Now listed on Facebook Marketplace, this 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is one of those wonderfully unusual projects that tells a story all its own. According to the seller, this Beetle was converted with a full Rolls-Royce–style body kit, both front and rear, and was assembled by their grandfather in the early 1980s. The car has been garage-kept ever since and is now being offered for $10,500 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. Thanks for the tip Sam61!
The base car was originally a 1967 convertible Beetle, and the seller notes that the drivetrain is from 1970, featuring a 1600cc single-port engine. It’s been off the road since the late 1980s but remains in impressive condition overall, especially for something that’s been sitting that long. The ad explains that the fuel tank has been cleaned, new fuel lines (both metal and rubber) have been installed, and fluids have been changed. The car runs and drives under its own power, though it currently has no brakes.
The seller is upfront about what it needs, typical items from long-term storage, including brakes, tires, and a carburetor rebuild or cleaning. There’s also mention of a replacement front axle due to a hole in one of the uprights, and a brand-new axle is included in the sale. The rear floor pans will also need some attention, but the ad stresses that they aren’t severely deteriorated.
Visually, the car wears white paint over a black interior, and while it’s been sitting for decades, the seller says it’s in great shape overall, mostly needing a cleaning and polish to bring it back to life. The combination of the Beetle’s proportions with the Rolls-Royce–style bodywork gives it a quirky, unmistakable charm, something between kit car creativity and family heirloom nostalgia.
A clean title is included, with a duplicate currently on order. For anyone who appreciates unusual vintage projects or family-built customs from the 20th century, this Beetle-based Rolls is as unique as they come.
Would you restore this rare VW-Rolls hybrid back to its 1980s glory, or keep its dust-covered patina as a piece of family-built automotive art?
The Beetle convertible. Looks far better with the top up than it does down. I think that Rolls conversion kit is a deal breaker.
This would go well with a Granada that looks like a Mercedes.
Willie Mays Hays! You may run like Hays, but you hit like s***.
Tommy Chong from Up In Smoke.
I (wearing my tuxedo T-shirt) want to have a valet park it at the Copley Plaza for me (and film it).
Love the Plymouth Valiant wheel covers!
Well I’m just going to say this:
The buyer would be the only one with a custom bug like this at a car show. I think it’s safe to also say that this car would be perfect for the concours de lemons car show as this custom work is very love it or hate it
I remember these in the 80’s well. But all the ones I recall were just the hoof being added. At the time I thought it was the best quick conversion on how to make your beetle distinctive.
I had no idea there were additional pieces to complete the look. And complete it they have done. I love this VW! Elizabeth nailed it exactly with the word “Charm” and this has it is spades. I could 100% see myself tooling around in this and since it is so unusual you would certainly get your share of conversations. For the money I don’t think you could pull up in anything that would be so easy for a stranger to walk up to and start talking about your car.
I wish it were on the West coast…
I’m amazed at the low price, perhaps the underlying car is what is keeping it low.
Wonderful post, thanks Barn Finds.
Ugly then, ugly now. How much interest is there for one of these for $10,500, even if it was pristine? The pricing seems based on sentiment rather than the potential market.
Steve R
Willy Mayes Hayes
I like it …but not enough to drop $10,500 on it. I would put my great Dane lab mix in the front passenger seat and my Black mouth cur lab mix in the back and cruise around town with the top down
Elizabeth,
Dan Ackroyd said you misspelled where the car is located. It’s “Winthorpe.” Henceforth, one shall reference only by full moniker, “Louis Winthorpe, III.”
Plymouth 14″ hubcaps for Valiant/Duster. Probably 1970 vintage.
FINALLY! A Bug I COULD Love, sort of. I feel a sort of kinship. Both being variations on ROLLS ROYCE. Me being a vintage ROLLS CANARDLY, rolling down one hill and Can ardly get up the next. IF I ever wanted a compact (fat chance) this would be my choice. GLWTS.
With the design of the rear lid.(I won’t call it a trunk) There is room for the turbo kit that they use on Baja Bugs. I would assume that it. Could use the extra power.
Now I’ve seen everything.. a VollsVagen convertible.This is so corney it’s cool. Easy on gas and cheap to repair, albiet she’s likely a mite slow going uphill unless, as Wayne suggested someone added a turbo kit.
This one is unusual. Most will have the Rolls Royce grill and bonnet, but keep the VW fenders, headlights and parking lights.
But I really don’t like rear. Most of these RR kits have the rear with just a fake continental spare. I would prefer that to this OTT RR rear.
There was a company in the ’70s, called WunderBug, that sold fiberglass hoods in various styles for VWs; my neighbor had one with a ’37 Ford grille. They also sold one with a Rolls grille until they got a C&D from Rolls-Royce. They are rare.
I like ’em now as I did then: there were a million bugs around, hard to make them truly unique without sectioning it & going full Manx. Always loved the look, – but the first time I’ve ever seen the trunk! GLWTS.