Vehicle Description
2009 Volkswagen Beetle Pickup
At the 1994 North American International Auto Show, Volkswagen
unveiled the Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a
resemblance to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Designed by J Mays
and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio, the
concept car was based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo. A red
cabriolet concept was featured at the Geneva Motor Show, also in
1994. The New Beetle carries many design similarities with the
original VW Beetle: separate fenders, vestigial running boards,
sloping headlamps, and large round taillights, as well as a high
rounded roofline. It was assembled in VW's Puebla factory in
Mexico.
We truly never know what's going to come through the doors of our
Hallowed Halls next, and this bug is a prime example. For
consignment, something totally different, a 2009 Volkswagen Beetle
with a pickup truck conversion performed. Our consignor saw one
like it in an Ocean City parade and had to have one. The kit was
purchased and the rest, as they say, is history. Nice beige paint,
all the classic bug lines but with a hauler twist, a clean leather
interior, and all the safety systems that were lacking in the
original work together to form this retro styled customized piece
of automotive artwork.
Exterior
A smoothed and updated design was penned around the original Beetle
and many of the styling cues have been retained. Bathed entirely in
Harvest Moon Beige with well minded gaps this VW retains the
factory design on the front 2/3rds. A neoprene bumper on the front
forms an aero design to the car and fits nicely into the modern era
of vehicles. Large round headlights are sloped back and fit
smoothly into the front fascia and fenders. Small rocker trimmings
flare out and remind us of the running boards of yore. This small
flare connects the separate front and integrated rear fenders
giving more retro styling to the side view. Now taking up space
where the trunk and rear seat passengers used to reside is a small
step side bed with smooth aluminum sheet lining for the sides and
fold down tailgate, and ribbed aluminum makes up the flooring.
Bringing up the rear are retro throwback style small taillights and
molded in roll pan below. Multi-spoke 16" wheels grace the 4
corners and are wrapped in newer blackwall rubber with good tread.
Cool dude...
Interior
Sculpted door panels in a mix of beige leather topped with Harvest
Moon Beige plastic greet us when first swinging the doors open.
These panels retain their ergonomic design with tight material and
black switches are on for the power windows, locks, truck and fuel
door releases. More cream leather for the stylish front buckets
which show only the slightest signs of wear on their smooth
bolsters. A cream plastic console races toward the dash and houses
the shifter and requisite cupholders. A simple but effective dash
shows in black and cream with a round gauge in front of the driver
showing a myriad of gauges for the driver to monitor. We see a
bulbous outcropping of the dash holds the AM/FM/CD player,
heater/AC slides and buttons and further down the heated seat
buttons as well as the ESP (electronic stability) controller. Clean
tan carpeting floods the floors and while we note the holder, we
see no signs of the vase and daisys that fit into the dash. Peace
and love man...
Drivetrain
Lifting the hood, the engine is up front these days folks, we see a
2.5 Liter fuel injected gasoline inline 5-cylinder making 150hp.
This engine is fairly well exposed for the world to see and shows
with a light coating of dust. Sending power to the 3.65 geared axle
is a 6-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission that can be left in
drive or shifted manually through the gears.
Undercarriage
A clean and original underside is seen up on the lift with only
bits of road dirt and minor patina. A strong steel unibody is seen
as well as gray rust-free floor pans. Independent Macpherson
suspension is on front and for the rear we see independent coil
springs. Power steering is noted as well as 4-wheel power disc
brakes. The original single exhaust system is seen and remains rust
free.
Drive-Ability
Slipping into the comfortable leather buckets I had come to realize
that I wasn't in just any Beetle. I was in a new one and a pickup
truck version at that. A twist of the key and the engine came to
life and settled into an almost inaudible purr. Out on the patented
Classic Auto Mall Test Track this bug exhibited good acceleration,
adequate handling and surprisingly good braking. All functions were
operational at the time of our drive and while my partner in crime,
crack decoder and all-around good guy wanted to ride in the bed,
our insurance regulations and common sense did not allow it. Fun
Fun Fun
Long gone is the image of utilitarian simplicity that the Beetle is
known for and now it is replaced with not only a new take on a
timeless design, but some custom thrown in for good measure. A
groovy custom bed that integrates well with the smooth lines and a
plush leather interior it's easy to fall in love with the New
Beetle. Visit our Hallowed Halls and get your retro on with this
wild ride and dig the ability to haul some goods on your way to the
show...Funky!
VIN DECODE
3VWRG31C39M505325
3-Mexico
V-Volkswagen
W-Passenger Car
R-New Beetle W/ Package 1
G-2.5 Liter I5 150hp
3-Manual Belts, Front & Side Airbags
1C-New Beetle
3-Check Digit
9-2009
M-Puebla, Mexico Assy Plant
505325-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
