UPDATE 05/18/2022: It appears that the owner of this 1956 VW Beetle Oval Window had no success with their last listing, so they’re rolling the dice by offering it for sale again. Our own Russ Glantz spotted the Beetle back on the market, feeling it was worth revisiting. Located in Somerville, New Jersey, the owner has listed the VW for sale here on Craigslist. The price remains at $20,000 OBO. The figure makes it an ideal candidate for a faithful restoration or to be enjoyed as an unmolested survivor.
From 03/09/2022: This 1956 Volkswagen Beetle is a desirable early model, which is distinguishable in a few different ways with the most profound being the oval rear window. While they may look the same to some enthusiasts, air-cooled fanatics know that finding an oval window Bug in the barn is a very desirable find, but in the case of this seller, he simply found the Beetle in his dad’s garage where it’s been parked since 1972. The Beetle was left there following some brake problems it developed and has apparently not turned a wheel since. The Beetle is now listed here on craigslist in need of total restoration with an asking price of $20,000 or best offer. Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for spotting the original listing.
Oh yeah – there’s that magical rear window. It makes all the difference. Another clue as to this Beetle’s desirability are the small taillights, the big chrome bumpers with overriders, and the very simple interior. The taillights are so svelte; I always get distracted by those on the Beetles of this vintage. The Beetle is located near Somerville, New Jersey, which isn’t the worst spot to find an old car in terms of its exposure to salt, but it’s not immune from sending fragile vehicles to an early grave once the tin worm takes hold. The seller claims there’s no rot in either the floors or heater channels, two areas known to be weak spots on an air-cooled model like this.
Impressively, the Beetle is already up and running and whatever brake issue that led to it being parked has been resolved. This is to the seller’s credit, as most of the time, cars like these are dragged out and promptly put up for sale; at least they’ve gotten the car running and resolved one of the known issues. I’m impressed if the claims of no rust hold true, as even Beetles in fair-weather states tend to at least need floors by now. The simple dash and door panels appear to be in very good condition for an unrestored car that was likely just used as a commuter, and the same goes for the steering wheel and upholstery that appears to at least be intact on the passenger-side seat.
The engine bay is uncluttered and looks fairly tidy. The seller doesn’t mention whether he’s replaced any belts or filters, but that’s a pretty easy job on a car like this – if you’re already in there fixing the brakes, why not freshen it up. The listing doesn’t detail whether this is the numbers-matching unit, but surely an air-cooled enthusiast could spot some obscure detail that’s unique to an early Beetle and tell us whether this is indeed the correct engine for a Bug from this era. Regardless, an oval window Beetle in restorable condition is always a desirable find, so I don’t blame the seller for asking $20K. I do think he’s going to have to settle for a bit less, but not by much.
I wouldn’t be a buyer@ that price but I’m sure someone will be.Looks like it’s missing a bolt on the intake :-)
Good eye Harvey!
Not missing a bolt, Bug carburetors had studs in the carb that went through holes in the intake flange and washers and nuts tightened up from the bottom.
@Jim Williams, I believe he may have been talking about where the left front intake runner fastens to the head.
That missing bolt is for the heat riser tube where it connects to the exhaust.
What happened to the oil-bath air cleaner? Hopefully, the seller still has it.
I remember my dad drove one of these ’56s in the 60s. I also remember my brother and I got car sick because the back windows didn’t roll down, the car reeked of gasoline, and the horsehair carpet was similar to sandpaper.
Likely gas was likely spilled in the front trunk compartment where the gas tank is filled. All too easily happened.
Why did your mother wipe your brothers butt with the carpet?
It would make me sick too.
What in the world?
What’s wrong with you?
Probably too low blood sugar, crap happens.
That carpet was the worst. Not tactile at all. When us kids would flip down the back seat to watch movies at the drive-in, we had to lay down several blankets over it. One time we forgot the blankets, and it was the most miserable experience ever.
Where is the oil-bath air cleaner? Hopefully, the seller still has it.
Is that a gas gauge on the dash? I thought that these early models had no gas gauge, but had a lever on the interior of the firewall to flip when it sputtered in out-of-gas mode to give you another gallon to get to the gas pump. It also had a roller (like a small cart wheel) for the gas pedal. Perhaps it was an earlier model, but they had the flip up flag lights on the B-pillar for turn signals. While the price may seem strong, I’ll bet they get it. These are so rare these days and highly desirable by the cognicenti of early VWs.
The gas gauge was dealer installed. I put one in mine. It had a pump on it and you pushed it a couple of times to tell you how much was in the tank.
The Google drive photo’s show the roller gas pedal. I also wondered about the gas gauge, now I know. I do have one question… the radio. This is the first time I have ever seen a car radio that apparently at starts at the high end of the frequency and goes down! 1700 khz to 540 khz, they always go from low to high. I have a back window from a 56 or 57 complete with a peace symbol sticker on it. I removed from a car in high school, so prior to 1970. Now I just need a car to put around it…
You are right. Had a 1957 – no gas gauge and no turn signals. Bought it for $75.00 and sold it for $75.00.
My brain automatically read the price as $2000… Different times
I put a 1956 body on a 1965 floor pan. Plus I had a 1961 porche engine in it. It was a nice sleeper and I could get the speedometer to from 0 around to 0. A little scary with stock tires.
I worked for the VW dealership on the Vineyard from 1968 to 1978 and that looks to be the correct engine. A solid generator tower means it’s at least a 36 hp engine.
“Didn’t Hitler send these to bomb us (gas tank in frnt)?” my 64 y/o garage-mate said.
(Became popular in mid-late ’50s in ‘merica. Long after his demise). What bout the early usa’s w/dash bd tanks (20s, 30s) or the pinto?
while working at a service station i remember 1 VW .To check the oil you had to give the rear bumper a nudge down to open the hatch.One day the bumper hit the ground,i gently lifted it back into place….’oils good see ya’….lol
I thought I remembered that. Ida Santucci (our baby-sitter when I was really young) had one and it was difficult to get the trunk lid open with the bumper overriders.
Also, the only filter they had was a fuel filter near the carburetor…no oil filter and only 3 qts in the sump. With the older oils, you really needed to change oil every 1500 miles, especially in the VWs. Engine rebuilds or replacement after 50K if you didn’t watch out. At least that’s my recollection.
They did have an oil strainer that was to be cleaned at each oil change. How well it actually worked was anyone’s guess, I suppose.
Looks complete except for the missing air filter which was an oil bath type.The floors look a little rusty. Price is high.
While serving in Germany in 1968, I bought a ’57 oval window bug. It was not the ‘export model, and still had mechanical brakes! Reminded me of a Model A I had in high school.
It had the fuel tank reserve lever and semaphore turn signals. It also had a canvas “sunroof” that was fastened with snaps. Never saw another like it. I wondered if it was aftermarket? Fun to drive but little or no heat. My wife and I Iived in a small village near my Army base. If it didn’t start, my wive got in and I pushed her down the street yelling “pop the clutch”. Great memories!! The neighbors thought us insane GIs . Couldn’t drive on base until inspected. Sure enough, failed due to ball joints. Every car I ever had inspected, failed ball joints!! How many younger people have ever had to “pop a clutch today?
In 1973 I sold my 1957 for $75.00.
Pretty complete and not messed with. He’ll get the money.
I was a bit puzzled at first by the later park / turn signal lamps on the front fenders, but it almost looks as if the originals (low down on the outside edges) were replaced and the holes for them filled in?
Certainly looks to have potential!
Wrong front turn signals . . I’ve owned two 56’s . .
Mine didn’t have turn signals just a flap that came out the door posts and lit up
Located in Somerville, NJ
All I know is I love it, I would be tempted to restomod it but that might be sacrilege.
I remember buying old VW’s like this for 50.00 to 100.00, that was 50 years ago
re the need to push the bumper down to open the deck lid: That’s either because someone didn’t install the rear bumper correctly, or it’s been gently (??) tapped by someone’s car. If the bumper is correctly installed, and no “tapping” by other cars, the deck lid opens just fine. Both are easily fixed.
Those are definitely the wrong turn signal lights on the front fenders. They should be (in VW nomenclature) “bullet lights”. Andrew is correct, some PO has put the later style lights on top of the fenders. However, from the photos, they didn’t get the location of them right. They should be more centered to the headlight. Sad they removed the “bullet lights”. In addition to the Oval window, the “bullet lights” are one of the cool things denoting an Oval.
Those front turn signal lights mounted to the top of the fender were introduced in 1958. Some Bug changes for the ’56 model year were the chromed dual tail pipes, formerly single pipe. Tail light housings moved 2″ higher on fenders. Bumper overrider bows added. Sunroof made of plastic fabric, formerly cloth. Steering wheel diameter spoke (horizontal) moved lower off center. Heater knob moved forward. Front seat backs now made adjustable. Redesigned gas tank yields larger luggage space. This was a lot of one year changes for the beetle.
I owned a ’56 back in the 60’s when bugs were not really cool, but I sure enjoyed it back then. I tricked it out with old school Porsche chrome wheels, custom paint for the time. Custom interior and tinted windows (spray can tint) yes you could buy it back in the 60’s. Most of my HS buddies were driving 50’s Chevy’s or Fords, but I still liked my old VW! I never would have thought they would command the kind of money they do today.
The Barrel keeps getting deeper?
I’ve seen this car on here before.
I had to replace the link pins and bushings on the front suspensions of both my 56 VW’s . . The parts were dirt cheap from J C Whitney back in the day . . After You installed the bushings they had to be reamed out for the pins to fit . . You had to have the correct size reamer . . I don’t remember if it came with the kit or was extra . . Easy job . .