Vehicle Description
We're going to go out on a limb here and say that this is probably
the nicest, fully-restored VW Beetle you've ever seen. After
undergoing a five-year long, pan-off restoration where not a single
detail was overlooked on the build of this 1960, we're confident
making grandiose statements like that. We've had the pleasure of
selling hundreds of these 'der K�fers' throughout the years, and
none have been as comprehensively restored and darn near perfectly
executed like this one. If you wan the best-of-the-best, here it
is.
1960 is largely considered to be the final year of the 'classic' VW
Beetles, and finding one that's still alive, let alone completely
restored like this beauty, is quite the rare feat. Thanks to a
revolutionary marketing campaign, sales of the Beetle took off into
the stratosphere after 1960, reaching production numbers north off
700K for the first time in its history, eventually ballooning over
a million just a couple years later. 1960 was a real line of
demarcation for the Bug, representing the final year before Madison
Avenue helped the car become a household a name, so in many ways
this is an incredibly important model year for historians.
Aesthetically, the Beetle didn't really change much at all after
1960, but the following year did usher in fully synchronized
transmissions, an automatic choke, pump-type windshield washers,
and an extra four horsepower for a grand total of 40bhp. For true,
old-school Beetle purists, this is the final 'original' Beetle.
Code L436 Indigo Blue is the original color, and it looks fantastic
on the trademark Beetle curves. The paint is miles deep with a
wonderful luster and shine, and despite our best efforts spent
crawling all over this Bug, we couldn't identify a single demerit
worth mentioning. As you may know, any dark color needs a
laser-straight body underneath in order to look good, otherwise
every little imperfection will show. And unfortunately, a lot of
folks don't think VWs are worth the investment, but that's
definitely not the case here. With a full-blown, pan-off
restoration that spanned the course of five years (concluding in
2011), it's obvious that the former owner spent a lot of time and
money getting the rounded bodywork as straight as possible, and
it's truly impeccable. It fits together extremely well (although
the stories of Beetles being able to float due to exceptional seals
in the doors are probably just myths), and the doors open and close
with just a light touch. There's a single line of trim running the
length of the bonnet and the body that dresses things up quite a
bit, and the rest of the chrome and brightwork is in excellent
shape overall as well. The folding, rag-top canvas roof is a Type 1
feature everyone loves, and yes, it too is in incredible shape,
showing no signs of being exposed to any weather outside of the
warm sun. In a sea of custom, lowered, chopped, shaved, and
modified Beetles, this 100% stock 'Tortoise Car' stands out in a
refreshing way.
Much like the exterior, the interior was impeccably restored
back-to-stock - finished in beautiful light gray and blue patterns
highlighted by the factory-style woven vinyl seat covers that will
probably outlast us all. Fresh two-tone door panels, a new set of
gray carpets, and a gorgeously painted dash make it feel young
again inside, and the stock white steering wheel is big enough to
make the manual steering feel light and direct, which is by design.
The simple single gauge ahead of the driver offers speed, a
built-in tachometer minding the revs, an odometer (which has
reportedly rolled over one time and represents 129,214 actual miles
according to the seller; and only 200 miles clocked since the
restoration), and fuel level, but precious little else, but vintage
VWs tend to be so reliable that keeping a constant eye on them
isn't really necessary. Like most Beetles from the era, options are
light, although you do get a working heater/defrost system, that
aforementioned canvas 'sunroof' top, wipers and horn, and a manual
choke and emergency brake that all work as they should. Although
it's been finished for over a decade now, this Beetle has really
only been shown and driven sparingly, so everything inside still
looks, feels, and even smell like new. The back seat has likely
never been used (and during the restoration a cut-off switch for
the battery was cleverly installed under the seat), while up front
the trunk has been properly finished in matching black rubber and
offers a full-sized spare tire and wheel assembly.
The 1200 cc flat-four (aka the 1192 CC) 'Typ 122' air-cooled engine
lives under the deck lid, fully rebuilt with only 200 miles on the
clock. There's a familiar air cleaner up top, a big generator
making the electricity, and a stock carburetor to make it go. OEM
heater tubes and ducting are intact, so this VW is happy in cooler
weather although it's still probably not suitable for Minnesota in
January. Underneath you'll find the best evidence of the pan-off
restoration, with sheetmetal and components clean enough to eat
off. No modifications, no questionable upgrades, just an insanely
clean and solid Beetle that works just like it did when it rolled
out of the factory in Wolfsburg. It does have an exhaust system
with dual outlets, which is probably the case with virtually every
Beetle in existence today, and it motors down the road with that
traditional VW whistling exhaust note that's so beloved. Factory
15-inch wheels with chrome hubcaps are the perfect end caps,
wrapped in 5.60-15 bias-ply whitewalls that look new.
'Clyde the Volks' has been featured in magazines, has won car shows
with over 250 contestants, and has a verifiable pedigree dating
back to the original airline pilot that owned it. Never have we
seen a Beetle this 'over-restored' and cared for. Call today!
