Highlights

Chassis and matching original 30 hp engine, verified by a VW birth certificate
Originally delivered to Panama, this example resided in Columbia for many years before laterly being exported to the UK where this car is now fully registered.
High quality EvaResto bolt-on air-ride system fitted with AirLift 3P management
The vendor reports a high level of originality retained - chassis, crashbox (non-synchronized gearbox), many original panels, all glass, lights, and bumpers
L378 Prairie Beige with 72 Red leatherette interior
Approximately £10,000 invested over the last few years
Original wheels, beam, reconditioned drum brakes and fresh whitewall tyres are included as part of this sale. This offers a route back to stock

The Appeal

The 1956 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle occupies a particularly cherished place in the air-cooled pantheon. Distinguished by its oval rear window, this second iteration of the iconic design has become highly desirable, introduced in 1953 and replaced by a rectangular window in 1958.

This particular example is reported to retain a commendable degree of originality. The original chassis is paired with its matching 30hp engine, verified by a VW birth certificate. The certificate also confirms original details including the upholstery in red leatherette, lockable handle, large reflector brake lights, and US-specification bumpers with overriders.

The vendor advises that the car retains many of its original panels, along with all Sekurit glass and a rare US-spec laminated Visurit windscreen, designed to maintain a circular clear viewing area in the event of damage. The car also retains its original lights, which are in good condition.

Included with the car is a spare wheel accompanied by an original early 1950s Hazet toolkit, with many of the original tools still present. It also retains its original jack and features a lockable bonnet pull.

The car has benefited from approximately £10,000 of expenditure in recent years on modest, reversible improvements. Importantly, the original wheels, front beam, and reconditioned drum front brakes have been retained and are included with the car. This offers the new owner the option to return the car back to its stock appearance.

Despite limited show appearances, this Beetle has won Best Beetle and Top Ten awards at some of the events it has attended.

This is a CKD (Complete Knock Down) Volkswagen, originally from Panama, later residing in Colombia where it was a regular participant in the annual Feria de las Flores in Medellín, a well-known festival featuring a concours car event. The car is now fully registered on UK plates.

This 1956 Beetle is a deeply charismatic and highly collectible example.

History and Paperwork

Manufactured on the 16th of August 1956 and delivered to Panama on the 20th of August 1956.
Imported from Colombia in 2021 and now registered on UK plates
Purchased by the current owner on 14th August 2021; used very lightly since and always dry-stored
VW birth certificate, letters and receipts for all recent parts and work
Engine serviced shortly after purchase by the VW Engine Company and subsequently maintained by the owner
Approximately £10,000 spent on the car over the last few years
The odometer shows 13,027 kilometres; believed to have gone around the clock
Limited exposure at shows and has won some awards
MOT-exempt

The Condition

New Group 4 Heritage wheels (diamond cut silver matt clear) based on the initial Fuchs wheel design proposal for the Porsche 911s, with new original Porsche 911 centre caps, titanium lug nuts and tyres
A very small area of chipped paint on the edge of the front wing needs attention, and a few minor stone chips.
Small scratch on the roof and a previously touched-up area on one rear wing
The vendor describes the overall condition as highly presentable; not to concours levels but polishes well
No known history of the paintwork, but likely repainted in the original colour at some point
The vendor reports a high level of originality retained, including:
- Panels
- All glass (Sekurit throughout with US-spec laminated Visurit windscreen)
- Lights
- Original thick steel US-spec bumpers
Semaphores have been rewired at some point, not to the greatest standard; they work and have flashing bulbs fitted but would benefit from a little TLC
The vendor describes the interior as being in very good condition for its age
Original-spec seat coverings carry a pleasing patina; some wear to seams noted
Later perforated headliner and new carpets have been fitted
Seat belt anchors present (belts were previously fitted), so seatbelts can be easily bolted back in
All chrome and switches reported to be in very good order; rare lockable bonnet pull present and correct
Most of the modifications have been carried out by HR Autoworks LDN, where a further detailed collection of photographs for the work can be viewed by their social media pages, under the album named ‘Darren’s ‘56’

The Mechanics

1,192cc 4-cylinder engine producing 30 hp
Manual “crashbox” transmission with 4 gears
Gear coupling renewed, new vacuum line, new 6v battery fitted by the owner
New refurbished period-correct Solex 28 PCI Carburetor
New choke fitted
Full EvaResto bolt-on air-ride system fitted with AirLift 3P management, air tank housed behind the rear seat/parcel shelf, 4" narrow beam, dropped spindles, and an independent 12v battery with cut-off switch
Front cross-drilled disc brake kit fitted, including red Wilwood 4-pot callipers and pads
Original wheels, beam, and reconditioned drum brakes are available with this sale

BEFORE YOU BUY
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