1963 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

1963 Volkswagen Beetle - Classic Description

Designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche in the thirties and constructed largely unchanged for nearly 50 years, the Volkswagen Beetle was initially inspired by America’s Ford Model T – an affordable ‘People’s Car’ of attractive design and reliable construction. Mass production, worldwide exportation, and an unmistakable design made the tiny VW ‘Käfer’ an instant icon of popular culture.
In many ways, the seven years of VW history from 1958 to 1964 were perhaps the greatest. The conquest of the American market, a trendsetting advertising campaign and the remarkable development of a worldwide chain of distributors all contributed to the Beetle’s surge in popularity. It was also during this period that the Beetle, a car from overseas, gained widespread acceptance in the United States with a model that was much more practical than its predecessors. Motor Trend described it as a “…a car that breaks sharply with tradition, and does so with undeniable competence.”
The Beetle presented here remains a very original, unmolested car with fabulous patina. It is a matching-numbers example with the correct series, 40-horsepower engine. The floors and panels are original and remain in excellent condition. Recently, the car benefited from a comprehensive restoration by Classic Showcase in California. After stripping the paint and body parts, the body was primered, sealed, painted and sanded, then buffed for a very shiny black gloss exterior finish. Each part was individually painted, as well. What’s more, this car has been professionally prepared, inspected and thoroughly gone over. It benefits from new rubber, grommets, hardware and seals, a newly rebuilt carburetor and new tires, trim, windshield and starter as well as a correct, new fuel pump and voltage regulator. All of the brightwork was redone and the original steering wheel was restored.
Other features include an oil bath air cleaner and an original Sapphire I Radio. In fact, the car still operates on an original 6-volt power system. It runs and drives wonderfully and was restored to a show driver level with a new roomy Salmon interior, headliner and panels. All told, this may very well be one of the finest 1963 Volkswagen Beetle’s available on the market today.