1972 Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

Visually, the Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio retained the familiar Beetle silhouette but incorporated subtle yet meaningful changes tied to its revised underpinnings. The most practical design update was at the front: the new suspension layout allowed the trunk floor to be lowered significantly.

Technical Details:

The Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio shared its technical foundation with the closed 1302 models but combined it with the open-top body of the Type 15. Introduced after the production of the VW 1500 ended in 1970, the 1302 was positioned as a thoroughly revised Beetle, and by the 1972 model year the Cabrio benefitted from the most developed state of this concept.

Power for the Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio came from a 1.6-liter air-cooled boxer engine producing 50 PS. This engine was not a radical redesign but an improved version of earlier units, featuring optimized intake ports, dual intake cylinder heads, and enhanced cooling. Compared with the earlier 1.5-liter engines, the higher torque output of the 1.6-liter unit improved acceleration and drivability, particularly on inclines. These engines met contemporary emissions regulations in both Germany and the United States, underlining Volkswagen’s effort to keep the Beetle compliant in increasingly regulated markets.

The chassis marked the most significant technical leap. The 1302 introduced a newly developed front suspension with wishbones and MacPherson struts, replacing the traditional torsion-bar setup. This required extensive structural changes, including a flat cross member instead of the earlier frame head and the integration of a stabilizer bar. At the rear, the Cabrio adopted a semi-trailing arm suspension with double-jointed driveshafts, a design previously used on the automatic Beetle. Together, these changes resulted in notably improved road holding and stability. The wheelbase and body structure were extended, making the 1302 approximately 74 millimeters longer than earlier Beetles.

Braking was handled by a dual-circuit system, with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Performance figures reflected the Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio’s touring-oriented character, with a top speed of around 130 km/h. Kerb weight was approximately 920 kg, rising to a gross vehicle weight of 1,280 kg. The permitted braked trailer load was rated at 650 kg.

• Manufacturer: Volkswagen
• Model name: Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio (Type 15)
• Year of manufacturing: 1970–1972

Design:

Visually, the Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio retained the familiar Beetle silhouette but incorporated subtle yet meaningful changes tied to its revised underpinnings. The most practical design update was at the front: the new suspension layout allowed the trunk floor to be lowered significantly. This increased luggage capacity by 75 percent, from 140 to 260 liters, an important advantage for a convertible intended for longer journeys. The spare wheel was repositioned horizontally in the trunk floor ahead of the front axle, where it also contributed to safety in frontal impacts.

At the rear, the taller 1.6-liter engine required a more strongly domed engine lid. Unlike the sedan, the Cabrio retained the 28 horizontal ventilation slots on the engine cover, a distinguishing feature of the Type 15. The rear window, enlarged upward by 40 millimeters in the previous model year, improved rearward visibility and carried over into the 1972 Cabrio.

Inside, the Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio reflected Volkswagen’s increased focus on safety and comfort. A newly designed steering wheel with a padded hub worked in conjunction with a deformation element in the steering column to reduce injury risk in a collision. Seating was revised with thicker padding and transverse stitching, while additional trim panels on the seat bases improved perceived quality. From 1971 onward, the dashboard was finished in black foil, creating the impression of a padded surface. Improved ventilation controls and additional air outlets beneath the windshield enhanced airflow, helping to keep the cabin and windshield clear even in poor weather.

Historical Significance:

The Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio represents a transitional phase in the long history of the Beetle convertible. It combined the traditional appeal of an open Beetle with some of the most advanced engineering ever applied to the Type 1 platform. The introduction of modern suspension concepts at both axles addressed long-standing criticisms of handling and ride quality, while the enlarged trunk and improved ventilation made the car more usable in everyday conditions.

By the 1972 model year, the Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio demonstrated Volkswagen’s strategy of incremental but meaningful modernization. Safety features such as the improved steering column, revised fuel tank closure with overrun protection, and standard heated rear window reflected changing expectations in the compact car market. Despite these advances, the 1302’s production run was short. On 31 July 1972, it was replaced by the VW 1303, which built directly on the technical groundwork established by the 1302.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio is often recognized as the open version of the “modernized” Beetle, identifiable by its suspension layout and enlarged front trunk rather than by overt styling cues. Owners and collectors frequently note the contrast between the classic Beetle appearance and the noticeably improved road behavior. As such, the 1302 Cabrio represents a quieter evolution of the Beetle image rather than a dramatic cultural statement.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden in 2022. Set in the elegant spa gardens of Baden-Baden, this open-air event is one of Germany’s most atmospheric classic car gatherings. The 2022 edition marked the 46th year of the meeting and featured over 350 carefully selected vintage vehicles from across Europe. With its picturesque backdrop and festive ambiance, the event draws thousands of visitors who stroll among historic automobiles, enjoy live music, and take in themed displays. In 2022, American classics and convertibles were especially well represented, reflecting the event’s continued celebration of both international and domestic automotive heritage.

Conclusion:

The Volkswagen Käfer 1302 Cabrio of model year 1972 stands as one of the most technically advanced open-top Beetles. With its revised chassis, improved 1.6-liter engine, enhanced braking system, and significantly larger luggage compartment, it combined traditional Beetle character with modernized engineering. Although its time in production was brief, the 1302 Cabrio played a key role in bridging the gap between earlier Beetle convertibles and the subsequent 1303, marking an important chapter in the evolution of Volkswagen’s iconic open car.