- Seller: David B (Contact)
- Location: Cos Cob, Connecticut
- Mileage: 353 Shown
- Chassis #: 119007872
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1500 Flat-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
The Volkswagen Beetle is a true icon that puts smiles on faces wherever it goes, and this 1969 example looks like the kind of cheerful driver that helped make the model famous. Finished in cream over a black interior, this Beetle has reportedly been recently sorted, presents well inside and out, and is said to start, run, and drive nicely. Located in Cos Cob, Connecticut, it is offered as a Barn Finds Classified with an asking price of $15,500.
The car was previously owned for more than 20 years before passing to the current owner, who was reportedly a close friend of the former caretaker. When acquired, the Beetle was running but needed attention, so it was taken to Freccia Bros Garage in Greenwich, Connecticut, where it was sorted for regular use.
Power comes from a 1500cc flat-4 engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller states that the engine fires right up, does not smoke at startup, does not burn oil, and that the clutch operates as it should. The car retains its traditional Volkswagen driving character with light steering and four-wheel non-power drum brakes, which the seller notes stop the lightweight Beetle as intended.
The exterior was repainted in cream under previous ownership, though the seller notes that only the exterior panels were painted. The finish is described as very good overall, with a few small chips shown in the photos. The car is not being represented as concours-quality, but it presents as a clean, attractive driver that should draw attention at local cruise nights and casual shows.
Inside, the cabin has benefited from recent attention. The front and rear seats have been newly covered, the door panels are in good condition, the carpets look good, and the vinyl headliner is described as being in very good condition. The dash has a couple of small repaired cracks, and the interior panels remain clean despite not being repainted during the exterior refinish.
The seller notes that everything works, including the heater fan, wipers, turn signals, lights, horn, speedometer, and fuel gauge. The front trunk area is carpeted, though the seller notes the carpeting is slightly loose, while the rear engine compartment is described as clean and tidy rather than show-detailed.
The underside looks to be in clean condition and finished in flat black, with two areas of rust repair noted. Importantly, the seller states that the car has no rot. The odometer shows 353 miles, but the actual mileage is unknown.
For someone looking for a simple, engaging classic that is easy to enjoy, this 1969 Volkswagen Beetle seems to offer plenty of charm. It is clean without being too nice to drive, sorted without being over-restored, and still delivers the direct, mechanical driving experience that made Beetles beloved around the world. Would driving this Bug put a smile on your face?
If the was closer to me i would probably buy it after I went seen it. Fairly priced and a good car to get into the car hobby without much investment, you can really enjoy this car for several years and can get you money back if not make a little back as long as you keep it up.
4am,,,yep, another of Howards stories. I had a good friend named Bill after HS, ’73 maybe, he was a Vietnam Vet in the motor pool, and saw little “action”. It was before I met him, and when I did, he had a ’69 Bug just like this. Although, so did 367,307 others in ’69. I had my MGB, my other friend had the 2002, and try as he might, poor Bill was always left behind in the Bug. Regardless, we had a blast with that car. Late one fateful night, due to several factors we not need to go into here, took a turn too fast, and rolled it 2 3/4 times, coming to rest on the drivers side. He was alone, luckily, and kicked the front window out, or it popped out, in fact, I believe ALL the windows popped out, I think designed to do so, and crawled out. To think, go through Vietnam, and almost get killed at home.
I’ve pretty much dispensed the idea of a Bug. This is a nice one, ’69 was probably the most advanced of the older style, but my situation just doesn’t warrant it, and besides, I’m tired of driving anyway. I kvech when I go to Walmart once a week. I think also, if someone doesn’t know how to drive a stick, you couldn’t get a better car to learn on. You won’t ruin it, and I imagine many, if not all learned a stick on a VW. Just be ready with the parking brake for the dreaded “rollback”.Marriages were consummated teaching the girlfriend how to drive one. Conversely, I bet relationships were lost because of that. The floor shift for today is more understandable than a column shift, trust me. Great find. Everybody has a Bug story, or should.
Interesting you should mention the rollover your friend went through. I was just thinking yesterday about how I nearly did the same thing outside of Lawrence KS at Lone Star Lake in mine. I’ve mentioned before on here that I put chrome wheels on it and reverse rims with wide tires on the back so as to hopefully avoid that potential problem because I saw the potential when I bought it, but going to fast around one of the tight turns did lift the left rear up almost to the point of rolling over before I got it settled back down. Needless to say it scared the crap out of me so that was the end of fast corners in that car and shortly after I got back to Denver I sold it. This one is a beauty though for sure.. and they are fun to drive but they were never intended to be hot rods. Having said that however if I was in the market for another one this would be getting checked out for sure.. it’s probably the best looking VW bug I’ve seen yet.
Way back in the mid 60’s, my dad was heading home from work .. and after a long day, wanted to get home sooner than later … He was driving an earlier Beetle .. he came around the corner just up and across the street from home and tumbled it onto a friends front yard. He called me up to tell me. We were able to look out our front window and see the car on it’s lid just up the street. That’s my Bug story.
I’m also representing this great specimen for the owner.
I have size 12 shoes and this car definitely needs anticipatory driving skills. Having to extricate my foot from behind the brake pedal to get it ON the brake pedal .. LOL
It does run and drive just like a 69 Beetle should. Lots of fun.
You know, they say it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow…
Any questions, to see a few hundred more photos and the videos, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Talk soon,
I had three bugs. Bought a new one in 1970. Put headers, empi star sprint wheels on it and an Indy shifter. Done away with pushing down on the lever for reverse. Bought it orange and had it painted purple. They were fun cars. Miss that car to this day mind you traded it on a new 1973 RS z28 Camaro with a four speed.
John
On the 69 Volkswagen in Connecticut, what’s up with the oil leak where I believe the valve covers are and maybe the rear crankshaft seal
It’s minor. When Freccia Bros looked at it they felt that while certainly fixable, the owner wasn’t looking to spend on that if it wasn’t considered serious. It just wants to be British. LOL
Pushrod tubes. Corvair had the same issues.
Yes, though in my opinion a more realistic price would be in the 10k range.
Very nice Beetle, ready to take on tasks as a daily driver. Loved my ‘71 super beetle way back when, and drove the wheels off it!
Everbodys’ got a Beetle story. I’m having stomach cramps over all the Zeroes in the price tag. In summary; Bot my cherry ’68 in July ’70 for $900 (under extreme protest; “smart thing to do” nobody should have to be that SMART at 18) put 7k miles on it and got $200 trading it in on a ’69 Z/28 on sale for $1,888…(Got $950 for the Z on a new ’73 Pinto StaWag… wife got the Pinto in ’76, which just makes it all sound ok? Yeah, right…. Be safe good people.