1966 Volkswagen Beetle in Newport Beach, California

Vehicle to be offered for sale June 2-4th, 2017 at Russo and Steele\'s 5th Annual Newport Beach California Auction. Please contact us for more information. \r\n\r\nDesigned by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche during the 1930s and officially known as the Type 1 Sedan, Volkswagen\'s iconic Beetle evolved from Porsche\'s prewar KdF-Wagen and was constructed with few visible changes for next half-century. Much like Ford\'s Model T, the Beetle was truly an affordable People\'s Car. Mass production, worldwide exportation, and unmistakable design made the tiny VW Kfer Beetle an instant cultural icon. In many ways, the late 1950s and early 1960s were perhaps the company\'s greatest. Its conquest of the American market, trendsetting advertising by Doyle, Dane, Bernbach and worldwide distribution chain all contributed to the Beetle\'s massive popularity. It was also during this period that the Beetle gained widespread acceptance in the United States with a model that was much more practical than its predecessors. Motor Trend stated it was a ...a car that breaks sharply with tradition, and does so with undeniable competence.\r\n \r\nOffered from the third owner, this never-damaged 1966 sunroof Beetle is a wonderful find benefiting from complete restoration. It purchased it from the second owner who started the restoration, but was unable to finish it. When he bought it from the original owner, it was still in original paint and retained the original 1300 engine and transaxle, which it still has today. Every single piece of this Beetle has been plated, polished, painted, or powder-coated, and it looks, starts, runs, and drives like a new car as it came from the dealer. The Consignor has gone to great lengths to make it as correct as possible, using a multitude of NOS parts from Germany. Among them are the windshield wiper motor, muffler, proper Hella turn signal and headlight lenses, plastic sunroof cable guides, trunk and decklid emblems, front shock absorber dust covers, front ball joints and tie-rod ends, horn grilles, vent-window latches, steering box, and shock absorbers.\r\n \r\nThe following parts were powder coated for outstanding durability, including the floor pan, the entire front and rear suspension, pedal assembly, bumper brackets, headlight buckets, gas tank, seat frames and rear-seat support bar, steering column, shifter and emergency brake handle, plus engine tin, battery cover, and brake backing plates. Other highlights include fully zinc-plated hardware, German square-weave wool carpeting, a new wiring harness, a restored speedometer, correct stainless windshield wipers, German running boards, a correct restored glove box, a restored original Sapphire 1 radio, and original keys fitting the ignition and doors. Beautifully finished in glass-smooth Glasurit L360 Sea Blue paint over an all-new original-style interior, this exceptionally restored Beetle is powered by the fully rebuilt original 1300 engine and transaxle, retains a 6-volt electrical system, and rides on a set of correct Black and Cloud White wheels mounting period style US Royal whitewall tires. Finishing off this outstanding classic VW are a restored original Ely Volkswagen dealer plate frame and California black license plates with month and year stickers in place. An exceptional nut-and-bolt restoration using primarily German parts and components, powered by the rebuilt 1300 engine and transaxle, this 1966 Volkswagen \'sunroof\' Beetle is a thrilling find at auction.