1954 Volkswagen Beetle - Classic

Sedan

4 - Cyl.

Manual

10990284

Clear

Gasoline

1955 Volkswagen Oval Semaphore Beetle – 45 year time warp!! I found this car in the deserted house of the original owner! He is now 83 years old and finally started to rent out that house last summer – the reason why the barn had to be emptied out. I got the call through friends who know I am very much into classic cars and made the deal the same day. Here is what I know about the car – straight from the owners memory: The car was purchased in 1954 as a special order and he had to wait until early 1955 for the car to get to California to be delivered by the Pasadena dealer. As a NASA employee, he drove the car as his main transportation until he bought a 1957 Chevrolet V8 but still used the VW regularly until 1966. By then, he purchased a Buick and both cars were parked in his garage and over time being buried with anything and everything. This is why the last registration stickers are from 1967, 1966 being the last year these cars were used. Around 1970 his nephew wanted to make a dune buggy out of it (popular at that time) and took off the rear bumper & fenders, deck lid and exhaust muffler and started to “customize” the interior… Luckily he was not very determined and this is how the car sat until I opened the garage in November 2011. After I got it home I put on the parts, cleaned it up and did some basic test to it. Because I have other projects now I will offer the car as it is now, if it does not get sold I will do the (easy) restoration myself. The following pictures will show how perfectly rust free and straight it is, EVERYTHING is factory original with matching numbers drive train. Here are the VIN, body and engine number, they are perfectly in sequence with a very early (January) 1955 Beetle. I checked the motor first, it turns over very easily and all accessories seem original including the weird oil filler cap and oil bath air cleaner. There are a few more engine tins in a box with parts. The transmission seems to shift fine, it goes through all it’s gears easily. I did not trust the old 6V battery and just hooked up a 6V battery charger and most lights worked, be it very weak. The mileage is original, according to the owner, the black and gold plates can be available if the car stays in California as it has a clear (old, old) pink slip. For export, the owner wants to keep the plates as a momentum. I have the title in hand – ready to be signed over. OK, let me first show the outside as it stands now: The body has it’s original, factory black paint and is super straight, with a bit of waviness in one part of the roof. There is absolutely NO rust other than a bit of surface rust. Nothing in the doors or window openings or floors – not even in the (acid) battery area. The glass is original and perfect, the bumpers will need rechroming and all lights are very nice – the semaphores come out and look good. You can tell my the quality of the glass seals this car has been inside most of it’s life, one could even imagine driving this car without painting it! All moldings are very nice and straight, no missing ones. It has it’s 4 original wheel covers and windshield wipers the windshield is the original SEKURIT and is perfect. Here is first the interior without seats to show you the quality of the sheet metal: The dash is all stock and very nice, the steering wheel is not cracked and has the original horn button. The turn signal handle is one of the few parts that came out missing. Here is the interior – it is the factory setup with good door panels but mostly deteriorated (original) upholstery. (There is a full upholstery set with the car – it is older and seems high quality.) The seats move freely and all door hardware looks original and complete. Here is the engine compartment, as stock as you will ever find. I have only turned the engine, not tried anything else and will not do so for now. I would just pull the motor and have it gone through to avoid any problems. The trunk lid spring works fine and hold up the lid well. No rust, just greasy and dusty. The heater ducts are in unbelievable original condition and have the thermostat still fitted. The exhaust needs replaced. Here is the luggage compartment; bone stock and complete with a spare (taken out for pictures) and seemingly very complete. No rust, there is a minor dent in the front and the lid fits very nice. Last, but certainly not least, here is the underside, the structural and the pan. I know, unbelievable, it is unique to find a car in this condition – any restoration work will be extremely easy! I will let the pictures do the talking! I also have a small box of parts like the original jack, a spare windshield wiper unit and some other spare mechanical parts. If anyone is interested in anything else I can make more pictures. No other parts are included, paperwork is clear and the car can be inspected at any time. Thank you. I have tried to represent the vehicle as good as possible. Please review the pictures and email me if there are still open questions, I'm happy to reply. I can help with finding a shipper to either Overseas or East Coast, just contact me about it. (For overseas buyers: Taking the car to the docks for you will be an additional $150, we've done it many times.) MY CONDITIONS - VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ !!! Please do not ask what the reserve is--this is an auction. The title is free and clear and ready to be signed over, US buyers have to go through DMV. No trades are accepted and I reserve the right to end the auction early for any reason whatsoever. If you have no feedback or more than 3% negative fb, I will cancel your bid automatically before auction's end if you don't contact me to get clearance to bid--no exceptions! This shouldn't be a problem for most of you, but I must ascertain if you are a serious bidder or not, as I don't want to list the car again. All prospective purchasers agree that this description is solely for convenience, and is not part of any contract of sale for the vehicle. My description is my opinion only, and should not be considered a complete description of any or all faults, and may not be relied upon, taken as fact or otherwise considered a representation or warranty or any sort. The car is sold as-is, where-is with all faults known or unknown. These should only be considered the ramblings of a guy who likes old cars. Please see the car in person or send a representative for inspection. A pre-purchase inspection is strongly encouraged and I can happily take the car to one of the well-known nearby shops if you organize and pay for a PPI. Remember, this is a 55+ year old car that has been used; it is not showroom new. If you have ever had a classic vehicle, or you are considering owning one, you should understand that there is an almost endless list of repairs, improvements, corrections and details that can be attended to. Like the car, I am old too, so I may have forgotten things that are important to you. That’s why you should send someone to inspect this or any car you are considering purchasing. I apologize for this lawyerly disclaimer, but we live in strange times. Even though I have attempted to identify all the flaws I know of; please realize you are buying a 55 year old car, and so you should not expect it to be exactly like a 55 day old car! There may be minor flaws or features of the car that I did not catch, I just cannot possibly cover every detail that might be a concern to every buyer. The car comes with no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Like all Classic cars, you should expect normal wear and tinkering given it's age and mileage. Neither I nor the car have anything to hide, but we cannot possibly know everything that might be of concern to you. We'll be happy to accommodate your request to view the car in person. All sales are final and bidding on this auction constitutes acceptance of these terms in their entirety. You are bidding to buy this car, not to have the right to take a look at it! Your bid is a legal binding contract, and feedback will be left on the winning bidder, good or bad, depending on your actions. I simply do not tolerate bidders who do not step up to the plate and will pursue them to the fullest extent allowed by law. Payment: A non-refundable Paypal deposit of $250 is due IMMEDIATELY after the winning bid, just to weed out the bidders up to no good. If that doesn't happen, the auction will run it's course. (Thanks for that option, eBay!) Certified check, M/O, wire transfer, or cash only for the remainder and due within 7 days of auction close or the buyer will forfeit it’s rights for the car and it will be relisted. Full payment must clear my bank before pick-up is even attempted. The car must be picked up within 14 days of auction close or you are able to arrange something else with me. Please email me if you have questions that are not covered by the narrative or pictures. Thanks and good luck! God Bless America and all our BRAVE guys out there! Click here to view my other listings