This 1960 Volkswagen Beetle is said to wear a rare paint code known as Indian Red, which the seller claims was only sold in 1960. The color itself is quite attractive, slotting in between in-your-face signal red and some drab shade of maroon. The Beetle has been repainted once before but the seller has left it alone, citing the pleasing patina it presents with today. The car has undergone a modest restoration, with the repair efforts focused on the areas of an old air-cooled Beetle that are almost always more of a priority than the bodywork. Find the Beetle here on craigslist for $14,995 near Bend, Oregon.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Gunter K. for the find. If you’re like me, this Beetle checks a lot of boxes in terms of your perfect air-cooled specimen. An earlier model with the small taillights, chrome bumpers with over-riders, and the steel wheels with chrome dog dish-style hubcaps (I’d also want mine with the period-correct roof rack as well.) The seller was absolutely correct to not focus his repair efforts on the body, as the paint is weathered just enough to look pleasingly authentic, even with the prior respray noted.
I don’t know if this interior scheme is original (somehow I doubt it), but the Indian Red paint job and matching painted dash mesh surprisingly well with the olive green upholstery and door panels. The seller does disclose the interior is brand new, so while it seems unlikely that it was originally green inside, it’s certainly a daring look. The bigger news is how much other work has been done that you can’t see, including new replacement floor pans, heater channels, and “…every little piece of rubber,” which the seller emphasizes really does include all rubber components on the car being replaced.
The 1200cc engine was torn down completely, with the seller noting the case was split and then balanced and blueprinted with new pistons and heads. The braking system has been completely overhauled and the seller also notes that the “…split case transaxle was replaced with a 1964 transaxle for four full synchromesh gears.” Other improvements include a new gas tank, 12-volt conversion and new wiring harness, new tires, and more. This Beetle is an attractive find, both for its rare paint scheme and significant mechanical improvements beneath the surface.
I wish I was closer, I would definitely be checking this out with cash-in-hand!
I really like how the owner spent the time to perform a sympathetic restoration keeping most of the originality intact. I like the color as well. Very attractive period color works well with the Beetle curves. Most people would be inclined to remove the original 1200cc and install a later 1600cc dual port. The engine bay is simple and elegant. 15K is a lot of Beetle juice but I’m sure they have a lot more into it.
My dad had a ’58 Opel Rekord in the exact same color. I like it as well.
Normally I’m a fan of “leave it alone”. But, with the newer interior and the fact that it’s been repainted once, plus the fact that the left rear fender appears to have been repainted sometime after the rest of the car, and it’s such a nice color, I think a respray of this in that great original color would really make it “shine”.
I actually like the green interior. A bit unusual and probably not for everyone, but I think it goes with the quirkiness of the color.
With all the mechanicals having been done this could be quite the eye-catcher!
Colors remind me of a late 50’s early 60’s kitchen with a avocado green oster can opener next to a pink coral bakelite Zenith table top radio. Cool I like it , the colors and the car.
This little charmer has come too far to stop here. Straighten the scrapes & dings, re-chrome and repaint it.
“Indian Red”. I wonder if it’s OK to order this paint color, or has the name been changed?
It’s now Commander Red
Or Guardian Red…
Yup, just as it is ok to ask a lame question and politicize a post about a rather nice car … FYI the colour Indian Red has been around for a very long time, since the 1670’s in fact, and refers to the colour of the soil in a little old country called India…Perhaps you’ve heard of it?
I’m one of the lucky ones who also has a 1960 Bug in Indian Red (VW Paint Code L451). Read somewhere where this color was only offered for six months or so…makes sense. According to the VW Build Certificate, my Bug was built in October of 1959. Folks often ask me if I’d like to sell it and my response is not no, but “Hell No”. It is too much fun to drive, too easy to maintain, too reliable, and has ZERO computers/PC boards/electronic gimmickry. Besides, it’s in my will for my youngest son to inherit when I’m called home.
The seller put a lot more than $14,995 into this car. It sounds like he got carried away in his desire to do an outstanding rebuild job.
I love the color, too; even though the left rear fender doesn’t match.
Coincidentally, this Indian red is very similar to Indian Ceramic which was offered on Kaiser and Frazer cars and certain Willys Jeep models, namely the Tuxedo Park.
That’s the same color my Dad repainted his ’53 Buick
that he bought new.