When a manufacturer hits upon a winning formula with one of its models, it is common to stick with that formula for an extended period. Volkswagen subscribed to that theory with the Beetle. It remained in production for an incredible sixty-five years with little more than evolutionary changes. Once considered affordable commuter options that buyers could own for a pittance, they have become one of the “must-have” cars in the current classic world. Our feature car was part of the same family for fifty years and has recently emerged after twenty-five years in hibernation. It presents extremely well and is ready for a spot of classic motoring with a new owner behind the wheel. The Beetle is listed here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Denver, Colorado. You could drive off into the sunset by handing the seller $24,500.

The seller indicates that until recently, this Beetle had been a member of the same family for fifty years. Its owners treated it to some restoration work about twenty-five years ago but almost immediately placed it into storage. It recently emerged, and its overall condition suggests the storage environment must have been virtually ideal. The first point to note is that it has remained rust-free, which is always a consideration with any classic purchase. Potential buyers can be confident that the grinder and welder can stay in the cupboard when they take this VW home. The paint color is a mystery because it doesn’t appear on any of the period Volkswagen Color Charts I hold. It may be from a later model year, but I’m unwilling to criticize the car on that point. When the seller received this classic, they repainted the fenders due to scratches inflicted when it was in storage. They performed no other work beyond the usual washing and polishing. The car presents well, and I would classify its condition as an excellent driver-grade vehicle. There are no major panel or paint flaws or defects, although the seller notes that both doors have older filler. It is hard to spot and shows no signs of deterioration. The panel gaps are as tight and consistent as we would typically expect from Volkswagen, while the chrome and glass present nicely. The Beetle rolls on a set of whitewall tires which lift the presentation to a higher level.

Once the buyer hands over the cash for this VW, they won’t need to spend a dime on its interior. It received a refresh as part of the restoration and has done little work since. The vinyl upholstered surfaces look perfect, with no wear or other problems. The painted surfaces are as impressive as the exterior, while the story is the same with the carpet. There are no aftermarket additions, and even the standard two-spoke wheel and matching shifter knob are intact. If the exterior condition is capable of receiving positive comments at a Cars & Coffee, the interior will increase that interest.

The drivetrain design of the original Beetle was revolutionary and incredibly clever. Volkswagen loved it so much that they left it essentially untouched throughout the entire production run. It increased the engine capacity and power occasionally and twiddled with the suspension and brakes but decided there was little point in reinventing the wheel. By designing the car as a rear-engined model, they achieved a low nose and one of the most aerodynamically efficient bodies seen on a production car to that point. Constructing the engine primarily of aluminum reduced weight over the car’s rear and allowed for efficient cooling. By opting for air rather than water to cool the engine, they reduced vehicle weight, which helped performance in a vehicle with modest power output. This Beetle features its numbers-matching 1,192cc flat-four engine that produces 36hp. The power finds its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle, and while it may not be lightning-fast, that wasn’t the aim of the exercise with the Beetle. The design objective was for the company to produce a light and efficient family car that could cruise happily for at least four continuous hours on the German autobahn at a steady 60mph. The designers met that goal, and this Beetle should still be capable of repeating that performance. The seller indicates the previous owner rebuilt the engine before placing it in storage, and they have returned the car to a roadworthy state. All the buyer needs to do is climb aboard and turn the key because this classic drives like a dream and is ready to go.

Someone once said that when you’re on a good thing, you should stick to it. Volkswagen subscribed to that theory with the Beetle. If you placed this car beside one of the final ones to roll off the line in 2003, you would have no trouble picking the differences between the two. However, identifying the changes year-by-year is significantly more difficult because the company saw little point in interfering with a winning formula. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, values plummeted as Asian, and other European manufacturers brought more modern and refined models to the market. The worm has turned, and it is common to see original and unmolested examples sell for $30,000. If the car is pristine, that figure can top $40,000. The seller wants considerably less for this 1956 Beetle, making it a German classic worth a closer look.