1957 Volkswagen Beetle 

The word Volkswagen means "People's car" in German.  Its headquarters are in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony.  It was started in the 1930's, at the request of the country's leader, Adolf Hitler, to produce a car designed by Ferdinand Porsche.

For consignment, a car ordered by Hitler for the masses, and designed by Ferdinand Porsche, wrapped in deep black, dog dish caps, and bumpers in chrome with vertical pushers, and some fender plated chromed protectors aft for the front and fore for the rear.  It does not get any better folks, right out of 1957, and the capability to perform a bit of “schnell”.

Exterior
Ich bin ein Berliner, but in reality, it was Wolfsburg where this little droplet of automotive history was born.  All bathed in black it has the classic Dub look with the oval rear glass, W embossed steel engine compartment lid and small tail lights.  A simple design that changed little over time, this version sports a front fender that is exactly like the rear fender, chromed rockers and small running boards.  Also not seen in today's bugs is the beltline chrome trim spear adding a little bit of class, not that it needs it.  A nice retro look.

Interior
A swing of the simple door, and we see oxblood original factory door panels and a nifty scrunched pouch with exterior matching metal around the edge.  The knobs are like new.  The seats are low back buckets showing off in oxblood vinyl and some nifty white piping on their edges.  A back bench is in and looks like new.  An original slightly aged and yellowed steering wheel with no cracks, and it matches the long shift lever and knob.  The dash is exterior matching black and is peppered with simple chrome and 1 instrument!  A chromed Motorola radio is in the center and just in front of the speaker panel is a bud vase.  The floors are ribbed rubber and toe kicks are gray corduroy.  A KISS look for this original interior.

Drivetrain
The condition of the cars and attention to detail that come into this place never cease to amaze me, and this one is no exception!!  Take a gander at this totally rebuilt 1192cc horizontally opposed 4 popper topped with a 1-barrel downdraft carb.  This is backed by a 4-speed manual tranny.  A 4.38 rear axle is in and all is looking just great for this engine and bay.  Right down to the dimpled insulated engine liner all around.

Undercarriage
Giving this classic a lift we are greeted by German fastidiousness in the form of nearly all rust free steel with a black straight unibody and nearly showroom floor pans and underside.  Transverse torsion bars upfront provide the ride, and swing arms with transverse torsion bars are on the rear.  Drum brakes are all around.  We note a small area of invasive rust just in front of the rear swing arm pivot point.

Drive-Ability
These older V-dubs are just a bomb and one in this condition turns my screws.  So I hopped in and turned the key and was off like a prom dress.  A quick starter and smooth shifter, this car for the people runs excellently.  It is very comfortable and turns on a dime.  A nifty ride and the music from that flat 4 is just iconic and cannot be replicated.  Call it tinny, call it on the borderline of knocking, I just cannot get enough of it!  An all working example save for the radio.

These classic bugs are just getting better and better.  Reminiscent of a bygone simple era where the German invasion came in the form of a VW, and not a Panzer.  The Americans gladly scooped up this German engineering by Mr. Porsche, and some have thankfully survived.  This is a wonderful preserved example, rust free, and just a beautiful engine bay, and interior. 

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.