While it isn’t perfect, this 1964 Volkswagen Beetle is a tidy survivor that could make a great daily driver. It presents well for its age and appears to be mechanically sound. The owner has sunk a fair bit of money into it recently, and it would take little to lift it to the next level. With values continuing to climb steadily, this car could also represent a good long-term investment. Located in Littleton, Colorado, you will find the Beetle advertised here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $9,000, and it appears that he is pretty firm on that figure. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this German classic for us.
There’s a fair bit to consider with this Beetle. The owner states that it originally wore Bahama Blue paint. It has received a cosmetic refresh at some point, and while the current shade is close, it isn’t quite the same. He admits that both rear fenders have been replaced, and while the seller has attempted to match their color to the remaining panels, they aren’t perfect. The same is true of the trunk lid, with its rattle-can finish looking second-rate compared to the rest of the exterior. However, it would take little effort to apply a fresh coat of paint across the entire vehicle to have it presented nicely. The owner has replaced the beading between the rear fenders and the body and rebuilt the headlight buckets. The wheels were stripped and repainted when the rear fenders were refreshed, and with their original hubcaps, they look faultless. The owner identifies some rust under the battery and in the heater channels, but it would be worth performing an in-person inspection to confirm that the car is structurally sound. Many trim pieces have been replaced, including the rear bumper. The glass looks flawless, and the recently restored roof rack offers the perfect finishing touch to this classic.
The design brief for the original Beetle was pretty specific. The company envisaged that the car should be capable of motoring along the German autobahns at 60mph for four hours continuously. The engineers and design team achieve these objectives using a very small and low-powered engine. When we lift the hood on this classic, we find its numbers-matching 1,192cc air-cooled flat-four engine that should be producing 40hp. That power finds its way to the road via a four-speed manual transaxle. The car will run out of breath at around 72mph, but it should still cruise on the open road comfortably at the stated 60mph. The owner says that this classic is in sound mechanical health. He has recently replaced many components, including the rear axle boots. The braking system received an overhaul, with a new master cylinder and new shoes, drums, and wheel cylinders on all corners. It rolls on a set of fresh tires from the people at BF Goodrich and now has only minor mechanical needs. The engine has a small oil leak from one pushrod tube, and there is a transmission leak from the nose cone. Otherwise, the Beetle is ready and raring to go with a new owner behind the wheel.
This Beetle’s interior remains serviceable and generally presents quite well. I believe that the seats wear later covers, and apart from some minor flaws on the driver’s seat, the upholstery is in good order. The headliner shows some of the staining that is common with these classics, but there are no significant rips or other problems. The painted surfaces look crisp and clean, and the interior has no immediate needs. It features an AM radio, although this only operates intermittently. However, given the uncomplicated nature of the electrical systems in these Beetles, returning it to a fully functioning state should not be difficult.
I initially said that this 1964 Volkswagen Beetle could make a good long-term investment, and I stand by that remark. Values have climbed steadily in recent years, with these classics experiencing an increase of around 30% since 2017. They remain affordable at present, but they are slowly edging out of the average person’s reach. When you consider this classic’s originality and overall condition, the owner’s asking price looks hugely competitive. Lifting its overall presentation from its current level to a higher standard would not be difficult or expensive, and would see its potential value climb well past $20,000. When you put those factors together, this 1964 Beetle looks like it could be a great buy at the price. It has only been listed for a short time, and I suspect somebody will snap it up pretty quickly.
Nice looking Beetle! The asking price is very reasonable if the rust underneath is minimal. Nice thing about the Beetle is the excellent parts sources to repair or replace. I still cringe whenever is see those plastic fuel filters placed directly over the distributor. You know you can’t use water to put out a magnesium fire. Please move it underneath next to the transaxle.
Or maybe forget about a plastic fuel filter and replace it with metal or classy glass/chrome? But yeah, that’s a terrible place to have one anyway.
So true Steveo, the problem, with Corvairs also so a belt break. Picture that at speed.
Nice car for a nice price. Kudos to the owner for a very thorough description of good and bad. It will sell…..
Ahh! A beetle in the “Bahamablau” color. I used to love to start arguments over the color of my Bahamablau 1965 beetle. Is it blue or is it green?
I would drive it, foot to the floor, and hit a staggering 70 MPH. Then my passenger and I would roll up the windows to reach 72.
The car here is a nice example of a 64 beetle. And I do like the color a lot. Ah, memories …
The appeal for these iconic cars seems to be timeless. I’d consider a convertible. Easy to maintain. Fun factor is quite high.
The most versatile car ever designed. Good ole Porsche at his best.
Beauty is the sum of imperfections so I’d keep beauty exactly as-is (except for the seat covers–they’d have to go).
Any Corvair I owned would kick butt over any Bettle, winter or summer. But Corvair values are kicked butt by underpowered Bettles.. why?
Firstly, it´s -Beetle-, not bettle. Secondly, you are comparing apples with oranges; the VW is iconic, it is a timeless design, which with minor modifications can be used in any environment, or any application. It represented an entirely new concept of transportation and remains a much loved and appreciated little car to this day, almost 90 years after its inception.
Because the bug is overall a better car by design.
It’s without question an exceptional find. It has the distinction, and will go down in history, of a lackluster, underpowered, uncomfortable car, properly marketed, into one of the most popular cars ever. One simply can’t argue with that. Okay, I realize they aren’t $50 bucks anymore, what most of us paid for one but I’m always amazed, it will take someone $9000 dollars to find that out. In case some may have not noticed, I tend to follow the beat of a different drum, but I’d take the Dauphine any day.
Your predictions as to the future of the Beetle´s reputation are like all prophecies – merely conjecture. As to the supposed lack of power, it was normal for its time. As far as lack of comfort goes, that is largely a matter of perspective. Compared to a Buick Riviera it was underpowered and uncomfortable, but so were the majority of automotive offerings of the time. The most uncomfortable, pitifully performing car I have ever driven was a Jaguar XK 140 with a Borg Warner automatic trany; it couldn´t get out of its own way. As far as the Dauphine goes, you are more then welcome. Any commentary about it, would be superfluous.
I think the best way to describe the Beetle was a car that appealed to that masses as a reliable, well built, and economical mode of transport. They were tough and they had excellent traction which many cars lacked. Even in salt laden areas they still managed to last as long as contemporaries so they were good value. The Beetle was my first car and while I was not one of the cool kids in school I truly believe that car saved my life. If I got the 68 Firebird I probably would have wrapped it around a tree.
It is gone. So wish it were coming to my house.