Oval window Volkswagen Beetles are always in demand, and are rare enough that you can’t be too choosy when trying to sniff one out. So it’s hard to believe that a survivor like this 55K mile example still exists, in highly original condition with just one repaint in its factory colors. The Beetle is a 1957 model with documented history, showing it was sold new in the UK to an American before being shipped home. It resided in New York before making its way to Maine, where it still resides today, likely stationed at someone’s summer home. The Beetle is now listed here on eBay with a suggested opening bid of $21,500 and no action yet at that starting point.
The original paint code is Horizon Blue, and the seller contends the respray was done to a high level. The bodywork certainly looks quite tidy, and of course, the oval window is what gets air-cooled enthusiasts hot and bothered. The nose features the bullet-style turn signals, and bumpers are the classic chrome units with overriders. The Beetle remained in New York from 1962 to 1997 before sojourning to Maine, and it seems likely that it followed its owners when they decided the chaos of the city was no place to spend their retirement years. Despite Maine’s harsh climate, the Beetle had to have been kept indoors in the winter months – the sheetmetal is simply too nice.
Look at that blissfully simple dash. This is a throwback to a simpler time, for certain, and that’s not a bad thing. The originality on display is impressive, and the seller further notes that the Beetle is accompanied by the original dealer jackets, owner’s manuals, tool kit, jack, and spare tire. To not have lost those details over all of the years speaks to very careful ownership, as less attentive owners would have tossed those items out eons ago. I would assume the interior remains largely original, unless the seats and trim were redone when the respray occurred – but they actually look just tired enough, and the carpets have some light soiling, that would seem to confirm it remains as it looked when it was shipped home all those years ago.
It remains a numbers-matching example, which is hard to find on an air-cooled Bug of any generation and regardless of ownership history. We’ve seen some immaculate specimens that still have replacement engines under the lid. This Beetle has clearly been cared for and loved on since new, and the seller notes that affection continues in the form of recent maintenance that includes a valve adjustment, carburetor adjustment, new plugs, and a fresh battery. The transmission is said to shift smoothly and the brakes work as they should. An expensive purchase, yes, but one that looks to be worth every penny if you need an oval window in your life.
Awesome. 74 Beetle was my first car in ‘86. I never knew that the older ones put the ignition key on the passenger side? Crazy. Very cool.
Another low mile total bullshirt story. Oval windows came with rubber floor and tunnel mats. This one has old worn out carpet.
The seat covers and door panels are new.
The bumpers are cheap Brazilian repros.
57 engines did not come with wire routing tubes.
The serial number listed is missing a digit.
This seller knows better, I see him on Samba (vintage VW site) all the time.
@Luki..
My original engine 57 Oval that I found on Barn Finds has ignition wire routing tubes…
https://barnfinds.com/texas-oval-well-1957-volkswagen-beetle/
My aunt brought ine like it from England to Cleveland. Iurs had the big sun roof.
@Bruce 👍🏻🛠
Having been an avid vintage aircooled enthusiast for at least 40 years, I believe this to be an honest and well cared for unit. Based on what is presented in the ad., I would however challenge the mileage claim without documentation. In addition, because it is in an auction status, I believe the opening bid to be a little strong. Let the bidders motivation dictate where it will go. So far as criticizing details, I won’t go there because personalizing your Beetle is part of the charm of owning one of these iconic people movers. The Beetles that command the large money are the pre-56, 57 models (splits and coachbuilts). Personally, I still own a 1954 36hp Judson supercharged Beetle. It never ceases to draw in curiosity.
Luki and Tempo, great commentary. Hopefully this will help a potential buyer make a decision. Most of the points you made I hadn’t heard or thought of . I cut my teeth on VW’s in the 60’s- regular repairs, dunebuggies, even did a body swap of a rollover bug with a body that we had discarded from a dunebuggy, was a california bug body. Charged the guy $75 for the swap and the body. Fooling around with these simple, beautiful cars was a fun time for this 16 year old!!!!
Looks nice enough, but what’s going on with the little front lamps that seem to point almost up to the sky? Were the housings accidentally swapped side-for-side or what?
I had a 61 convertible, a 63 sedan, a 67 sedan with ac, a 68 sedan and a new 73 super beetle convertible. It drives me crazy to see all the huge horsepower wars today. We got along great with the 36 horsepower of the day.
Hey Jeff,
The thumbs up was meant for your efforts. I had Bruce’s name in my head from another ad.
Had the same car, color and all. Bought it for $25.00 in 1972 – sold it for $75.00 when Iowa was going try to introduce an inspection law.
I’m not going to complain about the price on this one (yay) it’s clearly for someone that wants a new ’57 Bug, cost no object. It’s no wonder America fell in love with the VW, it was so radically different than any American car at the time. There was a huge segment of the buying public, where this car was perfect, and VW hit the nail on the head. Cheap, dependable transportation, okay, a bit chilly, but generally, people didn’t spend hours in their cars like today, and VW’s were for just short trips. A VW with a set of “Town and Country’s” and not much could stop it, we tried. Everybody has a VW story( or 3) and it all started right here, with the late 50’s Bug. Cool find.
Not going to be making oval window bugs anymore , she close enough ..Cry babies .
Really clean example of a late 50’s bug!! It may not be period correct but it is in good drivable shape!!!
I do not see a gas gage, but i do see a clock – ridiculous. lol
I guess you just keep an eye on the odometer?
Is there a windshield defroster? Then again, the heater was nothing to brag about from air cooled motors.
Beautiful simplistic car, though.
You could buy an aftermarket gauge, but most just relied on the “reserve” valve above the gas pedal.( can’t see it here) When the motor coughed, it took some fancy footwork to move the lever and took a few seconds, slowing your progress even more. I think reserve was like 3/4 gallon, good for about another 25 miles, then we all got out and pushed,,,
You did not have a gas gage. If you started to run out of fuel, on the kick plate above the accelerator was a quarter turn valve. Pus it down and you had about a gallon in reserve. Worked well on my 60 model.
They did not have gas gages in 57. There is a “reserve” lever that you turn with one gallon of gas so you can get to the next station.
@Howard,
You’re right about the reserve lever that’s connected to an inline fuel filter that screws into the underside of the gas tank. In addition, clever period accessories were available to do away with what you described as clever footwork. One was a small rubber ball that fit over the end of the reserve lever. This added a more substantial surface area for your foot to manipulate. The second was an extension arm that fit over the end of the reserve lever and the other end mounted just in reach of the operator to switch over by hand. This reserve amount would guarantee to get you to where you needed to be…a gas station