The double-pane window that frames the rear profile of the Volkswagen Beetle offered here denotes an earlier example from the model’s lengthy run. After series production began in 1945, some 21.5 million Beetles were sold worldwide, making it the most popular car made from a single platform of all time. While Volkswagen made constant revisions and updates to the earliest versions of the Type 1, the introduction of the one-piece ‘Oval’ rear window for models made from March 1953 onwards marked a major change to clearly differentiate the earlier ‘Split-Window’ cars (called “Brezelkäfer” in Germany) which are coveted by collectors.

This car was built on 9 February 1951 and left the factory days later, noted as 14 February. The Volkswagen was originally finished in Black and destined for Volkswagen-Partner Gerstenmaier of Baden-Baden, Germany. Though the car’s history for the following decades is not known, it is thought that the Beetle was repainted in “Panzergrau” for an on-screen film appearance in the 1980s. The car joined The Aumann Collection in June 2013, when it was acquired by the consignor at a French auction.

Purchased in a poor condition, Mr Aumann made attempts to begin this car’s restoration (invoices are available to view on file for cosmetic and mechanical repairs). While the Volkswagen can be enjoyed in its current form, the car does still require finishing work to get to a good standard.