Mr Kennedy's 1947 VW
SALE PENDING!!
Every now and then I am presented with incredible history as I open my inbox.
When an email from Mr Kennedy came through recently I must admit it really put an amazing
smile on my face. Like many I have memorized so many of the original VW advertisements
of the day, the self depreciating tone of the VW ads by Doyle Dane Bernbach of the 60s
went a very long way in bringing the VW into American culture.
At the time when this photo was taken in the mid 60's
the world of VW in the US was really taking hold.
Mr Kennedy's car was proof of concept that the Beetle was timeless.
The ability to blend parts of all years of cars was a stark contrast
to the US car makers that made new models every year.
The thought of parts from a 47 fitting on a 65 and visa versa
was completely against the way everybody else did it.
American car makers wanted you to want the newest model...Volkswagen was promoting
that you can keep your old one. A very different approach in selling new cars.
Portrait of our hero today, Mr Kennedy with his beloved Beetle.
Absolutely incredible life they have had together.
The ad was well celebrated as were many of the VW ads of the era.
Its one that I always remembered.
When Mr Kennedy reached out recently to mention that he still has the car,
it simply blew my mind. Now over 60 years after the ad, Mr Kennedy
has continued to drive his VW and upgrade it with parts from newer cars!
Its still on the road!!!
The car as it sits today is a bit different from in the 60's ad.
Its been painted a bright yellow , the chassis was changed again
to a 1967, the engine has been upgraded again , now with a 1600cc dual port
and some other changes to make it safer and more reliable.
The main body is still that of the 1947, and it is registered as such.
Mostly everything else has been changed, and in many cases changed
multiple times, but it just blows my mind that it is still on the road and still in
the hands of Mr Kennedy.
Do the math if you must, but lets just say that Mr Kennedy is getting "up there" in age.
It has been decided that it is time for his beloved Beetle to find a new caretaker.
Its important though to find the "right" home for the car, hopefully in the hands of
someone that will appreciate and celebrate the history of the car .
If you are a "purist" that is chasing a numbers matching all original car
this one is the polar opposite. The fact though that it was celebrated as such by VW themselves
makes it something totally unique. There is only one "Mr Kennedy's VW", and this is it.
The main body shell is where the story starts obviously,
a 1947 Beetle with the original tags and numbers intact.
The original small 1947 fuel tank remains as does the dashboard and metal glove boxes.
The front apron is original with the very early style catch for the latch.
The hood itself has been replaced but the 1947 inner structure and latch position
has been retained and put into the later hood.
The early cars had metal glove boxes, which are still here.
Hood hinges have been upgraded to the later design with springs.
Wiring of course has been modified a bit as needed over time.
The early steering wheel and column are here as well as the shifter.
Dash has been modified with some additional gauges and a newer speedometer.
Speedometer has been swapped out and fitted to the original gauge pod.
The switches with their early style fat knobs remain from 1947 although are non functional.
Auto Meter tachometer is fitted and functional
Ignition switch, headlight and wiper switches are mounted to the left of the dash.
Fuse box sits in the center of the under dash area.
Original fuel reserve lever is still here.
Later model foot rest fitted for the passenger.
Chassis is from a 67 model, but a few early details remain.
Shifter with early cog wheel logo is a pure early VW detail that I love seeing here.
While so many things have been changed from the original 1947 details,
the controls your hand touches remain original...steering wheel and shift knob especially.
The view out the original split rear windows has remain unchanged.
Doors remain the early ribbed design but are later models with vent wings.
Lots of past welding and patching over the years to keep it on the road.
Everything has been kept pretty solid, but it has had its rusty times and haphazard repairs.
Glove box
Coat hooks
Seats are done in black basketweave vinyl
Seats are from the 67 that the chassis came from.
Door seals look to be in good shape
A lot of miles and a lot of history has passed behind the wheel of this car!
Door hinge detail
Headlights... 12 volt electrics
Paint blister on the rear apron
The "money shot" for any VW collector
W decklid is from a newer model by the looks of it
and the louvers added years ago give it a distinctive look
Newer rear apron with exhaust cut outs.
Functional semaphore turn signals!
Some hinge repair evident
Car has 15" wheels all the way around.
Wheels are the wide 5 bolt pattern 1967 wheels with flat caps and trim rings
Good radials recently installed on all four corners.
67 turn signals added to the front
Some stickers in the windows from its past.
Mr Kennedy being a professor at the Univeristy of Kentucky
The history of the car displayed in the window
Step back and its presentable.
Bright and happy in yellow.
67 taillights and rear bumper.
At first glance you would probably never guess the year.
Same from the front!
Could be any year...and more closer to the point...its pretty much all of them!
Very good running 1600cc dual port engine out back.
The engine has a mild performance cam, so it really gets up and scoots.
Fuel pump
12 volt electrics with alternator
A big upgrade over the original 25 horsepower unit.
Plus the hydraulic brakes and full syncro transmission
This is a Split that you can actually drive on the roadways today and not hold up traffic.
Nice and dry underneath.
No crazy leaks, but its certainly all function and no fashion under here.
Lookins at the heater channels and lower body structure from below you can
see the welds and extensive patching.
Ball joint front end.
New steering box and other front end work done recently.
Some more repairs on the inner front body
New soft lines on the brakes.
I just love that after all these years the car has been kept maintained and operated.
Front apron rust and patching.
There are some crusty spots on the floor pans
Not horrible...and certainly the car has seen worse, but those spots are looking weak.
Another patched spot in the floor pan at the back on battery side.
Swing axle rear end, shocks look good, brakes are functional and show
signs of reasonably recent service.
Back outside its happy days again.
Its a neat old car
While its no show car, I do bet it would be the talk
of most any show you would bring it to.
The car is one thing but the history behind it is what really makes it special in my eyes.
Its a turn key reliable driver just as it is, which is awesome.
Mr Kennedy has kept it that way!
Ive asked Mr Kennedy to pose with the car in the same way as this picture
and I will definitely post that when I have it. Massive respect to him for
keeping this Beetle alive all of these years and it is a great honor to
help him find it a new home where that care taking can continue for generations to come.
Asking
$35,000 obo
For More Information...CALL
951 795-1175
Or Email oldbug@earthlink.net