Export markets excluding North America:
Paint and upholstery:
L10B (08) Texasgelb / Texas Yellow, Black (50) (basket weave pattern leatherette)
L21E (23) Blutorange / Blood Orange / Tangerine, Black (50) (basket weave pattern leatherette)
L65K (33) Ravennagrün / Ravenna Green, Black (50) (basket weave pattern leatherette)
(Texasgelb was a normal 1973 model year colour for the Beetle. The other two colours were 1973 Karmann palette colours not normally used on standard production Beetles and were therefore finished with black, instead of paint colour matched, plastic beading between the body and wings).
Technical Data :
Not known
Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:
Not known
Context:
The S 759 Sonderaktion *Black is Beautiful* remains an Edition we know virtually nothing about. It is listed in the Volkswagen parts system as:
S 759 Sonderaktion *Black is Beautiful*
ab Fg.Nr. 113 2606 864 bis 133 3200 999 Export, nicht
USA, Kanada 111 – 114
ab Fg.Nr. 113 2606 864 bis 133 3200 999 Export, nicht
USA, Kanada 1303: 135, 136
The paint colours we have recorded against the Edition name from research, Chris Barber contributed to the 1983 series of articles that he and Stephen Hardy wrote for “Volkswagen Audi CAR” Magazine. Chris contributed research to those articles on the the German “inland” and mainland Europe “export” SEBs, whilst Stephen contributed research on the “export” SEB supplied to British and on the North American SEBs. (for more background information reading see below).
Notwithstanding the information listed in the Volkswagen system, evidence came to light in July 2022 with further information in June 2025 that the Edition was also produced in a North American conformity version as well. This evidence is in the form of a well-documented, fully provenanced example that was originally exported to Puerto Rico and now resident in the United States since 2022. The factory computer print-out sheet that comes with this car clearly illustrates within its build list the option 759 = S 759 Sonderaktion “Black is Beautiful” and M 976 4½J x 15 (Lemmerz) “Sports” wheels.
Other factory build options listed support US type approval conformity, together with the fitting of M 559 Apron front with louvres for later installation of air conditioning. So:
Export markets requiring USA conformity approval:
Paint and Upholstery:
L65K (33) Ravennagrün / Ravenna Green, Black (50) velour cloth faced
(Ravennagrün was a Karmann palette colour not normally used on standard production Beetle saloons.)
Accent to the paintwork was provided by all-black external trim and bumper trim tape, colour-coded to the paintwork.
Technical Data:
1600cc typ.133 (“Super Beetle”) badged “Volkswagen”
Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:
Distinctive special paint finish that included paint matched finish to bumpers trim, satin black exterior trim.
M 094 = Handle for rear hood, lockable
M 132 = Deformation element
M 559 = Vented front apron
M 618 = Unknown
M 780 = Unknown
M 976 = 4½J x 15 (ET 34) (Lemmerz “GT”) sports style wheels.
Sales Literature:
None known.
Further reading on this website:
Introduction to the Spring Messenger Group of Editions.
“Retrospectively Speaking” editorial columns RS 004 and RS 005
Photos: Hector A Cruz.
