1963 Volkswagen Beetle Karmann
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Highlights
- Rare pre-64 Karmann convertible
- Body-off-chassis restoration and respray by Wye Valley VW
- New Newton Commercial interior in tan and beige
- 1,600CC dual-port engine and 12V electrics
- Volkswagen documentation confirms authenticity
- Lots of history dating back to 1970s
The Appeal
The Beetle may have been the people’s car but there was nothing everyday and ordinary about the Karmann-built convertible. It was beautifully engineered to deliver a very different sort of car.
Early pre-1964 models are both pure to the originals and very rare. Here is one. Chassis records and Volkswagen certification confirm it is a 1963 model.
It has been subject to a truly extensive restoration by Wye Valley Volkswagen that involved a body-off bare metal respray in pretty Gulf Blue. Newton Commercials have retrimmed the interior in smart tan and the engine has been upgraded to a 1,600 dual port motor. The electrics are now running at 12V. It has been converted to RHD.
With a detailed history back to the 1970s and a wealth of original features, this Beetle Karmann Convertible is a standout example of a classic car.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1963 in the USA which is verified by chassis and factory records
- Current keeper for last eight years according to seller
- DVLA records record that the car was previously cream which was changed in 1994
- VW birth certificate available showing genuine Karmann chassis
- Body retains its Karmann body stamp but the plaque is missing
- V5 and some history back to 1970s available
- Car was delivered to the USA but imported into the UK before 1978
- The vendor acquired body 8 years ago but managed to acquire the chassis in 2023. Both body and chassis are genuine Beetle Karmann 63
- DVLA incorrectly state first registered in 1965
- Odometer replaced due to the old one not working
- New odometer is period-correct
- Receipts available for new parts bought
- Old logbooks going back to the late 1970s available
- Body-off restoration and respray by specialist Wye Valley Volkswagen
- Retrimmed by Newton Commercials
The vendor tells us: “Although you could drive home you would be better transporting as there are some large spares to go with it if you want them (front beam, original solex carb, original Bosch distributor and some smaller stuff)”
The Condition
- Full body-off-chassis restoration and professional respray
- Repainted in L390 Gulf Blue with complementary blue roof
- New reinforcement rails installed
- Heater channels from original rust-free car
- New front quarter panels added
- Original front wings retained
- Original Karmann badges preserved
- Original wheels painted to match the body
- New Newton Commercial seats, door card and carpets in tan and beige
- New inner and outer convertible roof installed
- Outer roof has some wrinkles
- Inner roof in twill cloth
- All window glass and frames are original, frames showing some wear but no rust
- Correct convertible rearview mirror installed
- Restored and working period radio
- All controls (gear stick, steering wheel etc) in matching beige
- Seatbelts fitted front and rear
- Full respray by Wye Valley VW classics at cost of over £7,000
- Bumpers showing some surface rust
- Car converted to right-hand-drive
- Bumpers are US towel rail reproductions and show some rust spots
- Some small roof rubber seals are missing but all the main ones are present
- Window chrome slightly weathered – one window frame is chrome wrapped
- The aluminium body tag didn’t come with the car
- Karmann body stamp is still in place in the spare wheel well
The Mechanics
- 1,600cc dual port air cooled 4cyl engine
- 4spd fully synchromesh gearbox
- Full service recently completed
- New fuel pump, carburettor, spark plugs, ignition leads and points
- New clutch installed
- New distributor vacuum cannister
- All brakes and brake lines replaced with new
- All wheel bearings replaced
- Gearbox service
- Axle boots replaced
- We are advised that the front kingpin has slight play but not significant
- Washer bottle is not connected
- Most mechanical parts replaced or restored
- Car drives well according to vendor
- Seering is light
- Brakes are drums all round
- Gearbox reportedly smooth and easy to use
- New EMPI 34 PICT3 carburettor fitted
- Original Solex carburettor is included in the sale
- New fuel line using kunifer copper/ nickle
- All rubber lines upgraded to ethanol-safe versions for use with modern petrol
- Gearbox is slightly later version with new gear shift bushes
- All new brake lines using kunifer copper/ nickel.
- New master cylinder with dual circuit for safety and all wheel cylinders
- All new brake shoes
- New wheel bearings and new suspension bushes at the rear
- Replacement wheel bearings at the front
- Beam is a German one not a reproduction with no rust
- Original beam is included but has play in the kingpins and other bearings
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
Vehicle specification
- Year 1965
- Make Volkswagen
- Model Beetle
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 15,156 Miles
- Engine size 1600
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Chepstow
- Location Wales
- Country United Kingdom
6
bids
from 4
bidders
- walker.•••• £14,000 06/05/24
- Twitche•••• £12,750 06/05/24
- arnieca•••• £12,500 03/05/24
- Arthurf•••• £11,000 03/05/24
- Arthurf•••• £10,000 03/05/24
- arnieca•••• £8,500 03/05/24
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