$11,000
Frenchtown, New Jersey
Category
-
Mileage
74387
Posted Over 1 Month
You are looking at a beautiful 1955 OVAL window beetle! I spent a lot of time searching for a 55 or older example, once you spend a little time in the VW game you tend to see a lot of 60's models. I just felt if i was going to fix one up I wanted to be fixing an older OVAL or Split one! This bug was originally from California, but in the early 80's it worked it's way east to Philadelphia. From what I was told it was driven for awhile and then parked. The guy I bought it from had owned since 1991 and was kept in a garage until I bought in 2007. This is an original Stratos Silver Car......you can still see original paint in trunk area and interior, again I liked seeing the old paint inside, and plus it looked pretty good to me! Exterior of car had been painted poorly with a mint green paint, I originally tried to remove the old paint but then found out rear fenders were new so I decided to have the entire car repainted. All other body panels are original to car! Body sits on it's original pan and only the battery area has been replaced. Overall very little welding was done to this car. We had to weld in new bottom heater channel panels towards rear of bug. These are very good reproductions from Sweden as is the panel that the heating tubes come through rear end. You will find that 55 and older cars have a lot of unique more expensive panels! Interior of heater channels were treated with a wax type material to kill any rust that was present as well as new interior seams. This car is a late 55 being produced in May, thus the bullet turn signals, which I would take over any of the other turn signal options....heah we all have favorite parts etc! Engine and split case are correct period but neither are original to car. Transmission was rebuilt 10-15 years ago but not installed until 2 summers ago. Shifts smoothly and easily but can wiggle out of 3rd on bumpy roads etc. nothing violent but it can happen! I usually keep my hand on third as I'm shifting through gears. Engine was overhauled and runs very well, not rebuilt but very good, no smoking and starts pretty easily. Carburetor was rebuilt by guy in Idaho....who did an amazing job....boy what a difference that made! When car was split from body all hard and soft brake lines were replaced and new shocks installed as well as all brake parts! Also at this time heater boxes were taken apart and powder coated, all complete but unconnected as the car was really only driven in warm weather. Cable is installed but I never did the final connect! Body was taken down to bear metal and painted Stratos Silver and then clear-coated. Shows well, but does have several issues. There are 3-4 clear coat drips that still need to be polished out and there are a few small scratches here and there, the worse being on top of passenger door where a roof rack clip rubbed it raw.....damn roof rack....stupid me! Also in photo where i show single tip exhaust you can see an area to right where paint has split slightly. Car would look amazing to do the final polish out! This was an expensive paint job, 4,500 but I ended up having major problems getting the guy to finish! I finally got to the point where I just took car back and was going to have someone else do the final work......but then never bothered with it! Interior seats are all leather and smell great! Ended up being a little over the top price wise, about 2,000 when you add up leather and labor! Interior panels are vinyl but look very good as well. New carpets were also installed as well as a mohair headliner......I always laugh when people say I am including a new headliner with the sale......headliners are a lot of work and i spent hours installing this, but I think turned out really well! Sound deadening material was installed below carpets and above headliner as well as new engine tar paper behind engine. All new rubber was installed around all windows, which lead to a broken front windshield, that will need to be replaced! I really thought I would keep this forever, famous last words, but trying to buy a house and have too many cars! Car is located in Frenchtown NJ and i would be happy to show any interested parties Sunday, Monday or Tuesday Everything works well on this example, horn, turn signals, choke, interior light, dash lights latches etc. Driver side vent is a little bit of a bear to get closed again, those new rubber pieces can be tough! I drive this car to Philadelphia once in awhile and have driven to many car shows in the area. Very reliable car that I need to sell, very modest reserve.....not even half what I probably have invested! Please call me with any questions! Mike Wilson 215-681-9990. If less than 20 bids please call me or your bid will be removed. I kept original chrome rearview mirror that shows wear and rearview mirror shows pitting, as well as passenger exterior handle....just my personal preference not to over restore......I see enough better than new examples that leave me cold! This is a car that you can drive and enjoy and make a few improvement along the way! White walls are getting close to their end but really have very few miles on them......I've tried to list everything i could but please ask any questions before bidding!
Trim deluxe
