1972 Volkswagen Beetle Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Volkswagen made a few minor improvements to its popular Beetle (over 15 million sold!) for 1972. The smog control system was upgraded, for instance, and a new steering column with a collapsible safety feature was added.
But the biggest news was the introduction of the limited-edition Baja Bug, which came with a dealer-installed package that included walnut dash trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, exterior side stripes, Bosch halogen driving lights, alloy wheels, and special exhaust pipes. The Super Beetle was also available for 1972.
The standard Beetle came with the 1600 four-cylinder, air-cooled engine that generated 60 horsepower, as well as a dual braking system, four-wheel independent suspension, and a flow-through ventilation system. In addition, standard features included seat belts for the driver and passengers, two-speed windshield wipers with a pneumatic washer system, swiveling sun visors, coat hooks, assist straps, folding rear seats, and luggage space under the front hood and in a three-foot carpeted compartment behind the rear seats. A convertible top was optional.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1972 Volkswagen Beetle
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 26, 2015
This car has left me stranded but only till I could figure out why. I learned everything I know about mechanics from working on this car. I have built friendships around the love of these quirky old cars. I have taken memorable "what was I thinking" road trips as a youth in this wonderful old car. These aren't mere transportation - these cars are friends and sometimes family.Jan 26, 2015
by Jakob S
Jun 05, 2011
My first car. It will always have w central place in my heart because it was my first car ever. I managed to borrow half the money from my mother and half I had saved up. I was 19 when I bought it and it was my life. I used to work, to pick up friends, to cruise the downtown and to have fun. It had trimmings on it, a special custom paint and wide rims. Started every single time, no matter what. Transmission broke down though. My bad.Jun 05, 2011
by Lauri S
Aug 07, 2010
Well, the performance in this car isn't quite big. I mean, it's '72, and with a 1.3 l engine, you can't really expect much. But the handling, it's surprisingly good. And what a blast it is to drive! I had the same feeling when I first drove this car, that when I actually got a license. New experience for me, one could say. The braking system is , well like in all old cars, a bit tough one. You really have to start pressing brakes a lot sooner than on the newer cars. But, it doesn't matter. It's understandable even.
Now the build quality.. Well, it's a german car. Built to last. And it shows. We bought that car like 7-8 years ago, and before that it had been in some old barn for 5-8 years. And just now, we decided to fix it. Well, it didn't take too long enough. :)
Sure there's rust just about pretty much everywhere, but it doesn't matter either. It adds a bit of history to it.
And we're thinking about doing a bit of interior updating. Like for example, changing the seat covers, replacing the radio with an actual working one :) and so on..
Fun Factor:: This car is lots of fun to drive. It's a bit small for taller ppl, but it's driveable for them too. Just gotta get used to it. Definitely a summer car. I wouldn't drive it on the winter, with like -20C at the outside would mean just about the same temperature in the car too.
And yes, I would recommend this beauty to a friend, because of all the excitement I had driving, would probably occure to them too.
Had to give 4 stars out of 5 though, because of the brakes and a bit of the performance.
Buy A Volkswagen Beetle '68-'73! You Won't Regret It! :DAug 07, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 26, 2015
This car has left me stranded but only till I could figure out why. I learned everything I know about mechanics from working on this car. I have built friendships around the love of these quirky old cars. I have taken memorable "what was I thinking" road trips as a youth in this wonderful old car. These aren't mere transportation - these cars are friends and sometimes family.Jan 26, 2015
by Jakob S
Jun 05, 2011
My first car. It will always have w central place in my heart because it was my first car ever. I managed to borrow half the money from my mother and half I had saved up. I was 19 when I bought it and it was my life. I used to work, to pick up friends, to cruise the downtown and to have fun. It had trimmings on it, a special custom paint and wide rims. Started every single time, no matter what. Transmission broke down though. My bad.Jun 05, 2011
by Lauri S
Aug 07, 2010
Well, the performance in this car isn't quite big. I mean, it's '72, and with a 1.3 l engine, you can't really expect much. But the handling, it's surprisingly good. And what a blast it is to drive! I had the same feeling when I first drove this car, that when I actually got a license. New experience for me, one could say. The braking system is , well like in all old cars, a bit tough one. You really have to start pressing brakes a lot sooner than on the newer cars. But, it doesn't matter. It's understandable even.
Now the build quality.. Well, it's a german car. Built to last. And it shows. We bought that car like 7-8 years ago, and before that it had been in some old barn for 5-8 years. And just now, we decided to fix it. Well, it didn't take too long enough. :)
Sure there's rust just about pretty much everywhere, but it doesn't matter either. It adds a bit of history to it.
And we're thinking about doing a bit of interior updating. Like for example, changing the seat covers, replacing the radio with an actual working one :) and so on..
Fun Factor:: This car is lots of fun to drive. It's a bit small for taller ppl, but it's driveable for them too. Just gotta get used to it. Definitely a summer car. I wouldn't drive it on the winter, with like -20C at the outside would mean just about the same temperature in the car too.
And yes, I would recommend this beauty to a friend, because of all the excitement I had driving, would probably occure to them too.
Had to give 4 stars out of 5 though, because of the brakes and a bit of the performance.
Buy A Volkswagen Beetle '68-'73! You Won't Regret It! :DAug 07, 2010
by Toby B
Jan 01, 2010
first car i bought build it from the ground up no interior or engine just transmision and original two tone paint orange and white with oem rims itt was a super beetle and wish i could had finished it and get it running .Jan 01, 2010
by Anonymous
Nov 22, 2009
Great car
steerings a little light (needs fixing)
Body straght
engine runs like a dream
build quality is great wolfsburg did a great job of the build
(previous owner was a little destructive when it came to the care of his cars)Nov 22, 2009
by John C
Oct 23, 2009
The noise, looks and feeling of speed when the supercharger
winds up and the bug takes off :-) Cheap to run and insure
this is a beautiful car and makes me smile every day i drive it.
Does a great impression of a supercharged spitfire engine
when its reved up as well.Oct 23, 2009
by Sandi S
Jan 18, 2009
A superb piece of motoring history! She's fun, she's loud & she's bold! You can't help but smile behind the wheel of a bug. She may not have the best heater, but watch the faces of the new flash car owners, smirking as you unfreeze the doorlocks. But once you're in, she'll start first time!Jan 18, 2009
by Abdelaziz E
Sep 26, 2008
Performance – poor acceleration, good braking, excellent handling
Build Quality – it needs repairs from time to time [due to age]? squeaks/rattles depending on your maintenance
Appearance – both interior and exterior styling a league of it's own
Cost of Ownership – gas mileage, maintenance, extremely cost effective
Fun Factor – this is the best car to driveSep 26, 2008
by Aaron B
Aug 22, 2008
one of the best cars ever built and is quite reliable. engines are easy to run cheap on gas. can be modded with suspension interior and MAJOR engine mods. also a good head turning gets a lot of attention from the ladies and not only that but just envied in generalAug 22, 2008
by Jeff S
Jul 18, 2008
This is my third bug, and she's probably the one I have the most affection for!
I bought her in Cornwall, England. And over the last four years I've slowly been restoring her, she's now lowered to the floor at the front, and I've added camber at the rear to achieve a raked stance.
She sits on original steelies that I had banded.
She only has a little 1300 lump in her at the mo, at some point this year, I will transplant a 1600 for a bit of extra punch :)
Jul 18, 2008
by Gabriel C
May 23, 2008
This was the car that started it all. I learned how to fix, and modify cars with this girl. i must have polished the paint off of this one. she was so much fun, small and nimble, and feisty. I remember the started died and I learned to bump start it by myself, in reverse, up a hill. Drop top love. I see them still on the street and long to have one again eventually.May 23, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 14, 2008
Wanted on since I was a kid. I just bought one today. Needs a clutch,horn,mirrors and minor engine work. Not worried though, driving it is so fun! If there was ever a car I would want to keep this is it. I got it for only 700 bucks, cant wait to fix it up!!Apr 14, 2008
by Nick F
Apr 10, 2008
Not great for daily use and not amazing performance but thats not the point, its a fun, unique car which looks retro and sounds like an american muscle! So not great for running from the FEDS.
Apr 10, 2008
by Naomi E
Mar 28, 2008
I learned to drive a manual in this vehicle.Mar 28, 2008
by Jonathan L
Mar 23, 2008
72 beetle that i am making into a 66 as much as possible. now has a swing axle tranny, 66
vert decklid and early fenders and lights. the interior has also been done to resemble an
earlier car. Mar 23, 2008
by Eric S
Mar 10, 2008
This car saved my but when I needed it to. I was flying down to Miami on the Florida turnpike and I came around the bend to see 2 Florida State Troopers standing in the road, pointing at cars and motioning them to pull over. They pointed at me, then figured there was no way I could be speeding and waved me on. I know I was pushing 65mph, loved the car for that reason alone.Mar 10, 2008
by Karl N
Jan 03, 2008
amazing car to drive. i get lots of attention every time i drive it. Jan 03, 2008
by Colin R
Jan 01, 2008
This was my first car - bought when I was 16. All the work was carried out by myself and my father - Volksworld Magazine called it the 90's version of the trad-cal-look, and I was pretty pleased with that!Jan 01, 2008
by Charlene F
Dec 29, 2007
The 1972 Volkswagen SuperBeetle is a bit different from the 1973 like I had previously. There is "barely" a dash, and the windshield is much smaller. Drives better, however.Dec 29, 2007
by Michelle D
Nov 19, 2007
I thought this would be a good idea for a 2nd car - clearly I had a lot to learn. It was either too hot and you stuck to the seats or when it was raining it was a death wish.
It was in the best condition ever - only done 90,000 miles by the one lady owner - its true I swear. I got stupid money for it when I sold it so overall it was worthwhile.Nov 19, 2007
by Anonymous
Aug 29, 2007
i use to have a 1969 then a 1970 beetle about 18 years ago. now i own a 1972 beetle and i just love it. Aug 29, 2007
by Anonymous
Aug 06, 2007
I love her, My 1972 super was the first car I purchased, and I treasure her. very reliable, if not rather grumpy when its cold out, she is hard to start at those times. I love the attention I get when driving her, it seems as though everyone has had a bug at some point.Aug 06, 2007
by Anonymous
May 10, 2007
Hello.
I have to say, you are either a VW person --or not a VW person. It is black or it is white. You either love them --or you hate them. There is no in between!
I love them. Why? Because they are so much FUN!!!
I named my '72 Beetle "Precious" because that is exactly what she is to me... very precious. At the same time, I am learning just how different she is from other cars. Much as my husband is learning how different a '53 Chrysler is from a '55 ---anything! (LOL) Whether it is an air-cooled engine,(VW) or a 6-volt positive ground ('53 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe)that might cause you to stutter once in a while, the good times in between more than make up for it!
We love cars. That is how we met --he asked me out to a car show --and I finally said, yes...and the rest is (cliche) "history". We got hitched Valentine's Day of this year, 2007. Bob is 56 and I am 50 --and we are having the time of our lives with our cars, car shows, and let us not forget.............NHRA!!! (Yipee!)
VW's beat the heck out of anything on the road as far as gas mileage goes. And even a Beetle-hater has to love that. Classic cars have a history: Whether good old American Steel or Italian Flair, British Quirks, or German/Swedish Brains...they all need to preserved, restored and respected . . .as real cars with real engines (no computers!)
But that's just me... :)
LadyzBug 72May 10, 2007
1972 Volkswagen Beetle Pricing
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