1963 Volkswagen Beetle with Factory Fabric Sunroof
Volkswagen’s sales surged with the introduction of the 1963 Deluxe model, driven, no doubt, by its $1565 MSRP (and for another $100 one could buy the sunroof model). How far we’ve come in valuing these German “people’s cars”: today Hagerty values a #1 Concours ’63 VW at $76,100!
Ours—even with the optional sunroof and a number of upgrades—is priced somewhat less . . . $17,900!
And what are those upgrades to a car that looks almost showroom fresh::
Nice from Top to Bottom
The quality of the Dark Gray respray almost makes you think you’re in the showroom at the VW dealership back in 1963. And with a factory sunroof, this VW model was second only to the convertible in terms of price.
The chrome and stainless trim are in excellent condition.
The underside of this is Beetle appears clean (see pictures) with just some surface rust visible.
The interior is clean and fresh-looking.
The sunroof top is in nice condition and, when open, provides a panoramic view not achieved by the small metal sunroofs that followed.
The front ride height can be readily adjusted with a hand tool to change the stance of the car.
The original engine has been replaced by a rebuilt ‘70’s era unit that provides a lot more power than the 1200cc motor that the car first came with.
The car’s 4-speed manual transmission works smoothly. It has a Gene Berg short-throw shifter that prevents accidental shifts into reverse and reduces the throw of the shifter by 40%, making cruising around town much more pleasant.
The brakes on the VW have been modernized by their conversion to disc brakes on the front.
An Outstanding Example of the final year of VW’s original Sunroof Beetles
There is one word that can best describe this 1963 Beetle: Neat! Great paint, excellent upholstery, nice sunroof all of which make this classic Volkswagen a fun car to drive as well as a sound investment. And with Summer right around the corner, what could be more fun than opening the top and taking a spin in the countryside?
What can’t be quantified is the feeling one gets when sitting behind the wheel of this unique car that many of us owned and all who did, wish we still owned!
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