Avengers in Time: 1974, Cars: Big, City and Jeans Beetle

Wednesday, 3 August 2016

1974, Cars: Big, City and Jeans Beetle

In 1974 German car manufacturer Volkswagen presents three special editions of the Beetle for the European market: the Jeans Beetle, the City Beetle and the Big Beetle. The three cars were introduced as “Käfer der Käufer” at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The first 1974 Jeans Beetle (S761) was based on the standard 1200cc Beetle. The car, only available in “Tunisgelb” (Tunis yellow) with black trim (no chrome work), was fitted with 4.5x15 Lemmerz GT sport wheels, black side markings with the word “jeans” with matching lettering on the engine cover, and denim “jeans” seat covers with yellow coloured stitching. It was fitted with a rear window heating and a “Ludwigshafen” or “Wolfsburg” radio. The 1975 Jeans II was available in “Brilliantgelb” (Brilliant yellow) , “Marinogelb” (Marino yellow) and “Phoenixrot” (Phoenix red).

Jeans Beetle (S761)

The City Beetle (S764) was based on the 1300cc 1303 “Super” Beetle and available in “Ibizarot” (Ibiza Red), “Ontariametallic” (Ontario (blue) Metallic) and “Ischiametallic” (Ischia (green) Metallic) with “1303 City” side markings. The seats had broad woven stripes to match body colour, loop pile carpet, inertial reel seat belts, optional head restraints, “Emden” radio, vinyl padded Petri AG steering wheel, 4.5x15 sport wheels, engine cover lock, heated rear window, rubber bumper inserts, interior mirror, and reverse lights.

City Beetle (S764) in “Ibizarot”

City Beetle (S764) interior

The Big Beetle (S763), based on the 1600cc 1303 S “Super” Beetle, was available in “Moosmetallic” (Moss (green) Metallic), “Ontariametallic” (Ontario (blue) Metallic) and “Hellasmetallic” (Hellas Metallic) with “1303 Big” side markings. The car was fitted with 5½ x15 Lemmerz “GT” sport wheels, special velvet upholstery, loop pile carpet, inertial reel seat belts, wood veneer dashboard, vinyl padded steering wheel, special wooden gearshift knob, engine hood lock, heated rear window, rubber bumper inserts, and reverse lights.