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 out of South Dakota.
This Beetle has undergone cosmetic work completed by the previous owner, including bodywork and a red refinish, 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 was used with a ZDDP+ zinc additive. 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 (21)
Sold for $18,000
Bid in the amount of $18,000
Bid in the amount of $13,750
Bid in the amount of $13,500
Bid in the amount of $12,750
Bid in the amount of $10,750
Bid in the amount of $10,500
Bid in the amount of $9,250
Bid in the amount of $9,000
I will be online now watching the auction until the end if there are any questions, please ask. Thank You.
Good luck with your sale! This is very cool! Love this build and I'm not a VW guy by any standard.
Bid in the amount of $8,750
Hello. This Cal Look beetle is so much fun to drive and gets alot of attention whenever I drive it . Please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding the car. I am checking in here frequently.
Bid in the amount of $8,500
The market always decides the real value. I've sold a few cars on here and I always just let them go near the end. It's not gonna get any better. LoL
@Chipper Easy to say when you are not the seller…
Bid in the amount of $8,000
Hopefully a more reasonable reserve this time or better yet relists should be no reserve.
@Lottacars Hello, here is a link to the previous listing: https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/1969-volkswagen-beetle-2017cc/
If it was offered for sale and did not sell previously, why not provide the link to that auction so bidders can read answers to questions and not have to ask them again?