1978 Snug 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:

‘Arctic White’ (01) / black leatherette with ** tartan seat facings (**)
‘Sunburst Yellow’ (11) / black leatherette with yellow tartan seat facings (80)
‘Silver Cloud Metallic’ (49) / black leatherette with blue tartan seat facings (83)
‘Sapphire Blue’ (**) / black leatherette with blue tartan seat facings (83)

(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 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.
Petri AG sports steering wheel
Satin black front and rear stone guards
Satin black door handle finger plates
Black, twin pinstripes, to the lower body sides
Tartan coordinated ‘Snug 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 Snug Bug was the last SEB marketed in South Africa.

The Snug Bug Edition was produced by Volkswagen of South Africa (PTY) Ltd. at Uitenhage, South Africa.

Sales Literature:

We are not aware of any having been produced although a magazine advertisement was certainly published to promote sales.

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

The last South African Beetle was built at the Uitenhage plant on 18 January 1979. This car required restoration after being transported in 2006 to an event and the truck suffering an accident. The vehicle carrier overturned and nine of the AutoPavilion’s best historic cars were destroyed.

The restored car is shown at the AutoPavillion (Volkswagen Museum) Uitenhage.

Last Beetle information courtesy Alfred Acevedo and crash picture courtesy abrmotoring.com. Advertisement and some info courtesy Tyrone Morris. 


This page last modified: 2022-01-19