Spotted this immaculate Beetle earlier today. I'm guessing c. 1960?
Vehicle Sighting - Ancient Minty VW Beetle
- Thread starter Number_35
- Start date
Effengruven!
Never been a fan of VWs, but I love the look of this one
Oval Windows are 1953-1957. My guess is 56-57. Looks really nice!
Love small window bugs.
Likely a 1955 because of the front turn signals on the sides of the front fenders (one year only). However, the use of these fenders have been popular with restorers and customizers, so much so that they make aftermarket fiberglass reproductions of them, so it could be a 56 or 57 with 55-style front fenders. 1954s had semaphore turn signals.
Last edited:
That’s cool… can’t remember 1200cc 36HP….. ?
Yes
Steering wheel and shifter look like those installed for 1956 models. And it appears to have two tailpipes, which would have been introduced for 1956.
My first VW was a 1955 like that with the little 36HP 1200 motor. Had Koni shocks and headers and 3/4 race cam and an adjustable main jet carb and an oversize venturi in the carb. Ran great and would really handle.
Love the look, but I will never own one again. Even in brand new, pristine condition they are death traps. Slow to accelerate, horrible brakes, steering geometry actually pitches the car to the outside of the turn, no heat...could go on and on. Yes, they are good in winter with a flat bottom and weight over the drive wheels, and they are super simple to work on...I carried the long block to the basement by myself to rebuild it in high school.
I learned to drive a stick on my buddy's '63.
Not really, bc it was just too easy
Not really, bc it was just too easy
I drove one like that in the 70's from Delaware to Oxen Hill MD. When we hit the DC beltway, I kept the skinny pedal to the floor the whole time. It ran about 80 mph if I recall.
Around 25 years ago I had a 1960s book, from back when VW dominated the import market in U.S., extolling the virtues of the Beetle, the Karman Ghia, and the bus. It was published perhaps a decade before the Rabbit appeared here.
Among other things, it emphasized the Beetle's excellent safety record. Perhaps in the day it was OK compared to other cars, I don't know ...
But I have heard that the gas-fired heater did not work well here.
