Misallocation

1978 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Sold at Mecum Auctions on Jan. 17, 2025.

$44,000Confirmed

The price as reported by the house. Hammer price $40,000, before the buyer's premium. Read from the house's results Oct. 14, 2026.

The car

Year
1978
Make and model
Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1)
Generation
Beetle 1968 to 1979
Version
Beetle 1968 to 1979 (base)
Gearbox
Manual
Chassis
1582038615
Condition
Excellent (2)Likely

Condition is our reading of the listing's description on Hagerty's 1 to 4 scale, not an inspection.

This car's full record

Against comparable sales

Above the middle half of 83 comparable sales, 191% over its top.

Middle half of sales$7,750 to $13,750
Median$10,000
Sales behind it83Likely

From 83 sales of the Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Beetle 1968 to 1979 (base) in our data over the last 24 months. Hammer prices, before buyer's fees. Half sold between $7,750 and $13,750.

Closest sales

Closest comparable sales
CarAuctionDatePrice
1979 Volkswagen Beetle ConvertibleMecum, May 9, 2026MecumMay 9, 2026$13,000
1979 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLEBarrett-Jackson, Oct. 16, 2025Barrett-JacksonOct. 16, 2025$6,800
1977 Volkswagen Beetle ConvertibleMecum, Oct. 4, 2025MecumOct. 4, 2025$12,000
1979 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLEBarrett-Jackson, Jan. 22, 2025Barrett-JacksonJan. 22, 2025$12,500
1979 Volkswagen Beetle ConvertibleMecum, Jan. 17, 2025MecumJan. 17, 2025$65,000
1976 Volkswagen BeetleBring a Trailer, March 1, 2026Bring a TrailerMarch 1, 2026$3,400
1979 Volkswagen Beetle ConvertibleMecum, May 9, 2025MecumMay 9, 2025$7,800
1976 Volkswagen Beetle ConvertibleBring a Trailer, Nov. 23, 2024Bring a TrailerNov. 23, 2024$9,100

This car's historyLikely

Matched across sales by chassis number.

DateWhat happenedWhereMilesPrice
Jan. 28, 2016SoldBarrett-JacksonBarrett-Jackson$44,000
Jan. 17, 2025Sold (this sale)MecumMecum$44,000
Jan. 9, 2026Did not sellMecumMecum$25,500 high bid
May 15, 2026SoldMecumMecum$33,000