Vehicle Details
- Year: 1965
- Make: Volkswagen
- Model: Beetle
- VIN: 115364569
- Mileage Shown: 96mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Color: Black
- Title Status: Clean
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Glenview, IL 60026
- Lot #: V-0029889
The Volkswagen Beetle has served as a favorite platform for customizers, tuners, and hot rodders for decades, thanks to its platform's flexibility and reliability. This 1965 example was acquired by the seller's father in 2001 as a 1965 body over a 1974 pan, and comes finished in black over a Tan vinyl and Oatmeal tweed interior. The car underwent a full body-off restoration completed in 2012 and features a ported and polished 1600cc air-cooled flat-four-cylinder engine paired with a manual transaxle, KYB dampers, a reupholstered interior with mahogany details, 15” American Eagle wheels, and much more. It is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Illinois.
This Beetle was refinished in single-stage Glasurit Black during its restoration. The seller notes that the finish remains in excellent condition aside from very minor imperfections on the trunk lid and the driver’s side C-pillar, and the original finish is said to have been Kansas Beige. Details include backdated fenders with 1963 style signals, 1958 Style Deluxe hood script, T-bar bumpers, and a set of Pewter Grey Metallic powder coated 15” American Eagle 8-spoke with polished lips. The wheels come dressed in a set of Riken Raptor tires. The seller has provided a collection of detailed photos which can be found in the gallery.
The cabin features front seats sourced from a 1979 Super Beetle Convertible which are upholstered in two-tone Tan vinyl and Oatmeal tweed. The floors are lined with tan carpeting and the headliner and upholstery were sourced from Sewfine. The door panels and rear parcel/speaker shelf were hand finished in mahogany by the seller's father. Details include a rebuilt speedometer, a custom 4-speaker sound system with a modern radio in a custom fabricated enclosure mounted within the glovebox, and Moon Eyes Bare Foot pedal covers. The seller notes that the carpets have not been permanently glued so that the new owner has the option to install sound deading, and all gauges, electronics, and accessories remain functional.
Power comes from a ported and polished 1600cc air-cooled flat-four-cylinder engine. The engine was rebuilt with new old stock German Volkswagen internals from Connie Holcomb of Connie's VW’s of Wisconsin and features a Volkzbits German Solex carburetor, a 034 SVDA distributor, and Pertronix electronic ignition. The rear wheels are driven by way of a fully rebuilt 4-speed transaxle from German Transaxle of America. Other performance features include independent rear suspension, front ball joint front suspension, KYB dampers, front disc brakes, and a lowered ride height. The seller notes that following the engine's refresh approximately 1,000 break-in miles were driven before the odometer was set to zero. A recent service is said to have included a tune-up, new inner and outer tie rod ends, new sway bar bushings and brackets, a valve adjustment, and an oil and filter service
This sale will include a clean title and a car cover.
The seller would like you to know: "This car sparked my career as a classic Aircooled Volkswagen and Porsche restoration specialist. Although I was young when it was restored and I did not personally perform the entire restoration, many of the elements of this car reflect mine and my father’s (the owner) work, our love of Aircooled’s, our attention to detail and design, and the pure fun that a beetle can be. The sale will help my father and mother with their retirement. This isn’t just any Beetle, this car is unique and we hope the next home will take pride and enjoyment of it as we have!"
Auction Results
- Sold for: $18,000
- Auction End: Jul 21, 2023 07:30:00PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 3
Comments (27)
Sold for $18,000
Bid in the amount of $18,000
I learned to drive on a 70's Beetle. Someone is going to have fun with this one! GLWTA
@356Works appreciated.
@Lottacars I thought that’s what you meant just wanted to be sure because “drifting” can have different automotive meanings.
I typically call that “tracking”. This car tracks very well at speed. Because it’s modified (lowered) in the front it tends to follow the crown of the road a bit especially on steeply crowned roads. The tire size is not narrow in the front this typically makes for excellent tracking, or very little drift at speed, if you will.
Thank you for elaborating so I could answer you best, Cheers!
@356Works or….does it drive in a straight line? Many older cars might drift left to right and back at speeds. Sorry can’t make it much clearer.
As a note to all: Included in the recent service the master cylinder was replaced and the brake system bled. The photos containing the master cylinder show rubber hose and the old unit. I do not have updated photos of that area post this service but there is now OEM German Cloth exterior brake hose leading from reservoir to the master cylinder. And the master itself is shiny and new.
The reason for the master cylinder replacement was simply out of an abundance of caution prior to auction and new ownership as the car was stored more than driven in recent years.
@356Works ok great. Always looking for vendors who know my car. I’ve bookmarked your shop and am glad it’s not in the west coast like it seems most are. Very cool vdub and good luck with the auction
@Lottacars can you clarify what do you mean by “drift when at speed”? With respect to handling?
Any drift when at speed?
Bid in the amount of $10,000
@PBradz Thank you for the nod! Yes, it is 12v converted fully. Except the windshield Wipers. Those are not operational at current and the car has seen rainy days since restoration.
Bid in the amount of $500
Gorgeous 🤩 bug! 🐞
The mahogany is a nice touch.
Assuming 12v and not 6v.
GLWTA! 🙏🏻😎
@Yogimaster The title is 1965 to the body VIN. The pan has been documented as an “Auto Part” and cannot be titled or claimed separately of the body in the eyes of all US states.
What is the title on this car? 65 or 74?
@Yogimaster there is no factory or aftermarket AC in this car. Aftermarket kits at current tend to be cumbersome and unsightly. The vent wing windows at 40mph + have long been the savior of the classic VW enthusiast on warmer days.
Heat is currently disconnected but could be easily hooked up. As this car did not see winter or cold weather days. It has heater boxes, but doesn’t currently have the connecting tubes installed to the body’s heater channels. The control cables are also not connected at present.
@Yogimaster Great question. It’s a fairly typical look for an unloaded beetle that has a slightly lowered front ride height. The IRS suspension in the rear with the 215/65R15 tires tends to look more exaggerated because of the meaty rubber. The suspension is modified from stock as it’s lowered about 2” in the front the rear is close to stock height but has been set to get the rear wheels as squared to the pavement as possible with driver weight
@Yogimaster Videos have been submitted to Pcarmarket I do not know why they are not live with the auction at current. Hopefully they will be posted soon
The four wheels looked like they have quite a bit of camber or is it just suspension sagging in the middle? Can’t quite tell from the pictures. Also, is there AC/heat? Very nice looking car.
Could we get a cold start and driving video? Thanks
Beautiful Bug with a heartwarming history. I wish you well in the auction
@356Works It reminds me of my '64 beetle. I was 17 years old, it was 9. It had 100K miles on it, but for $125 it was mine. Out in the trash went the door panels, the rear seat, the carpeting, in went paneling for the door panels, I made a shelf to cover the the battery area and make it nice in the back. Brown shag carpeting to offset the knotty pine paneling on the doors. 4 speaker stereo, interior metal all flat black paint, and the exterior resprayed Ginger Bronze Metallic. I had a headphone jack in the dash board and a switch to go from Speakers to headphones. An 8 track tape player, and a storage console. I replaced the shifter with a t-handle shifter, don't remember the brand but I do remember it had NO REVERSE LOCK OUT. Fortunately I knew that and how not to hit reverse, unfortunately, my friend driving it did not! LOL. Those were the days.
@68912Porsche It’s very real life hot wheels. Yes, this car sparked the start of everything when I was a teenager and my father began his customization of it. I own and run BeAircooled.com. I have a 67 912 that’s a shop project. I love a good 912.
@155MPH Thanks for the nod! It’s a heck of a car
I like it!
Very nice. Reminds me of a hot wheels I had as a kid.
I have a 68 912 that could use some spiffing up, do you have a shop?