Description
For Sale '56 RHD Green Rag-Top Oval Beetle-
Some vehicles tell a story. This one reads like a love letter—across decades, through careful hands and cherished ownership. This stunning, original UK right-hand-drive 1956 Oval Beetle is a rare gem in every sense: a low-mileage survivor with documented history from the moment it left the dealership floor on Valentine’s Day 1956.
Purchased new on 14th February 1956 by Miss Elsie Sharpless from Volkswagen London, St James Street, this car has been preserved with such devotion that its original bill of sale (£788. 17 including tax) still accompanies the car. The ownership binder reads like a time capsule: original service books, manuals, handwritten notes, and maintenance records from Elsie’s trusted local garage.
Finished in L315 Jungle Green with a stunning dark green vinyl interior (original to the car), It was driven sparingly—displaying just over 30, 000 miles over Elsie’s 40-year stewardship. In fact, it’s believed her longest journey was from London to Dorset when she relocated, proving how gently the car was used.
Step inside and you're transported. The interior is completely untouched, never restored, and shows virtually no signs of wear. The green vinyl seats are immaculate, the headliner is stain-free, and the ashtray looks untouched—a testament to Elsie being a non-smoker. Factory crayon markings still exist if you know where to look.
The original sunroof vinyl, although now aged to black, still holds its green hue in areas that haven’t seen light. The door cards, carpeting, and rear bench look almost showroom-fresh. The passenger-only door lock—a quirky RHD-era design feature—remains present, preserved as part of this car’s originality.
After Elsie, the Beetle passed into the hands of Mr Richard Tricker, who gave the car a second life in the 1998 Monte Carlo Challenge—Europe’s toughest winter rally for classics. The car ran flawlessly over 1, 800km, climbing alpine passes and crossing the finish line in Monte Carlo in under 26 hours, fitted with a rally-prepped Oldspeed engine and Bosch fog lamps (still present today).
Following this rally period, the car changed hands again before being acquired by its most recent owner, Carl Elliot, a man whose well known in the VW scene and one who has preserved and maintained the car in concours-worthy condition. The Oval recently earned a place in the Top 10 Survivor Display at Classic at the Clubhouse, a curated selection of the finest unrestored classics.
While the original matching-numbers engine was replaced at some point—likely to aid reliability as was the done thing in the day—this decision reflects the car’s practical and well-loved journey. Thankfully, no modifications compromised the car’s original character and it still retains the original semaphore indicators. Paintwork is believed to be mostly original, with some minor panel refreshes over the years (wings, etc.), but retains consistent ageing. The wheels, suspension, brakes, and gearbox are in excellent condition. Even the original spare wheel with its period tyre is present. Currently displaying 46074 miles non-verified.
Yours for £43, 000. Viewings by appointment only. The vehicle is based in North Devon, near the coast and beaches of Woolacombe and Croyde. Nationwide and International delivery can be arranged—please contact us for more details or to book a viewing-Thankyou for reading.
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• 1956 Volkswagen Oval Beetle (UK RHD)
• L315 Jungle Green exterior / Dark Green interior
• Rare factory sliding sunroof
Currently displaying 46074 miles non-verified.
• Original interior throughout, unrestored and immaculate
• Original sales invoice, manuals, receipts, handwritten records
• Original door cards, headliner, ashtray, spare wheel
• Semaphores present; no big-window conversion
• Historic rally provenance – 1998 Monte Carlo Challenge
• Original quirks retained, incl. passenger-side-only door lock
