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| © Provided by Car and Driver Kept in storage since 1964, this could be the most original Beetle in the world. |
By Daniel Golson, Car and Driver
The Volkswagen Beetle, seen in a certain light, could be called the most important and iconic car of all time. With over 21 million Beetles produced from 1938 to 2003, it's also the second-best-selling car of all time, behind the Toyota Corolla and ahead of the Ford Model T. It's rare to see a Beetle in perfect shape or one with extremely low miles, and it's even more rare to see one that is both. Currently listed on Hemmings, this 1964 Beetle amazingly has been driven only 23 miles since new and is in nearly perfect condition. What's the price, you ask? One million dollars.
According to the seller, this Beetle was purchased new in Beaverton, Oregon, in 1964 as a backup for the owner's 1957 Beetle. Apparently, he never needed it, as it was promptly put into storage and never licensed, insured, or driven, and was only moved once: after two years of keeping the Beetle in a friend's storage unit, the owner constructed his own building and moved it there, where it sat from 1966 to 2016. The 23rd mile on the odometer rolled over as the Beetle was pulled out of storage, and the original battery has never even been activated.
The Volkswagen Beetle, seen in a certain light, could be called the most important and iconic car of all time. With over 21 million Beetles produced from 1938 to 2003, it's also the second-best-selling car of all time, behind the Toyota Corolla and ahead of the Ford Model T. It's rare to see a Beetle in perfect shape or one with extremely low miles, and it's even more rare to see one that is both. Currently listed on Hemmings, this 1964 Beetle amazingly has been driven only 23 miles since new and is in nearly perfect condition. What's the price, you ask? One million dollars.
According to the seller, this Beetle was purchased new in Beaverton, Oregon, in 1964 as a backup for the owner's 1957 Beetle. Apparently, he never needed it, as it was promptly put into storage and never licensed, insured, or driven, and was only moved once: after two years of keeping the Beetle in a friend's storage unit, the owner constructed his own building and moved it there, where it sat from 1966 to 2016. The 23rd mile on the odometer rolled over as the Beetle was pulled out of storage, and the original battery has never even been activated.
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| © Spencer Burback - Car and Driver 1964 Volkswagen Beetle |
Finished in black with a red-and-white interior, the Beetle looks as if it has just rolled off the showroom floor. The window sticker is still attached, and the windshield wipers and hubcaps have never been fitted and are still in their boxes. Having always been stored inside under a sheet, it had until now never seen sunlight, according to the seller.
After the original owner died in 2014, his collection was passed on to his nephew, who is the person now selling the Beetle. He says the car was returned to running condition after coming out of storage without anything being done to affect its originality.
This time-capsule car could be the most original Beetle in the world, something that the ad emphasizes. But if one million dollars is a bit steep for you, can we interest you in this 60,000-mile 1964 Beetle that's listed on eBay for a mere $5500?
After the original owner died in 2014, his collection was passed on to his nephew, who is the person now selling the Beetle. He says the car was returned to running condition after coming out of storage without anything being done to affect its originality.
This time-capsule car could be the most original Beetle in the world, something that the ad emphasizes. But if one million dollars is a bit steep for you, can we interest you in this 60,000-mile 1964 Beetle that's listed on eBay for a mere $5500?
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| © Spencer Burback - Car and Driver 1964 Volkswagen Beetle |
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