The DeRosa family acquired her in 2006 from its second owner.  The Beetle had benefitted from a prior repaint and most likely some interior and convertible top replacement.  With such low mileage and limited documentation, we are not certain what is original and which elements have been professionally replaced.  Overall, she is in very nice condition and reflects its ultra-low mileage of 39,151 from new.

She was repainted in the original and correct factory color, River Blue Metallic (Paint Code LK6V).  The paint has excellent shine and luster and is in touring condition today.  There are several small scratches on three of the fenders and on the driver’s door. They’re only noticeable upon close inspection.  The black convertible soft top and liner are not original and are in excellent condition. The chrome is original and shows very well.

The Black Vinyl interior is in nearly showroom condition. The black carpet and rubber mats also show very well and are in excellent condition.  The dashboard and faux wood grained dash are in excellent condition and appear almost as new.  It still shows its Craig cassette AM/FM stereo.  The soft top liner is white in color and in very nice condition.  The overall interior is in excellent condition reflecting the care and love it has received.

The 1979 Volkswagen Convertible comes standard with a 1.6 L 4-cylinder engine. She produces 48 BHP at 4,200 RPM.  The power is transmitted through its four-speed manual transmission which shifts very smoothly. The engine compartment is nicely detailed and originally correct.  Importantly, the undercarriage and belly pan all appear very clean, rust-free and in very nice visual condition.  This is very important for these Volkswagens and again reflect its dry California life with limited miles.

For more information and details, please call, text or email Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or sales@classicpromenade.com. This Beetle is available for inspection at our Phoenix showroom.

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HISTORY OF THIS BUG
Our client, Verne Parker, bought this Beetle in 1979 in Long Beach, California from a woman who was its original owner. Verne enjoyed it as he attended California State University, Long Beach (also my alma mater). It was originally yellow with black interior and convertible top. In 1983, he repainted the Beetle in its present livery, Poppy Red with new white interior and convertible top. By 1985, Verne stopped using it regularly and it had accumulated about 70,000 miles. Both he and his wife received their law degrees from Georgetown University and left the beetle in California. And by 1997 they moved from California to Arizona, where they and the car reside today.

In 1999, Verne’s wife, Lisa, restored the car for his 40th birthday. The Poppy Red was repainted and significant work was performed. It now has 81,000 miles and is ready for its next owner.

PRESENT CONDITION
The photos show that this is a low mileage and rust free example. The body overall is very straight with the drivers rear fender showing a couple of minor dents. But the original body is overall in excellent condition for a repaint. The interior shows some signs of shrinking in certain areas and we have made no attempts to improve it. The interior and convertible top have both been dyed at some point. This beetle is an excellent candidate for an easy restoration, or with some inspection and maintenance, as a driving classic. We are pleased to provide any additional information you may desire. Call Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com.

HISTORY OF THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
The Beetle, officially known as the Volkswagen Type 1, was originally constructed to be the German transportation for the masses much in the same way that Ford’s Model T was for America in the early 20th century. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the “Volks-wagen” or “people’s car” had to meet four requirements laid out by the German Government; it had to be fuel efficient, carry two adults and two children comfortably, be capable of 60mph and feature an air-cooled rear engine. Eventually the sales trend of the imported Volkswagens caught the eye of American automakers and resulted in the “Big Three” producing their own compact cars. This would do little to change that fact that the American Public was smitten with the “Bug.” Today the Volkswagen Beetle is a cultural icon and examples are still enjoyed by collectors and enthusiasts across the globe.

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Is there anything more iconic than a VW microbus? With the enormous canvas sliding sunroof, jail house bars, safari windows, these are just the coolest. This example has been upgraded to a much better performing 1600 dual port engine for more power and practicality. This is also relatively dripping with chrome and stainless. Everything from many of the window frames, bumpers, the VW logo on the front. It has all the right details to make it look much better than a stock microbus. This restoration was focused on making this a delightful cruiser rather than a trailer queen!

We love the VW paint colors of Mouse Gray and Lotus White two-tone with the maroon trim throughout. It looks elegant and sporty at the same time. Especially with the chrome! The interior was done in authentic Mercedes tan striped broadcloth with European carpeting. These materials are far better than original, but look fantastic and are of a correct vintage!

Anyone who is anyone knows that in the world of vintage Volkswagen buses, it’s all about the windows – and the more the merrier. Five per side, eight skylights, the desirable split-screen windshield, a giant rear windshield, plus what may be the coolest pair of curved rear corner windows, and one has the “23-Window” – more glass than metal! Called the “Samba” or “Alpine” in Europe, it was the addition of the skylights, plus the canvas sunroof that exposed an expansive 2/3 of the roof to the open air that made the Microbus perfect for camping out wherever one might happen to find themselves.

This has a few small issues yet to be sorted, such as the two front doors have hinges that sag a bit and the rear lid also is being repair for its hinges (we’ll take care of this). Mainly, this microbus just needs to be cruised in and enjoyed!!

For more details please contact Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com.

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Being a Florida and California car it has almost no rust, just a very small section near the drivers door.  We even tested it fill the Filler Detective to ensure it didn’t have any surprises.  The belly pan is in excellent condition.  The glass is very good and the chrome and stainless trim are in very good condition except for the door vent window frames could be improved.

The tan interior appears to have been totally replaced in the last few years and is in good condition.  There is one small hole the size of a dime in the drivers seat back.  There are four VW seat belts installed in the car as well.  Although the drivetrain is fully rebuilt, we do not know the detailed history of this car and therefore do not know the exact total mileage.

The NADA value guide shows the high retail value at $16,600.  We are offering this motorcar at a huge savings.  See details online at: http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1961/Volkswagen/Beetle/2-Door-Sedan-Sunroof/Values

To research financing alternatives and to learn more about buying collector cars, please visit our website at http://www.classicpromenade.com/resources/.

Please feel free to call us regarding this Beetle Ragtop.  Call Harry at 602.245.7200 or email at sales@classicpromenade.com

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We are pleased to offer our first Volkswagen Beetle having just 125 miles since a full restoration.  This is a fully restored 1954 Oval Window two owner Southern California car.  The first owner used the car in Malibu and throughout Southern California.  In about 1963, Jack West, his close friend, continued commenting on how nice his Beetle was and was finally offered to buy it.  So buy it he did!  At that time it had accumulated about 45,000 miles.

Jack liked the car but frankly didn’t need it.  So he stored it as a car that someday he would restore and enjoy.  Forty years later he did!!  In 2004 Jack had the car completely restored by specialty craftsmen throughout Orange County, California.  He always liked the 1930’s Cord color of Cigarette Cream and painted the Beetle in this color, complemented with red interior.  This is one cute Beetle!!

The mechanicals were completely rebuilt by the very best engineers Jack could find.  The Beetle has benefited from radial tires and a vintage Porsche 12 Volt alternator.  The original AM radio has been completely restored and converted to 12 volts as well.

The car has worn the California “Blake Plate” JPF 667 for all of it’s life except the last few years.   Shortly after the car was restored, Jack and his wife moved to Maine.  He had the car shipped to Maine and covered it and placed it in a car capsule.  He would take the car out of the capsule to start it and service it, having accumulated 125 miles over the past six years.  There are no leaks and the car will be fully recommissioned and serviced prior to sale.

By 1954 the Beetles benefited from the increase in engine size to 1,200 cc, which supplied a full 36 hp.  This was a drastic improvement over the older 25 hp predecessor.  Also added was a starter integrated with the ignition key rather than a separate button.

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