The history of the “people’s car” is rooted in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. The Nazi party’s successor to the country’s labor unions – aka the German Labour Front – founded Volkswagen in 1937 after Hitler ordered that a cheap, mass-produced car should be made for German citizens. A savings plan was created to ease acquisition of the new car, but despite eager participation, not one car was delivered to prospective owners under the program. In fact, only a few cars were produced at all before war broke out in 1939. But at the war’s conclusion in 1945, VW made up for lost time: almost 22 million Beetles hit the roads worldwide over a 65-year manufacturing run, turning the Beetle into the second best-selling car in history. Here on eBay is a denizen of this historical success, a 1963 VW Beetle in running condition but with mild needs. This VW is bid to $4150, reserve not met, and it’s located in Eden, Utah.
For 1963, the Beetle was delivered with the same 1192 cc air-cooled flat-four that was available in 1954, except that ignition and other improvements nudged output to 34 hp. The Beetle’s hitchy four-speed manual transaxle remained a constant, with upgrades in 1961 when shifting was synchro’d, and all along the way as the clutch diameter increased. The seller suggests that before considering this Beetle roadworthy, it will need brake work.
The interior is worn – with the upholstery simply missing off the rear seats, and the headliner in need of replacement. That’s an after-market steering wheel but originals are not hard to find. The floors are rust-free, as are the heat passages, but forward of the driver’s running board is a rust hole. The car was originally red; vestiges of the original paint can still be seen in the trunk. The radio is missing, and the horn has a short. But the headlamps, tail lamps, and gas gauge all work. The roof rack only looks vintage, but it’s attractive!
Much controversy surrounds the question: who designed the Beetle? We used to think Ferry Porsche was responsible for its lines, but he was buddies with Hans Ledwinka over at Tatra, as was Hitler. The similarities between the rear-engined Tatra 97 and the Beetle can’t be denied, and Porsche admitted that the two “looked over each other’s shoulders”. Meanwhile, other engineers had created their own “people’s cars”, including Jaray, Ganz, and Barényi – most of which resembled the Beetle. No matter who designed it, the Beetle was immensely popular and remains so today – with price part of its appeal. Very fine Beetles from the early 1960s can be had for $20k and sometimes less. This seller might want to consider lifting his reserve to encourage a new owner to perform the work required to bring this one to the next level.
I’d like to begin this awesome post with a bit of a hitch. I happen to know, the 1st paragraph is going to be offensive to some. In defense of the author, it’s tough to describe the history of a VW, and not include the words used, those words are still extremely offensive, and probably should not be used. I realize what I said about how unfairly Germany was treated, and we’ve made great strides, but in these times, where it’s so important not to offend anyone, it’s still out there. It’s okay, I’ve accepted the past as just that. With as many that view this site,( toilet post #’s) best to be cool.
So,,,the ’63 Bug was nothing special, Bug-wise. Quick correction( I hate this) this Bug is all over the place. 1st, it’s a 1200 and usually 40hp. and the 1300 decklid is from 1966. Amber turn signals came out late ’63, most had white, the ’63 had an improved fresh(er) air heating system and muffler, still worthless, and a gas gauge was now standard( ’62). Wrong headlights for a ’63,( ’67) in fact, I might go so far as to say, this might be a ’67? Whachootink?
Agree. I’m restoring a ’62 sunroof and ’63 sedan. This ain’t neither.
Ferdinand Porsche had been noodling ideas for a ‘people’s car’ well before getting involved with Hitler’s project. In fact, several manufacturers had all been working on something similar. All accounts I’ve read of the man (Porsche) suggest he was apoliltical.
Ferdinand Porsche joined the Nazi party and the SS before the war. He was instrumental in creating Germany’s war machinery. He was arrested by the French ostensibly for condoning slave labor in Germany’s factories though as a practical matter he didn’t have much choice regarding labor sources. It was not unusual for businessmen to gravitate to the Nazis in an era of profligate government spending.
It’s worth pointing out that Adolf Rosenberger, co founder and business manager of Porsche, was forced out early on, with his contributions nearly obliterated from historical mention.
Sorry, I come here for the cars, not the politics. There are other forums better suited for that.
More like a history lesson. We can’t change the past. And we don’t want to forget either.
I believe the engine lid licence plate light is 67 or later (wider. 66 and earlier were more “nose” shaped. Most likely, over the past 50 years, things got bent or rusted and replaced with whatever was at the junk yard. We know from the 5 bolt wheels that it’s pre-68. Beetle heaters were always garbage. Dad always got his with the auxiliary gas heater.
I guess that we should also leave Japanese vehicles off the site too.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting Volkswagons should be left “off the site”. I see nothing wrong with simply stating facts. There are many references to the founding of many different auto manufacturers, foreign and domestic, so why not the Beetle? As for this particular car, I don’t see why the bidding is so high. I see others, in similar condition, locally for less than half $.
The tubes to send air to the heater boxes are capped! Utah gets cold. The owner must be a small Yeti.
The oil filler cap may be for the oil standpipe on a house. Very sturdy.
I had a 62 and several older beetles and the alternator looks much bigger than I recall.
Did the 63 have an oil bath filter?
An eclectic melage.
the vw plant after ww2 was offered to leyland /austin .but they turned it down .the germans worked hard to restore the bombed factories .and won in the car world .avoiding tea breaks strikes unions lazy workers dominos sleeping bags hiring of unqualified employees .the decline of the once great british car companies soon came a very sad time .
I had a ’63 rag top and a lot of this car is NOT 1963! Those front fenders are from a later model. The turn signals on a 63 are white and smaller. Also the headlights should have the glass cover over them…
Design of VW Beetle (Käfer in German, Ladybug) came before 1939, but series production started after war ended in may 1945.
In August 1944, Roy Fedden l, one of main names in development of Bristol Single Sleeve Valve Aircraft Engines, was granted patent GB570814, for ‘Improvements relating road vehicles’
The car body in drawing mimics a VW Beetle.
I have owned, maintained and improved 63, 66, 70 and 72 beetles. This ad ain’t right.
Johnny Cash and his lunch box might have been involved
It looks like a 72 not a 62
Most quickly identifiable differences were that 72’s had 4 bolt wheels, bumpers were completely different with a horizontal rib, high back seats and shoulder belts and an external fuel filler door on passenger side.
The door handles suggest that 1963 is correct. Car would benefit from a set of hubcaps and maybe a wax job. Drive it as is. It has a had an interesting history. As has Germany…