There is no car in the world that holds more records that the famous Volkswagen Beetle. Produced from 1938 to 2003, it biggest record is for the longest production run of any car ever made. In that time over 21 million were built in factories all over the world. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche as “The People’s Car” its rear lay out was a marvel of simplicity. It didn’t hurt that the Beetle was also one of the toughest cars ever built and could virtually last forever with proper maintenance. Improvements were steady with the Beetle and by the 1960s it had reached a comfortable and civilized level of refinement, but other imports from Japan were beginning to make in-roads in the global market. Despite the pressure, the Beetle’s fine reputation carried it on for another four decades.
Offered here is a beautifully finished example of this iconic car in the way of a 1966 Beetle finished in Java Green with an optional sunroof. This Beetle has undergone some restoration work, but is also retains a good degree of preservation and originality. As the story goes, its first owner registered the car, but all other subsequent owners did not and merely displayed it. With just 30,000 miles since new this Beetle has never seen any rust and still retains its original undercoating. This Beetle has been maintained by a German auto specialist and its 1.3 liter engine is original to the car and runs like new. All weather stripping is new and this Beetle was a West Coast car for most of its life. All chrome carries a brilliant shine and the ivory interior looks just as a Beetle of this vintage should. Most interesting is the crest mounted on the steering column that displays the fox on the castle. This was designed by the German state-controlled leisure organization and its translation means "Strength through Joy." With its reliable mechanics and great looks, this Beetle can certainly provide all of this and more.
When the very last Beetle came off of the Mexican assembly line in 2003 it was a celebrated event. Indeed, a Mariachi band serenaded the occasion and it was then shipped off to the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. This Beetle from 1966 with its dedication to authenticity is a fine representative of the Beetle heritage, but it’s also a car that begs to be driven on a fine summer day.
