This 1969 Volkswagen Beetle has undergone extensive cosmetic and mechanical upgrades since 2018, including a red refinish, color-matched Empi wheels, reupholstered tan interior, and various other modifications. The vehicle, purchased from California with a stock engine after a previous owner's refurbishment, was acquired by the seller who is a retired ASE and BMW Master Technician and former Registered VW Technician from the 70s and early 80s. After a thorough cleaning and meticulous pre-assembly, the seller carefully assembled a high-performance 2017cc air-cooled flat-four engine using all new parts. The engine, based on kit 1182 from CB Performance, included all necessary machining and balancing, with further upgrades and modifications made to the kit. The four-speed gearbox is a single-side cover version sourced from a later model Beetle. Key components include a CB Super AS41 Magnesium engine case, a 78.4mm forged counterweighted crankshaft, 137mm H-beam racing connecting rods, and 90.5mm Mahle forged pistons. Additional equipment comprises a lightened Chromoly flywheel, a 200mm Kennedy stage 1 pressure plate, a Schadek 30mm oil pump with a full-flow oil filter, dual Weber 44mm IDF carburetors, AA Performance port-matched manifolds, and a 1.5” A-1 Sidewinder exhaust. This modified Beetle is now being offered for auction from South Dakota.
This Beetle has undergone cosmetic work completed by the previous owner including bodywork and a refinish in red, along with the fitment of new running boards, fender beading, and body seals. The current seller has added German Hella H4 headlamps and European-spec taillight lenses. The stance has been modified with a 2" narrowed adjustable front axle beam, allowing for a lower ride height and wider wheel offset. It rides on color-matched eight-spoke alloy wheels with polished lips and Nankang Cross Sport SP-9 tires, measuring 175/65 up front and 195/65 at the rear. A matching spare wheel with a 175/65 tire is included. The seller notes a few minor dings, with detailed images provided in the gallery.
The previous owner fitted front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in tan upholstery. It includes a replacement dashboard pad, door panels, new carpets, a perforated headliner, and a lockable glove box. The Beetle also has a three-spoke steering wheel and a factory-correct replacement 90-mph VDO speedometer. The seller has added new three-point front seatbelts and additional gauges, including oil temperature, oil pressure, voltmeter, tachometer, and a clock. The seller notes that the windshield washers and brake warning light are currently inoperable, the turn signals do not self-cancel, and there is a small tear in the passenger seat cover. The seller highlights that the heater and fresh air vents are fully functional.
The seller installed a high-performance air-cooled flat-four engine utilizing a CB Super AS41 Magnesium engine case, achieving a 2017cc displacement with Mahle 90.5mm pistons and cylinders. The engine underwent thorough cleaning and pre-assembly, including measurements of piston deck height and combustion chamber volume, camshaft timing, and rocker arm geometry adjustments. Assembled with all new parts, this high-performance engine is based on the CB Performance kit 1182, which includes necessary machining and balancing. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox featuring a single side cover version sourced from a later model Beetle, rebuilt by Porter’s Precision of El Dorado Hills, California, as part of the prior refurbishment. It is equipped with stock first to third gears and a “freeway flier” fourth gear with a 0.89:1 gear ratio. The final drive ratio is 4.12:1. An Empi trigger gear shifter has also been installed. Other equipment includes 2.5″ drop spindles, Empi front disc brakes, wheel bearings, and KYB front shocks. The seller adds that the stock rear drum brakes are retained. The steering box, tie rods, and ball joints have all been recently replaced. The rear torsion bars have been set for a lower ride height, along with coil-over shock absorbers that allow for minor ride height adjustments. The final assembly utilized all new components and hardware, as listed below:
The seller also reports that, after running the engine for approximately 30 minutes, the oil and filter were changed and the valves were adjusted. After about 300 miles, the valves were rechecked and found to require no further adjustment. Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 motor oil, with a ZDDP+ zinc additive, was used. Additionally, an oil & filter change and valve adjustment were performed after approximately 600 miles.
This sale will include a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: "Thank you for visiting my auction. I am a retired VW and BMW Master ASE certified automotive technician and was also a BMW technical trainer for 22 years. I purchased this car as a fun retirement project and am now selling it so I can begin the next project car. I have been a VW enthusiast for decades and have owned many VW's. Care and attention to detail were present during the project."
Comments (30)
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $14,250
Bid in the amount of $14,000
Bid in the amount of $12,250
Bid in the amount of $12,000
Bid in the amount of $10,250
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $9,500
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Bid in the amount of $8,500
Bid in the amount of $8,000
Bid in the amount of $6,000
@Dasael . I don't know.
Beautiful Beetle, What would say it is its top speed?
Bid in the amount of $5,750
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $5,250
@Amasdaha . Hello and thank you for the questions. Many high performance VW engines often have the heat exchangers removed. I wanted to retain the heater function so I went to the extra expense and purchased high performance heater boxes that are built with 39mm ID exhaust header pipes inside. The larger tubing allows for improved exhaust flow needed for a high performance engine, and the heater remains operational. The heater works very well. The car is not equipped with air conditioning. The air filters are from AA Performance and are similar to a K&N filter.
Looks very nice. 3 questions for now, what kind of heater set up does it have (and how well does it work), does it have any AC, and what type of air filter is set up on top of the Webers?
@Lottacars . Correct. Not fuel injected. The engine is equipped with dual Weber 44 IDF Carburetors.
So not fuel injected correct?
Sorry, Just saw them! Thanks!
Any videos available? Nice Beetle
@wolfbmw thx
The listing for this vehicle has been updated
@Lottacars . Thanks for getting the bidding started. Most of the errors have been corrected and I expect the listing will be correct very soon. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Thank You.
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Can you note where are the errors in the listing ?
IMPORTANT NOTE! to PCar Market and bidders. This posting has many errors and it went live before I approved it.