Well if California state improvements include: Baja, Cal-look etc. then god help us!
The USA is still producing brand new vehicles with live rear axles like the old Moggie Minor.. That's why there Motor Industry is on its knees and the top selling vehicle in the US over the last 5 years has been from Japan.
Beetles are good cars to drive considering their age and better kept standard. However, the "Standard" didn't have a steering damper. Interesting after running over a pot-hole.