later, they moved and drove it to Virginia Beach and shortly thereafter put it up for sale. I had been interested in getting a VW convertible for some time.  Actually, since 1986 when I first was stationed in Jacksonville FL, and I use to see them running around in the summer time with the top down; what a pretty sight.  During that time, the 79 VW convertible was a pretty common site in Florida. Of course, what better a place to own and drive a convertible...right?

Knowing that 1979 was the last year for the German beetle, (VW only produced about 19600 units in 1979-jan 1980) I set my aim on searching for that particular model year. However, the nature of my job always kept me on the move and I saw it impractical at that time to own another car that I would have to haul up and down the East Coast every time the Navy said "pack your bags!” So you can only imagine all the great deals on VW convertible that I passed up. Can't stop regretting it even-though I got lucky and found our Mars Red Beetle in Virginia some years later.  Today, I don't let practicality get in the way. I learned my lesson.  Shortly, we will be moving again and I will be hauling not one but three VWs ('54 beetle and a project 21 window bus that is about 60% completed)!