Fuel for 1971 super beetle

If you can find ethanol free fuel that would be ideal. Yes you should run a lead substitute unless the engine has already been redone(hardened valve seats, valve guides and valves)to handle unleaded fuel. Regular unleaded fuel will work unless the engine has been modified with a big bore kit then midgrade is as low as you should go as far as octane rating. Hope this helps.

For engines of that vintage, you don't have to upgrade valves & seats. There are kits that replace the fuel line non-metallic parts that are susceptible to corrosion by alcohol/ethanol and if the engine runs now, I suspect that's already done. If this wasn't already done, you can do it. Then just run regular, 87 Octane or higher.