Beetle with 104 Miles

The Beetle’s Boom

The Volkswagen Beetle, or the “Bug” as it’s affectionately known, was a hit in its heyday, especially in the United States. Back in the late ’60s and early ’70s, VW sold around 400,000 Beetles each year in the U.S. alone—a figure that outshines VW of America’s entire lineup sales from 2024. It wasn’t just popular; it was iconic.

Most Beetles today are either well-used or have undergone full restorations. That’s why this 1972 Baja Champions Special Edition is so exceptional. It has only 104 miles on the odometer since it rolled off the assembly line. This particular model is up for auction and is stirring up excitement among collectors.

What’s Special?

This ’72 model is part of a special batch of 1,000 Beetles built as the Baja Champions Special Edition, celebrating the Beetle’s success in off-road racing. It’s based on the European Marathon Beetle, which marked the production milestone of the 15 millionth Beetle. With unique Baja decals, sportier steel wheels, and that classic Marathon Blue paint, it represents a very cool slice of automotive history.

Underneath, it’s a 1302 Super Beetle. VW aimed to give the Beetle a fresh look to lure buyers away from the emerging competition, like the American AMC Gremlin, Chevy Vega, and Japanese Toyota Corolla. The 1302 came with McPherson struts instead of traditional torsion bars, a more spacious fuel tank, and twin-port heads boosting output to 60 horsepower in the U.S.

The Price Tag

Originally, this car had a sticker price of $2,261 in 1972—equivalent to roughly $17,300 in today’s money. For comparison, the most economical VW sold in 2025 in the U.S. is the Jetta S, starting at $23,720. However, this Beetle model never hit the showroom floor; it stayed with Chick Iverson VW in Newport Beach, California.

Driving a Classic

Behind the wheel of a classic Beetle like this one, the driving experience is unique compared to modern cars. The Beetle’s compact design makes it nimble, and its minimalistic features ensure distraction-free driving. Unlike the power steering and plush suspension of contemporary vehicles, the 1972 Beetle has a vintage feel with its manual steering and basic suspension. It’s all about pure driving essence.

Unlike modern cars, with their tech and power, the Beetle takes more effort but rewards with a sense of nostalgia and pure charm. It’s a different realm compared to vehicles like the Volvo P1800 or the throwback charm of a Datsun 240Z, much less the triple-digit horsepower and tech-loaded interiors of today’s cars.

For those curious about the auction, you can check out the full listing at Bring a Trailer here.