Volkswagen
1303 S "Gelb-Schwarzer Renner"

Why it matters

The "Yellow-Black Racer" (Gelb-Schwarzer Renner) was a limited special model of the Super Beetle 1303 S. Volkswagen lists it among the sought-after Beetles in sports livery. Its main appeal was the striking two-tone paint, and the factory gave it official tuning approval far beyond the standard output.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Volkswagen introduced the 1303 in 1972 as the last major revision of the Beetle, with a curved panoramic windscreen, larger rear lights and a padded dashboard. The 1303 S used the 1.6-litre engine with 50 PS.

The Yellow-Black Racer was offered in 1973 on the 1303 S basis. The factory page says performance with the standard engine was no different from an ordinary 1303 S, but that the special model carried official tuning approval for up to 100 PS and a top speed of 165 km/h.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The bonnet and boot lid are painted matt black while the rest of the body is Saturn Yellow. The factory lists optional extras for the model: a sports leather steering wheel, sports seats, and 5 1/2 J 15 ET 26 steel rims with 175/70 SR 15 Pirelli Cinturato tyres. These were options, so their presence or absence alone does not prove or disprove a car.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Beetle (Käfer) 1303 (1972–1975) Level A Volkswagen Newsroom (Volkswagen Classic archive)

   • Only 3,500 of the "Yellow-Black Racer"... are built
   • based on the VW 1303 S with a 50PS 1.6-litre engine (Beetle 1303 page)
   • 1303 S with 37 kW (50 PS) (Beetle 1303 page)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Beetle (Käfer) 1303 (1972–1975) | Volkswagen Newsroom Level A

   • 3500 limited special-series units

   Accessed 2026-11-12