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2009 Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic Auction
Lot
16

1957 Volkswagen Beetle 'Oval Window' Coupe

$5,000

melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine Flat 4-cylinder, 1500cc
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Body Work Two-door sedan
Colour Blue
Interior Light blue
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Alloy
Brakes Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

The Volkswagen Beetle has proved the most successful automobile of all time, with more than twenty million units produced, and with good reason - the car was cheap to produce, virtually unbreakable, full of character and has certainly fulfilled the original brief of 'the people's car' thanks to Dr. Ferdinand Porsche's foresight.

The Beetle was an extraordinary car and has become a cult object today, particularly the earliest examples whose superior build quality and period detailing have become sought after by collectors today. Volkswagen experts will tell you that cars built up to 1956 are particularly sought after for their styling (notably the oval rear window) and the improved engine, brakes and gearbox. The horizontally opposed 'boxer' motor was heavily reworked in 1953, with displacement rising to1192cc while power was lifted to 30bhp.

The supply of oval window Beetles as always been limited and today examples are few and far between but command a premium over those built in the sixties and seventies. Any Beetle is an ideal classic car reliable, cheap to maintain and with a plentiful supply of parts, not to mention specialists, to keep the car on the road.