Oval window VW Beetles have enjoyed a premium over their bigger-windowed siblings for years, as air-cooled fanatics tend to swoon over the earlier models. This 1956 model is a massive project, but with some serious money already spent on a mostly rust-free shell. The oval comes with custom-built Porsche wheels and a long block from a Porsche 914. Find the Beetle here on eBay with bidding over $3K and the reserve unmet.
The seller provides some details that point to an interesting history for this Beetle carcass. He notes that the Webasto-style roof was added at a later date due to the original roof being compressed by kids that spent their time jumping on it. This points to a Beetle that was left behind a city building or in a rural creek bed, seen as an ideal target by bored teenagers who didn’t know how rare an oval window was. The seller notes that the fenders remain in good shape, and that an extra set of rear dimple fenders is included.
The original engine is long gone, but the seller is including several worthy replacement components, including a Porsche 914 Type 4 longblock; rebuilt “freeway flyer” transmission; Demello (DMR) balanced rotating assembly; vintage muffler and headers; period turbo kit; and a Kennedy stage one clutch and pressure plate, among several other upgrades. Obviously, all of these parts will need final assembly, but it’s a great starting point for a wicked resto-mod build of a collectible Beetle.
The parts list keeps growing from there, with a set of wicked period Porsche wheels included in the sale as well. The seller clearly had a vision for this oval window Beetle, and it’s a shame he won’t get to see it through. Rust is said to be minimal, with a patch needed in the driver’s side floor pan due to a battery left on top of it. No other rust repair / panel replacement is noted, so it seems like a great foundation with tons of OEM+ parts included. The seller suggests keeping the patina’d exterior in place and restore the rest; I’m inclined to agree with this approach. What about you?
That looks like a great project. The 1.8 engine is a good one. An aftermarket fan and shroud, couple of carbs, and you have a runner.
Calling it Patina… not so much
Would love to have this…. My dream car during my early Buglove days, about 20 years ago.
Some of you pros may correct me, but I think that’s a Type 4 block out of a late ’70s Bus. Round vs square ports?
I’d say the seller is puling the ripcord just in time…..
Please just leave it stock!!! You’re killing me with the porsche engine in the early very rare oval window. Put the porsche engine in a later model, like a 70s super beetle. Put the original 36 hp boxer 4 engine in this one, and wreck a more common beetle by doing wheelies.
Thanks Chevy Guy! You hit the nail on the head. Especially with the part about wheelies.
I’ll take it for my ‘73 Super.
OK deal. While we’re at it, maybe you have a Yugo that you would trade me for an early Porsche 911?
My older brother taught me to drive in a VW of this vintage back in 1960. What a blast. Especially learning to gear down to avoid using the brakes so much.
As I remember those front bumpers were attached to the fenders, not the frame. Somebody backed into his and bent everything back a bit. (That’s what he told me, anyway.)
I helped him chain it to a pole in our back alley and he would back up hard several times until everything was pretty straight again. He got rid of it after he ended up with a wife, 3 kids and a boxer…dog. Just not enough room.
Well, the bumpers are not attached to the frame . . . ‘cuz there is no frame. As close as you are going to get to a frame, is the pan. Don’t know which fenders he is including, but those showing in the provided photos are from post oval-era cars (note the shadows from the larger tail lights)