The VW Type 1 (or Beetle or Bug) is one of the most produced automobiles of all time. Between 1938 and 2003, worldwide production reached 21.5 million units. It takes a real Beetle expert to tell most Bugs from one year to the next and changes to the 1956 Type 1, like the one here, were minor. This survivor has been in storage since 2012 and likely hasn’t run since then. But the simplicity of these things, plus their air-cooled design, probably means getting this one going again might not be a herculean effort.
The first Beetle was produced in 1938 but the war effort prevented much else from happening until the late 1940s. The 1949 Beetles were the first to reach U.S. shores and it took most of the 1950s for the little car to catch on. But it finally did and by the 1960s it was hard to turn the corner without running into one. But they were cheap and disposable, which explains why most of the millions built have long since gone to the crusher.
You might ask how different was the 1956 Type 1 from the 1955 model. Well, the optional sunroof switched from cloth to plastic, the gear shift handle was now curved, the bumpers had overrides added, and they could carry a little more fuel and luggage. Also, the tires were finally tubeless (hurray!). When I was in high school, it seemed like ¼ of all the cars in the student parking lot were Beetles.
We’re told this Bug – one with the oval rear window – was acquired through an online purchase 12 years ago. It had been a daily driver up to that time and parts that were new then included the clutch, shocks, tires, and so forth. Since the car has always been in New York State, it has a transferrable registration since they didn’t adopt tiles until the 1970s. We’re told the engine and transmission are probably original at 71,000 miles. Located in Albany, this solid-looking “easy” project is available here on craigslist for $22,500.
This awakens some memories. My godfather owned a ’54 Beetle, painted tan with a brown interior and sporting a Pep Boys’ “STOP” light on the engine cover. After he passed, I had custody of it for a time and absolutely loved driving it. Like Beetles were supposed to do, it would cruise flat-out on the freeways without protest, and with the small windows seemed much cozier inside than newer VeeDubs.
As I recall, he never had a lick of trouble with it, though he racked up considerable mileage. Regular oil and generator/fan belt changes probably had something to do with that. Certainly, it gave me no trouble.
I wouldn’t know about the sunroof (his didn’t have one) but don’t remember any issue with the straight shift lever.
I’ve wanted for years to have one like it, but as Russ says, they’re pretty thin on the ground.
But I’ll just have to rely on memories. At $22.5K, this one’s a bit too rich for my blood. And, of course, the color and trim are “wrong,” but I could deal with that. And, for the full experience, I’d have to find a “STOP” light, plus a factory accessory on his car that really grabbed me: a tool kit packed in what looked like a hubcap that fit on the spare tire. The latter would probably jack the ask up considerably.
Better put an eyeball on this one in person, the northeast is one of the harshest environments in the country as far as rust, check the underside!
Is that prior rust repair around the edges with primer on them? Come on….22.5K for a non running beetle with rust issues? Not me.
Prices on these things are leaving the realm of reality. They were just basic low level transportation cars, not particularly comfortable and somewhat dangerous because they were small and slow. I owned 7 of them and yes the newer ones were better but the description still fits. My ’57 was a real headache….was stopped by the CHP for going too slow on the freeway one time when I had my foot to the floor. It was a trip crossing the Bay Bridge when the wind would blow you into the next lane. They burned valves easily if you didn’t keep the revs up. I guess I shouldn’t complain because they were cheap and got me where I was going in my poverty stricken college days, but no nostalgia. Someone will buy this and enjoy it, but for $22k?
I agree, all this shows is the classic term, “I have one, you don’t, if you want one, it will cost you”, plenty. No different than any other unobtainable item. Look at 12 cent comic books. To most rational thinking people, of course 5 figures is unheard of, but as usual, anyone with any real connection just shakes their heads. Think 1st gen Bronco. Every minute indeed.
This one has a rebuilt 1600 motor, not 1200 36 hp, and seems overpriced. There is a neat original 61 with the original 36 hp rebuilt, and rebuilt trans too, on the Samba site for about $12k or less. Many years ago, in the early 70’s, I rebuilt a 59 VW with the 36 hp, using JC Whitney hop up parts and header exhaust. It ran well on the dirt roads to the ranch and up and down the hill roads of Mendocino Co. That’s when things were cheap and life was easy. At several places my rent was $25 a month! That’s before the vineyards had matured to produce, and things got crazy. The previous owner had replaced the headliner on my 59 with “starry sky” fabric, very hippy.
You can’t really compare a 61 to an “Oval” price wise. A 61 is a far better car, but Ovals and Splits are the more valuable cars.
1961 had 40 HP. My folks bought one new.
Six volt system!
And it has the vase on the dash.
Classic Bug.
My grandmother had one of these … in very rural Louisiana it was a rarity … as kids we liked climbing into the space behind the rear seats …