Sometimes, you just can't go wrong with the basics. This nicely finished 1968 Volkswagen Beetle isn't wildly modified, but has enough special touches to make it stand out in the crowd without altering its basic character. As one of the most beloved cars of all time, this car shows you just how easy it is to make a good car great.

Simple black paint looks great on the trademark Beetle curves, but to really do it right, you need to make it straight. Unfortunately, a lot of folks don't think VWs are worth the investment, but that's definitely not the case here. It's obvious that someone spent a lot of time and money getting the rounded bodywork as straight as possible. This one fits together extremely well (although the stories of Beetles being able to float due to exceptional seals in the doors are probably just myths), and the doors open and close with just a light touch. There's a single pinstripe running the length of the body to dress it up, and the chrome appears to have an excellent original patina.

The completely restored interior is handsomely upgraded using a So Fine kit that resculpted the buckets to add some lateral support as well as two-tone seat covers. Fresh black door panels, a new set of black carpets, and a repainted dash make it feel young again, and the small-diameter leather steering wheel brings it into the 21st century. The simple single gauge offers speed and fuel level, but precious little else, but these cars tend to be so reliable that keeping a constant eye on them isn't really necessary. There is, however, a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo system that fills the interior with high-quality sounds. Up front, the trunk has been fully upholstered in matching black carpet and offers a correct spare tire. 1967 Beetle pop-out windows were added as well, which provides pleasant ventilation without a lot of wind inside the car.

The 1600 cc flat-four has been reworked and now puts out a good bit more horsepower that's immediately noticeable from behind the wheel. There's a Progressive 2-barrel carburetor, Bosch 009 distributor, and a set of high performance pulleys that spin a 60-amp alternator. It still makes all the right sounds, but the added muscle helps the black Beetle keep up with traffic effortlessly. Underneath, the chassis is completely rust-free, thanks to clean living in a warm climate, and offers upgrades such as Empi shocks all around, a set of front disc brakes, and polyurethane bushings to improve precision. And, of course, it's impossible to miss the single high-performance muffler and exhaust system peeking out from under the rear valence, as well as the beautiful polished aluminum wheels doing their best Minilite impersonation.

Beetles still represent a huge amount of fun for the money, and this one has been fully restored and tastefully modified to enhance everything that makes these cars so special. Call today!

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