Can a VW Beetle also be a hot rod? Take a look at this 1973 Super Beetle and tell me what you think. With an upgraded engine a sporting exhaust note and a somewhat sinister look despite the bright yellow paint this Bug will definitely make you smile.For years we've been under-estimating the humble Beetle and even those that have bright paint like this one tend to get overlooked. Well that stops now because this car looks great. The yellow paint is exactly the right shade neither too dark nor too bright and it works especially well with the tinted glass and black wheels. Fit and finish are above average for a Beetle with doors that close easily and a hood that doesn't wiggle on the road. The Super Beetle includes various upgrades including a curved front windshield a longer hood a more sophisticated front suspension setup and bigger marker lights and while some purists prefer the look of the older cars all those upgrades are very welcome here. Bright chrome bumpers matching stainless body trim and of course running boards all retain the stock look.The all-black interior is pure VW function with tall buckets and durable vinyl seat covers that wear like iron. There are few upgrades inside aside from the tall chrome shifter that makes a noticeable difference in shift feel and even the dash is still the simple single-instrument setup that they all used. The door panels may very well be original to the car and the back seat looks almost completely unused. Gray carpets offer a bit of contrast and brighten things up a bit and work well with the aftermarket steering wheel wrapper. The original AM radio still lives in the dash and the heater system is still only adequate but that's OK because this car grew up someplace warm and its daily driver days are behind it. The forward trunk is in good condition with no signs of issues.Volkswagen's familiar 1600 cc flat four is a paragon of reliability but thanks to a few small upgrades this one is also quite entertaining to drive. The numbers on the block actually suggest that this is a Porsche engine and given how well this one runs that's not hard to believe. A fresh carburetor tune-up parts and heater tubes suggest that the engine has been well-maintained and the way it runs is proof. A custom exhaust system with single chrome pipe makes for a dramatic statement that sounds particularly cool coming from the familiar Bug. The floors are in good order although it appears that this car has never needed a frame-off restoration or even major floor work as is common with so many of its siblings. The suspension and brakes are largely stock so you don't have to worry that some amateur has messed up the geometry and with those fat wheels and tires it's quite nimble around town. Those black wheels look a lot like vintage Minilites and with the polished outer rim they give the Beetle a very sporting look.More fun than something this affordable should be this Super Beetle covers the basics and delivers a few upgrades that make it more than the sum of its parts. Call today!