1974 Fun Bug

Country and/or Category: South Africa | VIN range: not known | S-code(s): not known |
Extras/Options M-code(s): not known

Paint and Upholstery:

Hibiscus (red) (**) / black leatherete
Sunset Yellow (11) / black leatherette
Nugget Gold (**) / black leatherette

(South African Volkswagen paint colours were unique to that local market)

Accent to the paintwork was provided by all black external trim (inclusive of the frames of the opening rear side windows)

Technical Data:

1600cc  typ. 114S  badged VW_1600_L

Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:

VDO instrument panels replacing the grill panels either side of the speedometer and housing VDO ‘Cockpit’ style gauges:  to the left –  52mmØ oil pressure gauge above voltmeter, to the right – 80mm Ø tachometer.
Sports “bucket” front seats with separate head restraints
Petri AG sports steering wheel
Sports gearshift
Center tunnel tray
Opening rear side windows with satin black, rather than standard chromed, fames
Chrome taper tip exhaust pipes
Black waist-line stripe
“Fun Bug” decals.
4½J x15” Rostyle ‘sports’ wheels with 155SRx15 Radial ply tyres

Context:

The Fun Bug was in some respects the South African equivalent of the North American Sports Bug. With a dealership launch of April 1974 it was sold through to July of that year ahead of the 1975 models with their front turn signal indicator lights relocated into the front bumper. As such is carried “one year only” large North American style turn signal on the front wings.

Many of the standard fittings of the South African Kewer / Beetle were unique to Uitenhage production*.

In addition to the special package “Fun Bug” features customers also qualified for a free plastic Fun Bug wallet for the VW Handbook, Dealer map etc.

1600 examples of the Fun Bug were produced by Volkswagen of South Africa (PTY) Ltd. at Uitenhage, South Africa.

Sales Literature:

The Fun Bug sales campaign was supported by fully detailed, well illustrated sales literature supplemented with similar material for dealership consumption.

Further reading on this website:

 * SA 1.0 The Special Edition Beetles manufactured in Volkswagen of South Africa (PTY) Ltd.’s Uitenhage factory 1973 – 1978

SA 1.1 Paint colours of the Special Edition Beetles manufactured in Volkswagen of South Africa (PTY) Ltd.’s Uitenhage factory 1973 – 1978 

Information souces include Volkswagen Audi CAR Magazine “The Special Beetles Pt.1 – The South African Special Editions”, 1983.

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This page last modified: 2021-06-21