1956 Volkswagen Beetle - completely restored - Stunning!

1956 Volkswagen Beetle - Classic export deluxe - US specifications

Completely restored, ground up, 1956 VW oval window in original coral color

Imron paint, TMI interior, Coker white wall tires, West Coast Metric bumpers, 12 volt.

The restoration work on this car was a first-class job all around. They used the very best of everything including the heavier German-made floor components. I found no rust repair anywhere on the body and you can see it in its stripped state in one of the photos above. The original factory "Korelenrot" (coral) color is very unusual and quite attention-grabbing, actually more orange than red. All the floors were replaced and the car was painted with Imron single stage with hardener resulting in a wonderful finish. All original sheet metal - even the hood - and only one fender was replaced with an original fender from a Beetle of the same era. All five correct, smoothie wheels were painted the correct VW colors of brown and cream with three new high-quality German wheel covers and one original one on the ground. Fresh, new TMI interior and cloth headlining along with West Coast Metric bumpers were used as well as five matched Coker wide-whitewall tires.

You'd be hard pressed to find one this nice, or build one for this kind of money.

The engine is a 1968 1500 single port (the best they made) with the later fresh air heater engine tin to facilitate better heating (note: heater cables need to be hooked up). It looks very much like an original 1200 cc engine. It was built with hardened valve seats, case-savers and 1600 jugs. The transmission is original to the car with non-synchro first gear. I can provide further information on the mechanics on request, but suffice it to say the car runs as sweet and strong as my fuel injected 1976 Beetle (best road VW I've ever owned!). The built 1500 gives it great acceleration and highway speed. I bought it last July and have put about 600 miles on it, both in-town and some highway; it runs and handles like a dream.

Virtually everything on the car is new: cip1 Rometsch steering wheel (not shown), Coker tires, brakes, suspension, bumpers, windshield, all rubber seals, rear view mirrors, era-correct seat belts, locking exterior door handles, trunk liners, high-quality door sill plates, etc. Everything works: lights, wipers, horn, turn signals and all electrics which are 12 volt.

As for modern technology, well, you can play music from you cellphone or I-pad through the original Blaupunkt-Becker radio with its Sony speaker. I have also added a third brake light license plate frame for additional safety.

As I evaluated the car today, there are only a couple of little niggling things about it: The driver's (left) vent window opens and latches like it should, but will partially close from the wind at speed. This is an easy fix if you want to remove the door panel and tighten the nut (I didn't). The only cosmetic distractions are two pieces of the original Sekurit glass have some scratches and one quarter panel trim piece has a little kink. I do have a repro rear oval window and rubber seal that I will throw in. And a note for the purist: although the TMI interior is in the correct colors, the seats should have contrasting piping and the door panels should not have pleats. A minor annoyance to be sure. All in all, there are no chips or dings in the paint or bodywork, the chrome is great all around, the doors shut solidly. The car starts immediately even after sitting for a month. It runs out true, straight and smooth.

I am not a dealer, but a long-time VW enthusiast. At the moment I have one too many vintage Beetles. I have two others that I am also considering selling. That being said, however, I would consider a partial Beetle trade-in (1958-63 or '67 models only) in similar or close to it condition as I sort out my collecting interests and decide what to keep. On that note, nothing shown in the first photo is for sale except the car - no signs, globes or automobilia. Please don't ask.

Any questions? Call me at 505 828 2165. Don't be shy. Make a reasonable offer, you never know!

The fineprint: Clear New Mexico title and registration in my name. License plates remain with me. Sold where is, as is, FOB Albuquerque NM, no warranty express or implied. A $500 deposit by Pay Pal must be made within 24 hours of sale; full payment due by cashier's check or bank transfer within 7 days. Title and bill of sale will be forwarded upon receipt of full payment. Car will be held without charge and insured for 30 days. $5 per day storage fee thereafter and you will be responsible for your own insurance at that point.

Advertised elsewhere, subject to prior sale.

• Make: Volkswagen
• Model: Beetle - Classic
• Type: Sedan
• Trim: export deluxe - US specifications
• Year: 1956
• Mileage: 42000
• VIN: 1-1147537
• Color: Orange
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Tan
• Options: Becker AM radio - Bluetooth converted
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!