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Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:20 am

I recently posted my 1975 Sun Bug for sale. I have received email from a few people telling me that Sun Bugs were only built in 1974. One person went so far as to accuse me of misrepresenting the car. This has left me quite confused. My car has a sun roof. Although the car had been painted over green when I bought it, underneath the green was the original gold paint. It had the original brown naugahyde and tan corduroy seat upholstery. It still had a piece of wood veneer attached to the dash. It had exactly the same features as a 1974 Sun Bug, the only difference is being a 1975 it also has fuel injection. Why are people saying this is not a "real" Sun Bug? I think there may be a symantics problem here. Could it be that this combination was only marketed under the name "Sun Bug" in 1974? I would appreciate it if someone could shed some light on this subject.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:02 am

sunbugs were made in 1974. Your car COULD be a "knockoff" that somebody made to look like a sunbug at some point. It may also be a cross over year car, made at the verry end of the year so it was given a 75 title and the FI engine.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:40 am

The Sun Bug specification was 1974, at least in the USA. An in 1975, the Super Beetle Sedan was ONLY offered in the "La Grande Bug" specification - which was pretty much a carry-over of the 1974 Sun Bug. That is the proper title to call a 1975 Super.

J.T. Garwood's Classic book "Car of the Century" which lists all the yearly changes he logged while working at a VW dealership is one of the best books out there, and in it he says:

"... Super Beetle... now called the La Grande Bug in the U.S. market. They were all special sales campaign S736 models. They were made in three batches because of their great popularity. The FACTORY called the first run the "Luxury Beetle".

"The 1974 style "Sun Bug" seats weth the leather grained vinyl/plus corduroy combination upholstery were seen again this year in the La Grande Bug..."

it also says the 74 Sun Bug style carpets (also in blue) plus the steering wheel where carried over. The "Sport Wheels" were only offered on La Grande Bugs in 1975. The sunroof was part of the La Grande Bug package.

Decals for La Grande Bug were sent to every dealership but as to if they actually placed them on the cars was up to them.

The Harvest Gold color was not offered in the first run of La Grande Bugs, but was in runs 2 and 3. And since the final run of La Grande Bugs actually occured after the switch to model year 1976 (but still officially part of 1975 production) the L99B Harvest Gold Metallc color got changed to K99D Topaz Metallic.

One important quote in this instance: "The second run of U.S./Canadian S736 models began at chassis nuber 1352248016 and stopped at 1352248083. The factory referred to these as 'Sun Bugs' but the U.S. organization still called them "La Grande Bug." U.S. market demand for the La Grande Bug remained firm. A third run of US/Canada S736 models was begun at Chassis No.1352262066 and continued to 1352267815. The factory, again, labeled these as "Sun Beetles" but the U.S. organization kept the "La Grande" name again. These very late '75s were the last 1303 sedans. They were produced after the '76 model year began and had 1976 paint codes and engines!"

I hope that helps some
-Andy

Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:40 am

Thanks Andy, this is very helpful. It sounds like what we have here, as I suspected, is a symantics problem. My car is esentially a Sun Bug, but was apparently not labled as such. Perhaps I should be calling it a La Grande Bug. However, whatever people want to call it, the car is still the same thing as a 1974 Sun Bug with added fuel injection.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:50 am

I had a car exactly like that when I lived in Portland. A 75, I think it was called 'Le Grande Bug'? Same brown cord and vinyl interior, sunroof, etc.

Here is the only pic I saved. Yes, those are hideous sheepskins seat covers. Great car, I'm sorry I sold. it. If I had the coin I'd buy yours, my wife would cry to see it again.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:56 am

madwelder wrote: Thanks Andy, this is very helpful. It sounds like what we have here, as I suspected, is a symantics problem. My car is esentially a Sun Bug, but was apparently not labled as such. Perhaps I should be calling it a La Grande Bug. However, whatever people want to call it, the car is still the same thing as a 1974 Sun Bug with added fuel injection.

I'd call it La Grande and add a little info on the specs, perhaps even include this link and let the ad police argue with THEM:
http://www.sebeetles.com/lagrandebug.htm

I've never heard of that one. 1973-1975 were busy years for special editions.
http://www.sebeetles.com/contents.htm

Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:32 am

madwelder wrote: Thanks Andy, this is very helpful. It sounds like what we have here, as I suspected, is a symantics problem. My car is esentially a Sun Bug, but was apparently not labled as such. Perhaps I should be calling it a La Grande Bug. However, whatever people want to call it, the car is still the same thing as a 1974 Sun Bug with added fuel injection.

Uhhh...no. La Grandes came in 3 colours, different interior colours etc. Yes, they had the sport wheels, faux wood grain dash and padded steering wheel but they did have FI and rack and pinion steering vs. the older 71-74 set up.

That said, your La Grande is beautiful, you did a great job of the resto, I hope you get what you want for it.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:17 am

The sunbug seat covers were a nice touch!

Nice car!!!

Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:12 am

I have had my Bug since 1982. I was told that it was a Sun Bug... not that I knew what that meant at the time, but have always wondered... Now, with the great information shared here, my best guess is that it is a 1976 LaGrande model with a manufacture date of 1975. If there were ever stickers applied, they are long gone.
I have heard that a certificate may be obtained from the auto museum in Germany. Would they have confirming information of this as well?

31 years together, and still rolling! - Karin

Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:53 am

I own a 1974 Sun Bug Super Beetle. So?

Sun Bug, La Grande? These were names and slight changes that VW marketing guys thought up to sell more bugs. Their ideas paid off.

But, aside from a few slight changes in upholstery, steering wheel (softer grip and padded horn button), a little faux wood grain, not to mention the sports wheels and gold paint, it's kind of just a gilded lily, after all.

Tim