I'm a poor college student who wants a car. I think maybe a VW Beetle would be good for me. I'd probably tune it up to some extent and such. I know these aren't very expensive cars, and they've got lots of class. Can't afford a New Beetle, I'm thinking an older one.

I know the first one released (Hitler era) had a 26hp engine. Obviously, they've grown since then. My question is, at which point did they start putting the "best beetle engine" in the older Beetles? Or, in general, are there better years for oldish Beetles that I'm likely to see around? I don't think I'll be coming across a 1952 or 1960 model, that's probably not that likely, but, you know... what years are good for these cars?

Thanks!

 

1967, do a google search on this one. I have owned 18 different air cooled VW's and I had 4 1967's. They are the best of the older Bugs.

 

What made the VW and it's name for holding up, was the old
26-36 horse power engine, it wouldn't give up. The 40 hp engine
held up great also but not as good as the 36 hp. The last VW
for being a good one is the1967, However the newer they got
the worse they were.1968 and up were nothing but trouble. They
finally got so bad, for the US they stopped importing them here.
All this was because the US wanted more power and the bug
just wouldn't hold up to it, and then came the polution control
stuff, they just couldn't make them pass without burning out the
engines. info from 35 years experience with Volkswagen of America.