The Volkswagen Type 1 (aka Beetle or Bug) is one of the most-produced cars in history. From the post-World War II era into the early 21st Century, some 23 million of them were built. The automobile is credited with developing the small car movement in the U.S. This solid example from 1959 is from a time when there was little competition in America for sub-compact automobiles – but that would begin to explode in the 1960s and 1970s.
From what we see and what the seller tells us, this ’59 Beetle looks to be somewhat original with some restoration previously done. It’s only had three owners, with the keys changing hands the last time in 2008. It’s available in Southern California, though the seller isn’t more specific. The automobile is offered for sale simply because it isn’t used enough and needs a more active owner.
If you look closely, you’ll find there is a service decal in the door jamb, which reflects the original paint that is also under the hood and elsewhere in the interior of the Bug (today everything is plastic and not metal). These Beetles had a 6-volt electrical system and that’s still in play here. The air-cooled engine may be as built if not original at 50,000 miles. The exhaust system is also from 1959.
If you were to take this Beetle home, you wouldn’t be buying a concourse restoration. It’s not perfect but presents very well and may need nothing more than some new love. This vehicle is available here on OldBug.com and the seller is looking to get $19,500 for the little semi-survivor.
You know,,,there’s something refreshing about seeing a Bug again. Not sure why, perhaps it’s visually stable ground in a sea of uncertainty. Million dollar this, 3 million dollar that, all out of reach for most, a Bug slaps you back to reality, sort of. Okay, the price here is also unacceptable, but let’s forget that for a while, and focus on the car itself. My old man HATED them, I loved them( so much for the like father, like son crap) Someone buying this today for 5 figures will miss out on the very mission of a VW Bug. Cheap wheels, repair can be done by 3rd graders, and for once, gas wasn’t the primary concern. Perfect for struggling students or burnouts on a limited income, not for $20grand, however. $50 for a car? Unheard of, gramps. It’s okay, most here have stories of VWs that the next person couldn’t possibly match, and by golly, that makes us wealthy soles!
Souls,,,you knew what I meant.
I had a 1960 in mid ’70’s. I loved it except for trying to power my huge 8-track stereo with a convertor because it was 6volt! I could also push it myself to start it when the battery was dead. I’d just jump in and jamb it into second and drive off!
I had a ’62 that I put an 8 track into. I also installed a 12V battery in the trunk to power the 8 track. Left the car as a 6V
I did that too with my ’58 Volvo. By the end of the night, Led Zepplin sounded like folk music.
My first car was a 1959 Beetle…….just like this one. Same color, same 36hp engine, same non-synchro trans, same condition. I paid $150 for it. Times were different back then.
You can say that again!
My first car was a 1959 Beetle. Very dependable, easy to work on and never let me down. Same color, same engine, same trans., same condition. I paid $150 for it. Times were different back then.
My memory – the early beetles had a small rear window split into two? A friend had an early one way back when we were young …..
There’s a hefty price on nostalgia these days. Fifty years ago these were reliable and cheap throw away cars. Trouble was people just kept repairing and driving them. They were the antithesis of everything else on the road. Even when competition appeared it was far more sophisticated than the lowly Beetle.
I was working in Mendocino County, N CA, and owned a 59 bug back in 1973, think it cost me $300, or was it a trade for a 53 Mercury, can’t remember. It was not as nice as this one, had a cotton “starry sky” headliner replaced by the previous owner. Hippy vehicle, you know. I rebuilt the motor in the dry summer months outside on a 2X10 resting on blocks under an oak tree. I used all JC Whitney parts, cylinders, pistons, bearings, centrifugal advance distributor, HD oil cooler, headers. Adjust the valves and time by ear listening for the spark, if quiet enough. This one brings back memories.
Times have definitely changed with the air cooled bugs. Prices are up a lot and they seem to hold value pretty well. I go to a lot of car shows and when it’s VW night the turnout is crazy. 200 plus sometimes. I have a 52 split window bug myself. My wife and I enjoy taking it to shows and cruises. We get so many compliments on it it’s pretty fun. The price on this 59 seems pretty inline with current prices. Looks very clean too.
Dad had a ’57 way back in the early ’60’s. I had a ’74 back in the early to mid ’80s. Wish I still had mine. Paid $2400 for it in 1980. Both were awesome little cars! I just cannot fathom paying as much as folks are asking these days for something almost as simple as my riding mower! Hopefully someday, I’ll own another one…(maybe! Come on, Lotto numbers!)
My first car was this same year in 1970. I payed $500.00 for mine at that time,which was reasonable. It was forest green with black interior. I shoehorned a gas heater in it so it could be driven here in Alberta where I live. Winters are VERY cold, at times dropping to -40. It always started as it had an oil pan block heater and I wired in a battery tender, just because.
I loved that little car.
After driving it for three years I sold it for the same price I bought it for to a friend.
Ahhh, the memories!
I wish I still had that little car
Cardinal rule, never buy a vehicle from a business with that vehicles name in it. Nobody mentioned what was the most signature feature of this car, ( leaning forward), the reserve gas valve. You can see it just above the gas pedal, and provided some tense moments. I believe the reserve was like .8 gallons, enough for 25 miles. The down side was if you got gas and forgot to return the lever, next time not so lucky. In traffic, when she coughed, it took some fancy footwork. While aftermarket gas gauges were available, I think it wasn’t until 1962 VW offered them.
Before I started my trucking shenanigans, I dabbled in several jobs, and one was VW mechanic. Late 70s, lasted 2 days. The owner was a maniac, and clearly had more business than he could handle. Bugs were everywhere and his lot had at least a dozen waiting on repairs. Wasn’t for me.
My memory of Beetles is a little rusty! But..
I thought that those indicator lights on the front mudguards didn’t appear until the sixties 1962?), the same year as fuel guage.
The tail lights don’t appear to have turn indicator light provision.
1958 began having the turn lights on top of the fender. Before that they were low on the outside front of each fender. Early European models had cool semaphore flags that popped out of the B pillars when actuated. They even make kits to install them in newer Beetles.
The pre 1962 Beetles had the fuel valve on the front firewall. Up was main tank,down was reserve and halfway was shut off. I was on reserve and when I filled up I put it on shut off by mistake. The engine died and had to get towed home.Took a while to figure out what happened. Lesson learned!
Thanks Russell. My Beetle was a 1967 “Custom” (el Cheepo) 1300. To reduce the price, VW did away with most chrome as well as the fuel gauge and gave us a fuel tank valve, the same as the one that you had.
Where the fuel gauge would have been I added two x 2 inch gauges, one for oil pressure and one for amps.
I liked the fuel valve, Gary. There was no guessing how much gas was in the tank. I got so I could recognize when I needed to go to reserve on the fly…….not miss a beat. I also liked the roller type gas pedal over the flat type.
One of my two Beetles had a gas heater in the glove box. I was scared when using it because of stories I had heard about it catching fire. It used a lot of gas if I remember correctly. It was a breeze to drive in snow, going up a steep road with about 6 inches of snow from a dead stop. Drawback was when it sat on deeper snow. It floated and going nowhere. Overall, It was a great car and I would love another one.
I think people would like to be to buy a modern equivalent with quality, reliability, economy, simplicity, character and fun for under $20K.