A superbly presented early, original Beetle with desirable accessories and features.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Volkswagenwerk GmbH

Origin: Wolfsburg, West Germany

Production: 11,006

Motor: VW air-cooled, 4-cyl.

Displacement: 1,192 cc

Power: 36 hp

Length: 13 ft. 4.5 in.

Identification No. 2317922

Despite the dominance of large automobiles in the United States, smaller, imported vehicles grew strongly in popularity after 1950. Not surprisingly, this trend caught the eye of the American automakers, eventually leading them to build their own compact cars. The most influential compact model to land on U.S. soil was the now-legendary Volkswagen Beetle, affectionately nicknamed the “Bug” by a smitten American public.

This Type 151 Cabriolet was produced on March 13, 1959 and was delivered to its new owner, Margaret Begly, on March 18. A superlative example, it has been thoughtfully maintained throughout its life, as it has been treated to only one repaint and had a new top fitted in 1986. The rest of the car has been very nicely preserved, including the original factory chrome strips used on the convertible top. Refinished in its original color of white, which complements the original Brick Red interior, this VW has traveled a mere 23,430 miles from new and boasts a litany of original options and features.

Among those items are the unusual extra map pouch in the passenger-side door; the rare front VDO seat belts from the 1950s; the Robri fishtail exhaust tips; a glass flower vase; a traffic light viewer, curb feelers, and the original radio with papers; a center armrest; and the Lamertz beauty rings dated 1959.

Other original items of note include the “fat” radio antenna, a Kamei fuel lever extension, a glove box divider, a glove box pull, a rare accessory rubber grip for the emergency brake handle, and the original glass. This Beetle also retains its original passenger door accessory mirror, factory boot for the top, and large stop light on the rear bumper.

There are a number of NOS items that were acquired and installed over the years, including the Petri horn ring, mud flaps, Hazlet tools located in the spare tire, and a Drager fuel gauge. It even retains its original factory tag on the rear seat, dated March 1959.

This Beetle has been given a full tune-up, with additional service to the wheel bearings, suspension, and brakes. It would make a wonderful addition to a museum display, or it could be proudly shown at Volkswagen events and envied for its high level of originality and numerous options.