The Rosenstiel Roadster.
This is the one and only "Rosenstiel Roadster", a one off "coachbuilt" built all by hand out of VW steel
based upon photographs and drawings of the very first Hebmuller Prototype built in 1948.
For those not familar with the Hebmuller, it is widely known as the most valueable and highly prized VW models ever,
with extremely low production and values that stretch to the sky.
A fully restored example just sold for $145,000!! and another unrestored example sold for nearly $100K recently (seriously!).
This car, while not a genuine Hebmuller, has been welcomed with open arms into the Coachbuilt classes
at such prestigious events as the VW Classic in Irvine California where it has quite often
placed first in class beating out genuine coachbuilt models.
The car is truly a work of art and has been regarded by many as one of the most beautiful VW bodies ever to roll on four wheels.
It has won numerous awards and has been featured in VW magazines from around the world
including full feature articles in VW Trends,
Volksworld,
Super VW (centerfold poster!),
VW Speed,
Lets Play VWs
and numerous mentions and photos in show articles throughout the years as well.
It is perhaps one of the best known VWs out there in the scene today.
The car is an impressive work of craftsmanship and abounds in special details that make it as cool as it is.
Firstly the sheer amount of labor to create the body shape itself is astounding.
Starting with a derelict 1964 Beetle sedan as the basis, the body was masterfully re-crafted
using all German steel and skilled old world metal shaping craftsmanship.
The rear engine lid required the construction of a special die that was used to hand form the shape and the body lines.
Under the lid you can see the metal work clearly while up above is glistening smooth finish.
The top frame is another work of art with its finished wood bows and low roof line,
the hand formed aluminum window frames and taillight rings,
the fully scratch built all steel split window style dashboard with hand made glove box liners,
the list goes on and on.
It took the builder 7 years of work to get the car to operating status not counting finish work and cosmetics.
The interior was done by the masters at West Coast Classics
and features stitch patterns and designs taken directly from the split window era convertible cars,
the seats are early seats imported from Sweden, channeled down to sit the driver and passenger down into the vehicle down low,
the rear luggage are structure was crafted in using Karmann Ghia sheet metal and features a flip up storage space
that could be turned into a Ghia style rear seat with the addition of the base and back.
The car is dressed and accessorized with period split window era parts such as the grooved bumpers
that were also brought in from Sweden and replated to a jewel finish, the Porsche Speedster headlight grilles,
the "Swan Neck" side mirrors that flow gracefully into the grooved split window body trim.
The Petri Banjo style steering wheel with sun and moon horn button is another stunning accessory.
The taillights and popes nose license plate light also help complete the package
and the Hebmuller body badge on the passenger side is a fine detail as well.
A rare cast aluminum D badge adorns the rear bumper and the hood crest is a very rare color combination enamel badge.
(bubblehead man badge on the front bumper is not included in the sale...
a personal souvenier from the legendary Bad Camberg vintage VW event in Germany).
Mechanically the car features a 36 horse engine with custom fabricated dual carb manifolds and linkage
to allow the use of two factory VW carbs. Inspired by the legendary Okrasa performance kits,
it gives the car significantly more power than a factory engine.
The exhaust is a hand made custom single tip unit that has embossed VW emblems
in the steel at each end, a work of art in it's own right and it sounds awesome.
The transmission is a full syncromesh gear box with "freeway flyer" gearing
that allows reasonable highways speeds even with the small powerplant.
The front axle beam is adjustable and can be raised or lowered easily with a jack and basic hand tools.
The Denman classic wide whitewalls are fitted to Porsche 356 wheels that have been painted two tone to compliment the interior colors.
When featured in the magazines that car was fitted with the classic Cal Look BRM wheel.
The buyer will have choice of the Porsche wheels with whitewalls currently fitted to the car,
or the BRMs with blackwalls.
Condition wise the car is in excellent shape.
It has been driven and has a few stone chips but overall is as pretty a vision as it has always been since completion about 5 years ago.
The paint was done with high end German Glasurit materials and is done well, but not perfect.
The top and interior are still clean and proper, with no noteable wear.
The roll up windows each have a crack due to stress but I have never found it necessary to replace
as when shown the windows are always down, and when I drive it the top is usually down as well.
The rubber seals and weather stripping are in excellent condition as is the chrome on the bumpers, mirrors, and headlight rings.
