Paint and Upholstery: L80E Hellelfenbein/Light Ivory (11) paintwork (black fender beading), Light Sand (V3) cabriolet hood, Opal white (53 or 67) upholstery (square weave pattern).
Technical Data: 1600cc typ.153 badged “FUEL INJECTION”.
Factory Fitted Optional Equipment: 41⁄2Jx15 Lemmerz “GT” sports wheels, steel belted radial tires (without white walls), padded steering wheel with silver embellished horn pad, 44U Rosenholz / Rosewood imitation veneer dashboard trim, eventually dash plaque with VW logo reading ‘1976 Limited Edition Bicentennial Convertible’.
Context: It was assigned as the “Bicentennial Convertible” promotion identity by VWoA for which no sales brochure appears to have been published. 1,000 produced, reportedly one car made available to each VW Dealer during June 1976 celebrating the US American Revolution Bicentennial.
The first reference to this model is a report in the “Report from America” regular feature by Bill Schwartzberg in the August 1976 issue of SAFER MOTORING Magazine. This report entry was almost certainly based on a VWoA Press Release:
“Exclusively for the American market – a US edition of the VW convertible. Unlike standard soft top Beetles it has special ivory paint, a white interior, an off white top, steel belted radial tyres on sports rims, a four -spoke steering wheel with padded rim, and a wood grain fascia. Only 1,000 of this model will be available in America.”
Given that the Press Release mentioned above was published in the August Edition of a UK magazine that would have been laid out in late June or early July coupled with the time lag for the Report to have been written and sent from the USA it is reasonable deduction that S739 Edition was a late series ’76 model although not late enough perhaps to have been upholstered in BZ7 OPAL-67.
Reference to the VW Parts Manual for the 1302/1303 lists the Light Sand hood material as:
8/72 > 256 Hellsand, Hell brochure code ( _ 31 _ ) later ( _V3_ )
Reference to the VW Parts Manual for the 1302/1303 lists two OPAL upholstery material:
BM2 OPAL-53 8/75 – 5/76
BZ7 OPAL-67 6/76 – 7/76
Above first car features a custom interior by original owner famous businessman James Gaylord. With the addition of – tachometer, oil pressure, voltmeter, ammeter, compass, under dash CB, CB/radio power antenna, altimeter(!). The second owner has added various period correct VW accessories including air horns, chrome wheel covers etc.
See also Champagne Edition, Triple White, New Beetle Triple White.
Information and pictures courtesy Ron Paster
