This 1963 Volkswagen Beetle is back for its second go-round on eBay, and it’s hard to see why it didn’t sell the first time. It’s an original paint survivor wearing great colors and equipped with some nice options, like the canvas sliding sunroof. The Gulf Blue paint is obviously tired, but it’s also gratifying to see that no one has repainted it in the past. The seller notes that the interior is also largely original, and only minor tweaks have been made to make the Beetle safe to drive. The drivetrain is said to be solid, and numbers matching to boot. Find it here on eBay where bidding is over $10K with a Buy-It-Now of $13,900.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for the find. The Beetle is an earlier model, with the smaller taillight assemblies and chrome bumpers with overriders. While it’s not the super desirable oval window example, the originality pushes it a few notches higher. The VW retains its original floorboards in addition to its numbers-matching engine, which is practically unheard of in the air-cooled Beetle world. The car still wears old-school California black plates, and one would assume given the lack of corrosion, it has been a West Coast car all of its life. The seller notes the only real rot issues are limited to the bottom right side of decklid and upper right side of engine compartment.
While original interiors are always a treat, a cabin like this with light upholstery and door panels that still looks this good had to reside in the care of a careful owner. The same goes for the painted dashboard and original steering wheel, which show no major blemishes in the photos. The interior also features new window and door rubber seals. Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like the original steering wheel remains installed in the dash. The rubber floor mat is original to the car, but the seller notes the carpet, headliner, and canvas roof have all been replaced with new materials.
The Beetle retains what sounds like a strong running engine, as the seller says it runs and drives beautifully. Recent maintenance includes new tires and brakes, and the electrical system is said to be in fine shape. Other OEM details include the original spare tire and wheels, the latter wearing a healthy dose of patina. Beetles like this that haven’t been modified or updated with a later replacement engine are difficult to find, and even more so when it’s an earlier model like this. Bidding is already close to the Buy-It-Now number, so it seems likely that this survivor Beetle will find a new home soon.
My first car back in 1976. Loved that ragtop sunroof.
Great car, great original color. Put a high quality original color paint job on it and you’ve got something. It deserves to look as good as it really is.
Exactly! One man’s “Ooooooh, patina!” is another man’s “Boy, does this heap need a paint job!”
I will say, having lived through the years of used Beetles commanding two- and three-digit sale price, I can’t wrap my head around spending $14K for one, though.
And I won’t even mention the 21-window Bus I could have had for $850.00….
😃i took 2 21 window👎 van’s
2 the crusher back in the day 1965, 1 owners,they were
purched by friend’s 2 camp together, which they did 4 10 yrs they both needed brakes, tire’s clutches & valve job & a few other
thing’s, it was going to be more than they payed 4
them, so they said
forget, the dealer didn’t want them sitting around & nobody wanted a used bus with repair’s then
😎
I’m a 1963 model year also.
…& this VW pretty much depicts how I feel.
(…still in pretty good condition overall, but showing some signs of “normal wear & tear” from the mileage & the weather.) :-P
…& I used to live in Ventura CA too.
(Hmmmm… Maybe this car is my long lost brother?) :-)
That car has had a repaint. It was originally light blue metallic. Time for a new coat.
Volkswagen’s didn’t offer light blue metallic on any models in 1963.
My brother & I have turned over sooooo many Beetles, back when they could be had (nice, not running) for $50. Most times they just needed tuning, or the pushrods put back in place. Ah, the late 70’s early 80’s were a great time to be a teenager. That being said, as solid as this car appears, it seems like a LOT of coin for a Beetle that needs a complete paint. Just my $0.02.
What you failed to say is that they were all 12 volt IRS cars, which drove better. Hard to believe how long ago that was. Hey, they financed my Impala & your Cutlass…….
Lots of my friends had them as first cars – I got them for hauling them off and sold parts to my buddies and who ever need body parts. After they were stripped I sold the chassis to guys that wanted a dune buggy. This was in the early 70’s….
Agree with the others that it’s somewhat overpriced. There are several Super Beetles, even some convertibles, that at least appear to be in much better shape than this for sale in the $10-15k price range.
Don’t recall seeing any metallic paint jobs on the early Beetles. Two or three shades of blue but no metallics until the big bumper cars.
I’d look at the floor pan, with the surface rust on the fan shroud. Paint this beauty its original color and enjoy Had a lot of fun working on these and driving them. Good luck and stay safe!
cheers
GPC
While I wouldn’t do it with this car, I’d take
one of these and turn it into a Herbie clone for my neice– after I teach her how
to drive a 4-speed! This would be a great first car for her. Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, and cheap to keep!
I used to run around in a ’65 and loved it. I’m sorry I sold it. This car is about 600 miles from me and I have no room. I’m also concerned about the price,
but it is matching numbers, a sunroof (by Golde, the OEM supplier to VW, no
less so it’s probably OK but I think it’s too high. With a very good paint job and whatever else it needs you are probably North of $5000.00 plus the acquisition cost and you’ll love it to death.
Would take the matching engine and store it carefully, then make a nice sleeper our of it. 2056 with twin webers, freeway flyer, better handling. Would be fun attention getter. Overpriced as-is
overpriced and too much external rust,they should cut the price to 5,000.
No clamps on fuel line. ouch thoes woven fuel lines will blow off.
In VW lingo, that canvas top is referred to as a rag top. Convertibles are cabriolets.
If this was priced right, I would buy it and have a show quality paint job done. It would be so beautiful without all that rust.
It seems hard to believe that a VW bug brings this kind of money!! When I bought one in better looking shape than this do $50. Back in the 80’s when I needed some reliable transportation to get back and forth to work!! Nice looking bug though!!!