1955 Volkswagen Beetle Oval Custom
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HIGHLIGHTS
• Custom Beetle with period features
• US import, LHD
• Magazine feature car
• Fantastic period accessories
• Early Oval window
THE APPEAL
Over six million VW Beetles were sold over more than 60 years of production, so it’s fair to say it’s one of the all-time classic car icons.
Today, there’s a whole thriving scene built up around the legendary little car, from modified examples through to beautifully preserved or restored originals.
This one is far from standard – starting life a US-spec Beetle 1200, it was resurrected in California in the 2000s and given a distinctive patina/cal-look style, with lowered suspension, some very expensive Porsche parts and a distressed finish to the body, which manages to look naturally sunburnt but without being genuinely so.
This one is far from standard – starting life a US-spec Beetle 1200, it was resurrected in California in the 2000s and given a distinctive patina/cal-look style, with lowered suspension, some very expensive Porsche parts and a distressed finish to the body, which manages to look naturally sunburnt but without being genuinely so.
It's a very cool thing, and an artistic impression of what a Beetle can be – a car that is so many things to so many people, and in this case a highly unusual and distinctive interpretation.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
• Imported from USA in 2017
• All UK duties paid
• UK V5C
• Tax and MOT exempt
• Former VolksWorld feature car
326 YUB started life in the USA in 1955 as a standard Beetle sedan – it probably lived a quiet and unassuming life for most of its years, before it was discovered in the early 2000s by a Californian vee-dubber who transformed it into the custom car you see today.
It was imported to the UK in 2016 and acquired by the vendor five years ago.
He has thoroughly enjoyed using and showing the car, adding a few personal touches such as a period drinks holder, Mexican seat throws and a Coca-Cola cooler box (available by separate negotiation and not included in the sale price).
He is selling it due to the imminent arrival of a new family member, which means it is unlikely to get used.
He has thoroughly enjoyed using and showing the car, adding a few personal touches such as a period drinks holder, Mexican seat throws and a Coca-Cola cooler box (available by separate negotiation and not included in the sale price).
He is selling it due to the imminent arrival of a new family member, which means it is unlikely to get used.
The car is tax and MOT exempt and is sold with a UK V5C and all import duties paid. It was also once a feature car in VolksWorld magazine.
THE INTERIOR
• Original blue vinyl seats
• Mexican throws
• Period drinks basket
• Porsche 356 steering wheel
It’s basic, as you’d expect from a Beetle, but the cabin of the Bug is in excellent order with no major issues or signs of wear.
The seats are the original blue vinyl colour and have been retrimmed. It has aftermarket grey-piped carpets and a period Beetle accessory drinks basket, which clips over the transmission tunnel. It also has a wood-rimmed Porsche 356 steering wheel, which alone is worth thousands.
Other features of interest include a genuine fuel tank dipper as models this early did not feature a fuel guage and a new spare wheel.
THE EXTERIOR
• Patina'd distressed finish
• Fuchs alloys
• Rot-free dry state car
• Full custom spec
• Lowered
This one’s a real head-turner.
The distressed-effect paint gives it a custom rat-look, but it has come from a dry state and aside from some bubbles on one rear wing there’s no real rust to be seen – it’s all part of the look and is sealed beneath a matt-finish lacquer.
Cool features include Fuchs alloys and genuine Beetle headlight guards, along with a “VW 200,000km” plaque on the wing that suggests the 16,977 recorded mileage isn’t the first time around – hardly surprising given that the car is almost 70 years old.
It also has a sheriff’s badge on the rear bumper, and although the paint looks distressed all of the chrome is shiny and in excellent order. It’s a cool look.
It also has a sheriff’s badge on the rear bumper, and although the paint looks distressed all of the chrome is shiny and in excellent order. It’s a cool look.
THE MECHANICS
• Drives well
• 1600cc engine
• No known mechanical faults
The vendor describes the Beetle as being in good mechanical order.
The original engine has been replaced with a 1600cc unit for better performance. It has a charming and distinctive air-cooled clatter and holds good oil pressure.
The original engine has been replaced with a 1600cc unit for better performance. It has a charming and distinctive air-cooled clatter and holds good oil pressure.
It is said to be great fun to drive, with no known issues with the steering, suspension or any of the running gear.
SUMMARY
The Beetle is a blank canvas to many and whoever created this one had a vision to deliver something funky and unusual – and delivered.
It’s an amazing looking thing – a real head-turner – and is a great way of getting into the VW scene with a car that’s bound to be a star turn at shows and events.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1955
- Make Volkswagen
- Model Beetle Project
- Colour Green
- Odometer 16,977 Miles
- Engine size 1600
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location London
- Country United Kingdom
15 bids
from 6 bidders
- Craigsi•••• £10,500 17/06/22
- harriso•••• £10,250 17/06/22
- Craigsi•••• £10,000 16/06/22
- Craigsi•••• £9,000 16/06/22
- Craigsi•••• £7,500 16/06/22
- harriso•••• £6,400 16/06/22
- Craigsi•••• £6,000 16/06/22
- harriso•••• £5,000 14/06/22
- Marks94•••• £4,000 14/06/22
- manon-l•••• £3,500 14/06/22
The Gallery
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