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 came from research by the late Chris Barber and Stephen Hardy for their joint contribution series of articles about the SEBeetles for “Volkswagen Audi CAR” Magazine circa 1983.
Until 2025 – that is 25 years after this website first appeared on the internet – all we knew about the Edition was its Volkswagen parts listing and those paint colours.
Then in June 2025 irrefutable evidence came to light about a car owned by Hector A Cruz from the USA first seen on social media in July 2022. Evidence by way of the factory computer print-out slip still remaining in the car. This slip clearly illustrates within its build list the option 759 = S 759 Sonderaktion “Black is Beautiful” and M 976 4½J x 15 (Lemmerz) “Sports” wheels as well as build options consistent with US type approval conformity, together with the fitting of M 559 Apron front with louvres for later installation of air conditioning. The provenance of the car includes confirmation that its original export destination was Puerto Rico.
It was then a major surprise to us when in November 2025 current owner Jani Haavisto from Finland posted photos of his typ.113 Finnish market S 759 Sonderaktion “Black is Beautiful” on our dedicated Facebook Group. Again this car was fully provenanced including that all important evidence of the car’s factory computer print-out slip. Between them these two rare time capsule examples have contributed a significant amount of information that is rewriting this chapter of our documentation of SEBeetles production history. In doing so both cars are, currently, unique examples and each bring previously unknown facts to light:
The Finnish typ.113 example reaffirms information in the official Volkswagen Sonderaktion listings that such a model did reach production whilst illustrating that this is the only known SEBeetle to form a bridging link between the black trimmed (spartan) typ.111/112 “1200” SEBs and chrome trimmed typ.113/114 1600cc “VW_1300_S” Editions that were paired together in some sales campaigns. This because it has the black external trim of the spartan “1200” SEB combined with the more ‘lux’ “1300” bodywork that was the base for the “VW_1300_S” SEBs inclusive of, amongst other items, fully headlining and padded dashboard.
The Puerto Rican typ.133 example rewrites SEB history in that it sits outside of, but now adds to, to our growing cataloguing based originally on the official Volkswagen Sonderaktion listings.
Analysis of both of the ARBEITSANWEISUNG factory computer print-out slips throws up the fascinating fact that these two cars were built on consecutive days – Week 20 day 1 and day 2.
All of this new information now directs the need for us to have to update various other sections of this website including several of our background information ‘Articles’ in 2026.
A surviving example of a European market Export model for Finland:
Paint and upholstery:
L10B (56) Texasgelb / Texas Yellow, Black (37) (cloth)
(Texasgelb was a normal 1973 model year colour for the Beetle which on standard production models was complemented by colour matched plastic beading between the body and wings. Interestingly this surviving example breaks from this norm by having black plastic beading consistent with other contemporary SEB models finished in 1973 Karmann palette colours not normally used on standard production Beetles.) Accent to the paintwork was provided by all-black external trim and bumper trim tape, colour-coded to the paintwork.
Technical Data:
1300cc. typ. 113 badged “VW 1300”
Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:
M 047 Twin reversing lights
M 102 Heated Rear Window
M 206 Rear view mirror, inner, anti-dazzle
M 228 Padded dashboard
M 976 4½J x15 (Lemmerz) “GT” style sports wheels
A surviving example of a North American market Export model for USA:
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: Jani Haavisto / Finland typ.113 and Hector A Cruz / USA typ.133.
