1956 VW Beetle Sedan For Sale
This San Diego based survivor Oval is a pretty neat car.
Such a pure and simple machine. I love them like this!
The car was sold new in Europe, but with US specifications and came to America in 1958.
It remains very stock and proper with a nice vibe of originality.
It has had an exterior respray at some point and the interior was done
over 30 years ago, but the overall feeling is of mild patina and preservation.
Its no show car, but its a car with obvious soul, and it comes with a fantastic paper trail
of receipts and history back into the 1950's.
Best of all it is a driver, ready for some fun out on the road.
Owners manuals and service booklets in the original French folder
Service booklet #2 is obviously a newer issue, but the Diffusion Automobile Paris
folder is original to the car.
Proper US Oval era owners manual.
Birth certificate from VW shows the US spec options including the
US spec taillights and "ram protection" US spec bumpers.
Oddly it shows Greece as the country of destination, but paperwork with the car clearly
shows its location in France back into its earliest days.
Here is a receipt from 1957 from the French distributor.
There are also receipts from Germany from late in 56.
Apparently the original buyer was an American that did some wonderful European travels in the car
before shipping it home to California where it has spent the rest of its days.
Here is the original import documents showing more of the story,
Original buyer was Kenneth Larson, who was in the US Army.
Looks like the car shipped out to California in December of 1957
and arrived on US shores early in 1958
Receipts from a San Francisco dealership in 1960 show the same Mr Larson as the owner
Looks like a complete engine rebuild was done at that time!
Receipts for Mr Larson in 1981 for a repaint in the original black color.
Interior done in 1990 for the same Mr Larson...I just love these long term ownership stories!
Ph...and the French spec Marchal yellow headlights are still with the car.
So cool!
The roof rack too is a French spec item with its original markings on it.
There are some paint and body flaws but nothing brutal.
These chips on the leading edge of the front hood are perhaps the worst.
It is the original 4 tab hood too by the way.
Paint has aged and shows some fade and checking.
A good detail I think would help it significantly
Original glass
Bumpers have been replaced with aftermarket units at some point.
Deck lid looks to be in great shape as do all the body panels really.
Standard US sealed beam headlights are in the car now.
Bullet front signals were new for 1956 for the US market.
Gotta love that Oval window!
Looks like the original running boards remain on the car which is cool,
but the rubber has deteriorated over the years of being in warm sunny California
As mentioned the paint is aging, but with modern waxes and ceramic glazes
I bet there is some shine to be had with a little effort.
Cool period sticker in the front window
That French roof rack is awesome too
Black California plates have been on the car since 1963 when
all cars in California were issued the "new" black plates.
The US spec "snowflake" taillights for 1956 were continued here through 1961
Radial tires with date now several years old
The tires look amazing though, still with the nipples on them and no signs of cracking that I can see here.
Remnants of the manufacturers sticker on the rack
Rack clamps are stamped "License Lefevre"
Passenger side front fender has a very slight bow at the wheel arch
from a light front end bump.
Interior appears to have the original paint finish and a great patina to it.
Original speedometer showing what appears to be 01135 miles, obviously turned over.
Dign in the drivers door jam
Original inspection marks from the factory
Original paper tag under the seat
Still 6 volt electrics,
Seats, carpet and headliner were redone in 1990 and look great.
Factory radio block off plate remains fitted to the dash.
Love the age of the horn push!
The original paint on the dash still shines with amazing gloss.
Headliner was redone in the proper materials and looks fantastic
Interior is very nice on this car.
A great place to be, behind the wheel of a 70 year old VW!
Cool
Engine remains a stock 36 hp with all the right bits present.
Remnants of a French VW service sticker on the rear apron
The engine runs great!
Transmission was rebuilt and upgraded to a full synchromesh unit not long ago.
Very fun driver.
Under the front hood is more cool originality.
Original 4 tab hood
Clean wiring
Original jack (and another later spare)
Looks like original trunk liner and you can see the factory radio and speaker block off plates in place here.
Solid in the spare tire well
Original aprons and sheet metal.
The underside looks well preserved and all original
Some heavy grease build up over 70 years but all is in order and properly functional.
New shocks are present
Super solid car
Love seeing the original floor pans
The worst rust being a tiny spot under the battery.
Rebuilt full sychro transmission is a nice upgrade
All proper stock 36hp tin and heater boxes in place.
This is one of those cars that just oozes cool.
Its history and life of care are clearly shown and nothing is hidden...its pure.
Like a comfortable pair of old jeans, it just fits and feels so good.
I'd much prefer something like this than a fully restored example personally, but that's just me.
In closing its just a good old Bug.
The known history back to its days traveling Europe are super cool
and its long life in the mild California climate has preserved it well.
It will be interesting to see where it goes from here!
Asking
$21,750
For More Info...CALL
951 795-1175
Or Email oldbug@earthlink.net