While Beetles are the proverbial dime a dozen, the early models are standouts in more than a few ways. For one thing, they tend to be worth a bit more; for another, their parts are generally more valuable, too. There was a lot of interest in the large salvage yard collection I wrote up last week in the white 1965 Beetle parts car, and I suspect the seller of this 1965 Beetle here on craigslist will have no trouble finding a new owner. Thanks to Barn Finds reader AMXBrian for the find.
The smaller tail lights and chrome bumpers are prized among aircooled enthusiasts, as is much of the interior trim. As is common with old Beetles, the seller says the pan needs replacing but is otherwise a complete example. It also comes with a sunroof, but no word on whether it’s factory. The body looks decent overall, but that passenger side rear fender is obviously a replacement from a later model.
The interior is better than you might expect, but those cobwebs let you know the Beetle has been sitting for a while. The old-school vintage Wolfsburg steering wheel is a treat, as is the red dash and door panels and original radio still sitting in the fascia. More pictures of the interior would be helpful but what we can see looks quite nice; I’m sure there’s plenty of trim and switchgear in here to make a vintage VW enthusiast take note.
The mismatched wheels and incorrect fender give the Beetle a slight identity crisis, but these are easy cosmetic flaws to fix. The question is, should this Bug be restored or parted out? If it was a bit cheaper – like $1,000 or less – there’s potential either way. And perhaps the rest of the body is solid enough that the pan replacement is an easy fix. Cars like these are toss-ups to me, as they deserve to be restored but better ones exist for not much money. Which path would you choose?
65 isnt exactly early??
I was going to say the same thing. Guessing the writer of this post is about twenty-five years old and doesn’t know about Beetles from the late forties!
Both rear fenders are flared, mostly likely fiberglass.
The rear fenders appear to be fiberglass. Depending what the new owner’s plans are, that could be good or bad. It looks like a bug enthusiast could bring it back to life.
From the ad’s wording, it’s going to need a set of replacement floor pans, and I’d suggest the rocker panels/heater ducting. Still, at that price, it might be worth a closer look.
‘Glass flares were popular in the 1970s, and perhaps this one had some wheel adaptors and wide rear wheels/tires.
Sunroof is a steel sliding one that was an option from the factory. As others said, this bug is not early. 1961 is about as late as you can go and still have an “early” bug.
Looks like the Dung Beetle sleeper from Street Outlaws on cable TV.
I have the impression that the rear window has been cut out to put a larger one.
Why? Little is cooler in this case i think. A split little window like in the first year is awesome like a 63 Vet. My 2014 Impala has huge blind spots so why not this bug?
I seem to have it wrong, but the rear bumper is from an earlier model.
The sunroof, a metal slider, is from the factory. The steering wheel is an after-market replacement; the original would be black and plastic.
VW’s have several “evolutionary eras:” 1953 and earlier have a split oval rear window and an incredibly simple dash. 1954-57 have an oval rear window. 1958-67 have a larger, rectangular rear window and by 1962 they have a gas guage in addition to the speedometer. 1968-79 have tall seats (head restraint), larger, more square bumpers, and an exterior access to the gas tank (up until then, the front hood had to be opened). In 1973, some Beetles had curved windshields, larger trunks, and coil-and-strut front suspensions. There were also a myriad of other, smaller changes.
1965 isn’t early, unless your dividing line is the major changes of 1968 because of increased federal safety legislation.
I am sure someone will be all over it! Not me to much to redo to make it nice! I think that you would be upside down on this project!
My very first car of my own was a ’67. The bumpers were like these and so much prettier than the ones on my ’68 convertible. These cars were great fun to own and drive. Wish I still had one.
My parents had 3 bugs, 3 Karmen Ghia’s, & a new orange VW Dasher. The first bug was 1955 that they bought new, then 3 years later my dad traded it in on a 5 year old “ugly” Dodge wagon (mom hated it for like 8 years it always had weak brakes) because i was on the way. My mom cried for weeks, so my dad then found a 1954 bug real cheap. But it needed two used fenders, a used rt. door, a new clutch, brakes, & a fresh olive green paint to make my mom happy again. But only when she got to drive that sweet new looking bug. When i couldn’t sleep, my dad would put me in the far back, and drive me around the block to put young me asleep. The 54 got sold cheap 3 days after my dad bought a new dark 66 green bug. Mom cried again untll he got her a “cute” 64 Ramler wagon she glady drove instead of the old Dodge. Then my dads father let my dad drive his Ghia which my dad got hooked on. My mom cried again over him trading in that brand new looking 2 year old 66 bug for a old looking white Ghia plus “good money”. He had 3 Ghia’s at once after inheriting his fathers old orange, & white one along with a that old white one, & his newer grey, & white one. The orange dasher was a bad lemon under a good warranty. Didn’t have it long.
It looks sad on the end of that chain, like an animal tied up in a yard.