40 hp, 1192 cc, air-cooled OHV horizontal four-cylinder engine, four-speed synchromesh manual transmission, independent front suspension by transverse torsion bars with upper and lower radius arms, swing axle rear suspension with trailing arms and torsion bar, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 94.5 in.

• Fully-documented restoration of sound West Coast car

• New paint, top, interior, chrome, and tires; correct motor and transmission

• Retains rare spare-wheel tool kit and original radio

After the war, the British famously turned down the VW factory as part of reparations, complaining the car was slow and noisy, which is akin to Decca Records rejecting the Beatles and “seeing no future in guitar bands.” Nevertheless, sales to the U.S. started slowly, with about six cars sold in 1950, before the magic hit home. Between 1958 and 1964, the Beetle charmed its way into American homes, helped by the very best advertising Madison Avenue could provide.

Karmann and Hebmuller built convertible Beetles from 1949; though, Hebmuller fizzled out in 1953 after constructing only 606. The last 14 were actually made by Karmann, which would go on to build 331,847 by 1980. Karmann solved body flexing by adding channeling under the sills and around the doors and capped the whole creation with a superbly fitted, lined top with a glass back window that grew in size over the years. Side windows wound down, and the top stacked at the back, like a mattress.

First class convertibles, like the one offered here, have a devoted following. A very sound car from the West Coast, this car has been treated to a thorough restoration and repainted in its original Sea Blue. The new interior is bone vinyl, as is the top and boot cover. The chrome is all new, as are the body gaskets and seals. It is fitted with the correct motor with six-volt electrics, period whitewalls, and its original AM radio. The car also has its glove box handbook and the very desirable toolkit fitted inside the spare wheel, which rounds out this lovely offering.