1965 VW Beetle; 65k ORIGINAL MILES; Driver restoration; NO RESERVE

1965 Volkswagen Beetle - Classic Description

1965 VW Beetle; 65,000 original miles; excellent driver condition, older restoration.

Very high-level driver condition, older restoration Beetle.

Lost storage, must sell. Original documentation - Bill of Sale, old plaques, photos of PA title showing original mileage certification (NC titles don’t show the same). Original paperboard trunk liner and glove box (VERY RARE). Tool kit and jack.

Upgraded for modern traffic, all take-off parts kept.

New - 1776 motor & trans ($6,000), electronic ignition, full 12v conversion, disc brakes (front), rebuilt rear drums,ceramic exhaust,widened wheels with new tires, Vintage Speed short shifter, proper LHD Euro H4 reflector headlights fluted Hella lenses. Comes with uninstalled new interior from Sewfine (black tweed seat covers with new seat foam, pile carpet, door panels, all black bezels, grab handles, visors, etc.).

More photos from when I bought the car about a year ago (includes some underside pics, original bill of sale, etc.): add “http://” to the front of this address: s1152.photobucket.com/user/JohnMegan_Lawlor/library/

Known problems (going for full disclosure here):

- Small leak from one axle where it connects to trans.

- Radio getting interference in speaker wire (?) so radio disconnected.

- Door locks / key need to be rebuilt. Not working and afraid to force.

- Windshield wiper is single speed, but with 2spd switch. The switch positions are ‘park, off, on’; to turn off and park properly, you have to turn off first, then move to park position. 12v is too strong and wipers don’t properly park at bottom of windshield unless stopped first.

- Driver-level paint - some nicks, hard-to-note run or two, surface rust forming at some nicks. Being pretty picky here, but want to be clear it’s not show level - although it certainly might look it from 10 feet. You’d be pleased to drive this to cars&coffee or local shows. Also some dings in trim, though no rusting or pitting.

- Bumpers are nice, but some surface rust is forming near the bumper bolt-holes andjust forming on bumper top. Photo of frunk spare tire well shows some post-rain rusty waterresidue that has run along bumper support and dripped from mounting bolts (rust is from bumper, not frunk / body)- I'm not trying to hide anything with this auction.

The Long Story

I usually have a second car for weekend fun. A couple of years ago I bought an old VW Beetle because ‘it’s safer than the Ducati’ as I told my wife. The Beetle needed restoration, so I bought high-quality new everything - new motor & trans, disc brake conversion, 12v conversion, new interior, widened stock steel wheels, the list goes on. My prior 2nd car was a Porsche 911, and I couldn't believe how reasonable the VW prices were,so Ididn't worry too much about the cost. Well, the restorer decided he could make more money on VW bus restorations, so pushed my schedule back after he already had it for 8 months, then doubled the price. When I went to confront him, I found a shell that was mostly blasted and full of rust. I abandoned the project,collected all of my new parts that were shipped to him, and walked away with a loss for what I had paid him (guys like him give this hobby its oft-deserved bad rep). I was at a loss but still wanted a Beetle, so I shopped for a very good one.

I found this 65 Beetle listed for $17k and bought it for $14k from a reputable Lancaster PAantique Jeep restorer (Lime Street Carriage - great guys). It came with an excellent history - 3 local PA owners from new, 2nd owner restored and owned long-term, inspected by the former Pres of the Antique Auto Club of America .. just a great little Beetle. I bought it and brought it up to modern safe driving spec by installing most of the new parts, and kept the old in storage. I’ve driven it several hundred miles and it’s a great little Beetle.

I just had my job reduced to part-time and lost my storage. I’m turning 50 this year and am going to try to make a go of being part-time, so the Beetle has to go. I hate selling things - I’m always uncomfortable that the new owner won’t be happy and I just don’t like the pressure of the sale. In my view, sunk costs are sunk, and let's face it - I'm middle aged and what is is simply what is - I'm not chasing any angles here. So I don’t mind taking a sunk loss on the car, I’m more concerned about being able to relax and not worry about things. I can’t stand to think about this car slowly falling apart under a cover in my driveway, so it has to go - I’ll just be happier that way. This is not a scam, and I’m no scammer, so this should be a great deal for someone (but don't eventhink about trying to screw me on this deal either - 'cause I'm not aboutto put up with any of that.)

Here’s as close to a total tally of what I have into it &/or have done since purchase:

All parts taken off have been kept.

Beetle - $14k

Motor & Trans - Powerhaus 1776; $5,860; google Powerhaus John Lawlor 1776 for build video (original motor ran well when removed)

New ceramic exhaust - $650

Front disc conversion - AC industries; kept 5wide pattern $450

Rear drums complete rebuild

12v conversion

New full interior (not headliner) from Sewfine; not installed - $1,955

Widened wheels with new tires - $1,100

Euro reflector headlights (LHD) - Hella lenses; H4 bulbs $400

VintageSpeed shifter - $200

RetroSound radio - $200

Car Cover - $300

Plus lots of other bits and pieces (have VW Heritage mirrors for driver and passenger uninstalled, etc, etc)

My bottom line - When you add the above, plus the first Beetle and restoration costs that I had to abandon, I’m into my total Beetle projects for well over $40k, not to mention my time and stress. So what do I do now? I could try to maximize the dollars I get back - which would be a lot more stress for me - or I could set a comfortable price and have someone be very happy with a handshake deal and a great purchase - for extremely little stress on me. After $40k already, what’s a couple of extra grand lost on an easy sale? The upside for me is the savings in worry - which is something I value highly.

Legal Stuff - This is not a show car, it's a fine driver. Buyer is assuming all risks - the sale is as-is, where-is. There will be no refunds nor returns. Seller reserves right to end auction and sell for original buy-it-now price of $9,500.00 at any time during auction duration. Buyer is responsible for shipping - VEHICLE IS BEING STORED COVERED OUTSIDE until buyer retrieves (although nice neighborhood and on driveway at my house). Many extra parts come with the sale (all of my old Beetle stuff for this Beetle) - original engine & trans & axles & wheels & uninstalled new interior & old brakes & bunches of other stuff - you'll need a truck for it all.