Vehicle Description
1998 Volkswagen Beetle Pickup
The Volkswagen New Beetle debuted in 1997 and almost immediately
was the subject of aftermarket customization and personalization.
Wings, stripes, flower shaped wheels, and even eyelashes began
appearing as owners attempted to up the fun on this capable
vehicle, the rounded body of which gave it instant personality.
For consignment, a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle pickup. That's right, we
said pickup. This fully customized Beetle is also a useful little
truck drawing from more vintage examples by adding faux patina. Our
consignor emphatically states that this is not a kit, rather a
purpose built custom Bug with a functional tailgate, sliding
window, and fold down rear panel to allow for lumber and other
oversized items to fit and the best part is that is comes to our
Hallowed Halls with a mere 57,016 titleverified actual miles on the
odometer.
Exterior
Tornado Red with black stripes on the hood starts off a relatively
normal looking front end but still resembles an emoji with that
smiling hood line and droopy eyelid pieces over the headlights that
complete the relaxed grin. A mesh style grille is flanked by fog
lights and the black surround wraps the front end for a low profile
fascia, and our first glimpse of faux rust appears on the plastic
bumper cover. As we pass the flat black painted roof, we note the
stripes continue onto the locking bed cover, free of rust, but the
body side panels, B-pillars, and rear bumper show some heavy faux
rust, as if this car was put away wet then exposed to sun. The
Nissan Juke tail lights are perfectly sculpted into the rear
fenders and the black rear valance houses a pair of exhaust tips.
The patriotic rear window has American flags flanking a 13 star
1776 emblem on a sliding window just under a third brake light.
16-inch black Motegi wheels complement the car and have a red
stripe and a VW center cap. More "rust" on the A-pillar and door
frame got our attention and we almost missed the vinyl side mirror
bras. Imperfections include numerous touched up chips, random
scratches in the red paint, paint drips and some scrapes on the
fascia lip.
Interior
Custom door panels combine red, black and gray and look great while
the bucket seats are original but have custom red inserts
surrounded by red stitched gray and black. Attention to detail and
personalization continues with the steering wheel which has an
embroidered red VW insignia and the gauge cluster has a red
stitched leather lining under a black cloth dash cover. A touch
screen is in the center connected to the AM/FM/CD radio with Apple
CarPlay, GPS, DVD, back up camera, and Nav. More red stitched
leather covers the T-shifter, parking brake handle, and armrest
housed in a molded gray plastic center console. Low pile black
carpet covers the floor looking great, and a solid black headliner
completes the cozy cabin. The bed is lined with gray flannel panels
and has a cargo net for smaller items. You might not get plywood
sheets in here, but with the pass through, you'll get some extra
room.
Drivetrain
A 2-liter DOHC inline 4 cylinder engine is under the hood and puts
out 114 horsepower. We've been informed that 02 sensors have
recently been replaced. It is fuel injected and tied to a 4-speed
automatic transmission keeping power at the front wheels and 4.53
gears. All four wheels are equipped with power disc brakes and our
consignor states they are new. Visually, the engine bay is very
clean.
Undercarriage
Surface rust here and there, (not the faux kind), with some pitting
on the control arms, but nothing invasive. Essentially clean and
dry otherwise. The single exhaust travels the length of the car
where it enters a large muffler and then exits via two tailpipes.
Suspension consists of MacPherson struts on the front and coil
springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
It's not unlike driving a standard New Beetle, other than the rear
window being right over your shoulder, pickup truck style! The car
runs just fine and has improved visibility due to the chop and the
new brakes work very well.
Beetles have always been fun to drive and this one is no
exception.Sure, it's got a small bed, but we don't think you'll be
hauling cinder blocks in its soft lined bed. But this car is an
instant show car. Want to watch people smile, park this at your
local car show and let the questions begin! This is definitely one
of a kind and not many show cars can say that! If a Volkswagen, a
Juke, and Ford F150 had a baby, this VeeDub would be the
offspring.
3VWBB61C0WM012652
3-Mexico
V-Volkswagen
W-Passenger Car
B-New Beetle GL
B-2.0 Liter 115hp I4
6-Manual Belts, Front & Side Airbags
1C-New Beetle
0-Check Digit
W-1998
M-Puebla, Mexico Assy Plant
012652-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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