The so-called “people’s car,” the Beetle was built between 1938 and 2003, with millions of copies produced and consumed world-wide. It was officially known as the Volkswagen Type 1, informally in German the Käfer (meaning “beetle”) and the Bug in the English-speaking parts of the globe. Changes were minimum year over year for 65 turns around the calendar, where parts were usually interchangeable for some time. These two Beetles, 1956 and 1957 editions, will be sold as a pair and are said to be mostly complete, but will require a lot of work. They’re in a garage in Vallejo, California and available here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,500.

Conceptual and functional objectives of the Beetle were conceived by German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, who wanted a cheap, simple car to be mass-produced for his country’s new road system. The result was a compact, rear-engine, air-cooled automobile that would see more than 21 million copies produced, making it the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single platform ever made. Although assembly started in the late 1930s, it wasn’t until well after World War II that the car saw significant production. Early 1950s Beetles saw an evolution in the shape of the rear window, from being a divided or split oval to a singular oval shape.

The seller here is offering a package deal of a 1956 Beetle (black in color) and a 1957 edition (white in color). Both of them would have come with a 1200cc engine good for about 36 hp (up for the 25 that the first 1100cc versions had). Both would also have a 4-speed manual, the only transmission choice. Besides the two cars, which are said to be mostly complete, also come with a couple of spare engines and 10 bumpers, front and rear.

1956 VW Beetle (black)

The main change to the Bug from 1955 to 1956 was the addition of twin chrome tailpipes. And cars sold in North America would gain taller bumper guards and tubular overrider bars. This VW is said to have been in a barn for some 35 years and actually runs. It has all its parts, original front fenders, and lights.

1957 VW Beetle (white)

There were no appreciable differences between the ’56 and ’57 models. Parts of this car look to have survived better than the other. We’re told everything’s there except the windshield. Since the seller is only offering these cars as a pair, would you try to restore both of them or make one good car from the pair?