The Volkswagen Beetle has one of the most easily recognized shapes in automotive history. Produced as an affordable people’s car, an impressive 21.5 million of these little classics rolled off the line before production ended in 2003. This 1967 example is a promising candidate for a project. It could remain an unmolested survivor, but a simple partial interior retrim would significantly improve its appearance. The seller has listed the Beetle here on eBay in Houston, Texas. Bidding sits at $3,601 in a No Reserve auction.

The seller is sparing in their information, meaning we must use our powers of observation to assess this classic. Its panels wear a shade called Ruby Red, which was added to the Beetle color palette in August 1960. It holds a nice shine, with surprisingly few scratches and chips for an unrestored vehicle of this vintage. I see nothing suggesting that rust could be a problem, and since this VW has spent its garage-kept life in Texas, the lack of anything beyond dry surface corrosion in the underside shots is unsurprising. The glass is clear, and the trim looks acceptable for a driver-grade classic. Overall, choosing preservation over restoration would seem a valid option for the winning bidder.

This Beetle features the correct Black leatherette interior, 1-of-4 trim choices for buyers selecting a Ruby Red exterior. It is presentable, with rips and splits in the front seats that the buyer could camouflage with slipcovers for a few dollars. However, with the remaining upholstered surfaces and the floor mat looking so impressive, I would splash the $490 on a complete seatcover set to ensure uniform color across all seats. Unsurprisingly, this interior features aftermarket air conditioning, and the pushbutton radio will provide in-car entertainment.

We’ve reached the point where this Beetle becomes a mystery. It definitely features the iconic rear-mounted, air-cooled, flat-four, and the seller quotes a capacity of 1,500cc. However, if that is the case, their stated 45hp engine output figure is short of the mark. Volkswagen said in its advertising literature that the 1,500 delivered 53hp, and while the difference isn’t enormous, owners would feel those few additional ponies under their right foot. The power feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transaxle, which is all standard VW fare. The mystery deepens when the question of mechanical condition is posed. The engine bay is clean, and the underside shows no evidence of significant fluid leaks. However, the seller doesn’t indicate whether this classic runs or drives. That may prompt some potential buyers to pose that question before committing funds to the bidding war.

This 1967 Volkswagen Beetle shows enormous promise, and with no apparent rust, the winning bidder could potentially enjoy it immediately while they contemplate whether to undertake any form of restoration. However, the biggest mystery with this car is its mechanical condition. With no information provided, all we can do is speculate. The impressive listing statistics and bid tally of forty-four suggest that people are willing to roll the dice. Would you do the same?