Paint and Upholstery:
Special Bronze (43) / Light Brown (67) with soft velvet seat inserts,
Green Metallic (**) / Light Brown (67) with soft velvet seat inserts
(South African Volkswagen paint colours were unique to that local market)
Technical Data:
1600cc typ. 114S badged VW_1600_L
Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:
VDO ‘Cockpit’ style 52mmØ quartz clock to the left of the speedometer.
Chrome taper tip exhaust pipes
Chrome stone guards front and back
Chrome door handle finger plates
Bumper overriders
White “Lux Bug” stripes to the lower body sides
Solid copper ‘Lux Bug’ badge on the glove box lid
Context:
Based on the contemporary VW_ 1600_L model with many of its standard fittings unique to Uitenhage production* the Lux Bug celebrated the production of the 250,000 Kewer / Beetle in South Africa.
Winnie Mandela, the wife of Nelson Mandela, famously owned a Fun Bug while in exile in Brandfort. This had been purchased for her by Tokyo Sexwhale – a South African businessman who was a lifelong friend and supporter. He knew that she had owned a Beetle previously during her youth in Soweto.
The Fun Bug was produced by Volkswagen of South Africa (PTY) Ltd. at Uitenhage, South Africa.
Sales Literature:
We are not aware of any having been produced.
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 and pictures from ‘Der Kafer IV’, Hans-Rudiger Etzold, 1995, Mark Johnson and Volkswagen Audi CAR Magazine “The Special Beetles Pt.1 – The South African Special Editions,” 1983. Bronze car images (interior and exterior) courtesy Tyrone Morris.