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Description

Available in the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet collection, this 1973 model has always been Italian, with black license plates from the first registration in the province of Milan. It is in a beautiful white color with a white hood and black interior. The body and interior are in excellent condition, as are the mechanics. Ready to drive.

Model history and curiosity

The 1973 Volkswagen Beetle 1303 Cabriolet (known in the United States and other markets as the Super Beetle) is one of the most iconic, mature, and technically advanced versions of the Beetle in its entire history. 1973 was a pivotal year, marking the debut of the 1303 series, which introduced radical changes compared to the classic 1960s models to meet the stringent American safety regulations of the time.

The key details that characterize this specific model are:
- The panoramic windshield: It is visibly curved and rounded, no longer flat. This served to distance the glass from the passengers' faces in the event of a crash and improve aerodynamics.
- The modern dashboard: Inside, a protruding dashboard made of impact-resistant (padded) plastic debuted, abandoning the traditional exposed sheet metal. The instruments are grouped into a single large circular element in front of the driver.
- The "elephant-foot" rear lights: In 1973, large, round taillights were introduced, significantly more visible than the small ones of previous years.

The 1303 series also featured MacPherson strut front suspension, which dramatically improved comfort and steering precision and doubled the space in the front trunk, allowing the spare tire to be stowed flat. It also featured semi-trailing arm rear suspension (IRS), which avoided the abrupt camber changes typical of older models when the rear end was lightened, making the car much more stable and responsive when cornering.

The 1.3-liter engine offers excellent balance for relaxed cruising. It's a classic, air-cooled, flat-four, with a central camshaft and overhead valves. It delivers 44 hp; it's not lightning-fast, but it's an extremely robust, flexible engine with an unmistakable sound and a single Solex carburetor.

The convertible models were not assembled directly by Volkswagen, but by Karmann in Osnabrück, with excellent build quality. The Karmann Beetle's soft top is renowned for its exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation. It features a multilayer structure (five layers, including internal padding) that, when closed, makes the car almost as comfortable as a sedan. When the top is opened, it doesn't disappear completely into the body of the car, but folds neatly at the rear, creating the characteristic and unmistakable profile of vintage VW convertibles.

The 1973 1303 Cabriolet is a highly sought-after model today. While less "retro" in its details than a 1960s convertible, it offers significantly superior handling, better brakes, and a modern 12-volt electrical system with alternator, making it perfect and highly enjoyable for rallies and summer trips.

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