Like (grand) Father Like Son

Barry Grunnell’s grandad bought this car new in 1967. Barry inherited it in 1997 and, though he’s chosen to mildly modify it, he looks after it every bit as well as his grandpa did.

- Georg Otto

1967 was an important year in Volkswagen history. The first generation of the VW Bus entered its last year of production and received some last minute changes, like 12V electrics, dual circuit brakes and a standard sliding door. The Beetle was in a similar situation, as the new model year, which traditionally started in August, heralded the most dramatic changes stylewise in the car’s life. Big bumpers, upright headlights and tombstone tail lights should give the good ’ol Beetle a more modern look. So, with these new models on the horizon, you might think VW wouldn’t change that much in the last build year with the old design. Far from it. The Wolfsburg-based company incorporated many modifications just for the 1967 model year, which makes these Beetles so special. The engine lid was given a distinctive kink just under the number plate light and a flat bottom, which made a modified rear valance necessary. Because of that different engine lid, the inner parts of the rear towel rail bumpers (if fitted) were re-designed and given a more downwards pointing angle. On European cars the front end remained the same, but US-spec models received upright headlights. The doors were equipped with new door handles, now featuring round push buttons instead of the square ones seen on ’66 models. And so it goes on.

The legacy