1964 Volkswagen Beetle (23 mile Time capsule)
Vin: 6437532
Engine Number: 8702841
Mileage: 00023
1964 Volkswagen Beetle put away and never used (located in Oregon). In 1964 Rudy Zvarich was driving a 1957 VW Beetle and not excited about the changes to the new 1965 model. He wanted a flat windshield and the 1964 front end geometry, so he bought a 1964 back-up car. Bringing along his own battery as to not activate the original dry charge system. He never licensed the car and it sat undisturbed from 1964 to 2016, having covered only 23 miles.
In 2014 at the age of 87 Rudy passed away and the time capsule 1964 Beetle was removed from its resting place. The windshield wipers and hubcaps have never been attached to the car, (still in their original boxes from the dealership). Its black with “Leatherette Red” interior looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. The dealer window sticker is still where it was placed in 1964. Rudy was a meticulous owner who loved his Beetle so much, he wanted a spare. As time proved, Rudy never had a need to put his backup Beetle into service. Pride of ownership was enough to make him happy.
There are some amazing original VW Beetles on display around the world. The Porsche museum (Stuttgart), Volkswagen museum (Wolfsburg), and famous Prototype museum (Hamburg) each having impressive collections, but out of the 948,370 Beetles made in 1964 could this be the most original one left on the planet? These cars were inexpensive back in the day and they got used. We may never see another one like it. Rudy’s Beetle is truly a snapshot in time.
Detailed photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20823381@N08/albums/72157678643855293
