1963 European Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe - German Paperwork/history on 2040-cars

VIN: 5129008 Year: 1963
Interior Color: White
Make: Volkswagen
Number of Cylinders: 4
Model: Beetle
Trim: Deluxe
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Drive Type: U/K
Mileage: 100,000
Sub Model: Deluxe
Exterior Color: White

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

Up for bid is my prized 1963 Deluxe European Beetle.

Background: This European beetle is at least slightly rarer than normal euros being it has the supporting paperwork to accompany its story. It was purchased and picked up from the factory in Germany before being shipped back to the states when it was new, where its original owner owned/drove it until at least 1995. This history is confirmed in the pile of documents, receipts, etc that accompanies the car. It includes the original purchaser/owner’s original AAA international driving permit from his trip to pick it up, the original German registration and insurance documents, and all manuals, etc in their original factory sleeves. The receipts detail every service done to it from ~1971 to 1995. One of the best documented cars I’ve found to date and with a tad more German pedigree than you’d expect!

It has all the standard Euro features original to the car: OG two-tone hella tail lights, OG orange peanut front signals, KPH speedometer, factory steering lock, etc. Additionally it was never sold with (nor fitted with) seat-belts, still retaining all the factory tunnel plugs and was fitted with U.S spec over-rider bumpers.

I purchased the car from who I believe is the 4th owner, but it doesn’t appear much was done with it from after the 2nd owner “restored” it as far as I can tell, just passed from Storage unit to storage unit. I took ownership and proceeded to get the car back into running/driving condition (it was originally described as such when I purchased the car, but was far from the truth after closer inspection). It had previously been gone over by someone unfamiliar with VW’s from the looks, getting a paint job, some seat covers, and a laundry list of botched repairs that I’ve been steadily redoing. I always air on the side of keeping as much original equipment a possible and not bolting on a bunch of new shiny sub-par quality parts and I hope that’s evident in the repairs performed. This car is not perfect, nor is it a beautified rot box, it was brought back into a state suitable for daily driving.  

Work performed since I purchased it:

• Welded in new rear OE style bumper brackets and apron support sheet metal

• Welded in new front spare tire well

• Replaced clutch, cable, clutch return spring, and the throw-out bearing

• Reset endplay on motor (there is slight thrust play in front bearing as well but block has never been line bored as far as I can tell) and changed rear main seal

• Replaced the factory thermostat and thermo control ring on motor since they had been removed

• Replaced KPH speedo with US spec MPH unit until original one can be sent out to fix odometer which is stuck at 22,000 (KPH unit included in sale)

• Replaced the bias ply’s that were still on it with new tires for the rear and good used ones in the front

• All new brakes including new wheel cylinders, shoes, rubber lines, and most of the metal lines, (except the one front to back which had already been replaced at one time or another). Retained OE VW drums with gear oil catchers etc.

• Rebuilt front end which included: new link/kingpin bushings (reamed to size properly), new shocks, new threaded inserts welded into the upper shock mounts of the front beam, steering box adjusted, new front wheel bearings (broken in, cleaned, and repacked/re-adjusted), and new tie-rod ends/steering damper

• Axle boots were replaced, one axle seal redone, tranny lube changed (with proper GL-4 90 wt)

• Replaced rear window and rear quarter window seals since they all leaked. Windshield seal is only one not replaced, but it didn’t leak at the time so I didn’t bother. (Car comes with a new seal if you’re so inclined). Perimeter door deals were also replaced.

• New accelerator pivot welded to the pan to replace the botched door hinge pivot that was cobbled into place

Additional Details

• Originally Pearl White, the exterior was repainted during the previous “restoration”, but it’s a slightly brighter white, which is in pretty decent shape. The interior still sports the original paint, with dings and scratches from 50 years of use. When doing the front and rear apron work I touched them up with a white that’s closer to the OG color. Whoever painted the car also painted over all fender beading, taillight seals, and the bumpers for some reason… so I’ve been replacing much of the rubber to get rid of that, but the car still sports it’s white bumpers. They have some nicks and dents, but overall don’t look too bad all things considered.

• The wiring has NEVER been touched as far as I can tell, including no radio ever installed, factory block off plate still in place, with the anti-rattle goo on the back of the fasteners having never been touched. Engine compartment wiring is also original and in great shape.

• Original number’s matching, all original stale air (very early 63) 40 hp engine is still in place and purring along. All still 6 volt, with the original vacuum advance distributer and air preheater, etc. Engine compartment is VERY tidy as seen in the pictures with the original tar boards still in place.

• Original headliner still in place and in good condition except around the rear window which is in sad shape from a water leaking in around rear window seal (replaced)

• Original door cards and front rubber mats

• Pans and heater channels are very solid, although they have been repaired a few times in the past.

• New pan halves were installed with the old bolt rail still in place by a previous owner, so not ideal, but still very solid. The new halves appear to have been NOS (still sporting grey primer).  

• The heater channels have been patched in various spots over the years, leaving them solid enough I didn’t bother replacing them, but the rear end of each one is bit crunchy in the very back (nothing structural, just ugly when looked at from underneath when your heads in the wheel well

This beetle is a great daily driver (I drive it on a 30 mile commute every day to work currently) and is pretty rare with its documented history such as it is. I have put 3-4,000 miles on it since I’ve owned it (bought in Jan ’12) and it just passed NY state inspection again a month ago with flying colors. Overall a great ride and in decent shape for the 50 years it’s been on the road! I liken the condition to one you would have found in the 80’s or 90’s… still carrying much of its original equipment, but with at least one “makeover” done to it, but hasn’t yet been destroyed or hacked too horribly. The only reason I’m selling it is to thin the heard for another project. I’m completing a 62 ragtop soon and this 63 will fall by the wayside. I have limited space, so off it goes!  Additional reams of pictures upon request.  I’ve tried to include as many overall shots as possible, but any specific areas can be shown upon request, don’t hesitate to ask!

Ask me any questions you’d like and if you would prefer verbal contact, drop me a line for a phone number.

Sale Terms: It’s being sold AS-IS with NO warranty implied or assumed, with a bill of sale and transferable registration. NY does not issue titles for older cars, so instead it has a fully transferable registration that is recognized in most states, but it is up to you to confirm this!  

Payment:  I require a $550 deposit on completion of the auction within 48 hours and full payment in CASH or other forms (that would have to be agreed upon before purchase) within two weeks. Any checks or other various forms of payment MUST clear before I will release the car to the buyer, no exceptions!

Viewing/Shipping: The car can be viewed anytime and if needed, I will deliver within 50 miles for a local sale or to a shipping location within that distance as requested. I will not arrange shipping for you, but can be available to release the car to a shipper if being picked up.