1953 VW Beetle Sedan For Sale
In October of 1952 there were changes being made to the beloved Beetle.
The war was over, the Beetle was in full production and demand was strong.
The original 1938 design however was looking a little dated and VW decided to make some
improvements to help the car shine in the sea of other cars on the market.
During the period between October of 52 and March of 53, the Beetles that rolled off the assembly line
carried an interesting blend of the new and old design elements. It was a short period of time
that these "zwitter" models were produced and as a result there are pretty small number of them remaining in the world today.
The zwitter represents the last of the split rear window design, and the first for many of the attributes that
were to become a big part of the "Oval era" up to 1957.
The most obvious exterior details are the 15" wheels and the "newer" fatter bumpers.
There are several other details though that don't jump out at first.
The taillights changed to the "heart" design with the heart shaped brake light lens in the housing.
The license plate light shape changed from the earlier "Popes Nose" of the split to a shape that would carry on
in similar form all the way to 1963. Body trim design changed as well to a slightly fatter and smoother profile
that would remain in use all the way to 1966.
After the final "zwitter" rolled off the line, the split rear window went to the Oval and as time progressed grew in size
along with the production numbers of our beloved Beetle
This Southern California based example is a good running and driving car
that had a decent amateur restoration done a number of years ago.
It shows well and garners a lot of positive response out on the road and at the shows.
A split rear window carries a lot of "street cred" in the VW scene...you roll up in a Split...and people take notice.
With that being said, when the "purist" looks deeply at this car they will find some inconsistencies
There are quite a few of the finer details that this car lacks and it is not 100% show level by any means.
As an example in this shot is the final finish of the paint. It is glossy, but not a color sanded and buffed mirror finish.
Under the front hood there is the original jack and lug wrench that have been cleanly painted.
The car has the correct small neck flat fuel tank which is a tough part to find if you are looking.
The speedometer is the correct "zwitter only" unit.
Behind the spare tire the sheet metal is wrinkled from a collision long ago.
The round access plates are coated with some sort of heavy tar that makes them look bumpy
and the whole trunk was sprayed with a texture coating, when originally the surface would have been smooth.
The texture coat of course is a minor detail, the wrinkled sheet metal is a bigger issue.
It is really only noticeable when the spare tire is out of the well, but for the finicky collector
this would be something that could be redone to improve on the quality of the car.
The front apron was replaced when the damage was first repaired. From the outside with the hood closed
it all looks nice and clean.
When the spare is in place it all looks nice and tidy.
A top quality restoration would have handled that repair differently, but for the vast majority of the
world, nobody will ever see it or think it matters.
The front hood was replaced as well and it is a very nice smooth and straight example.
Originally the early hoods had three bolts at each side where the hinges mount, this one only has two
The hood also shows signs of the raised bump where a later model hood emblem would be fit...has been worked flat so that
the correct "four tab" emblem could be put in place.
The wiring and back side of the dash all looks pretty tidy.
I have always liked that tiny fuel filler on these models.
Seems so small in comparison to the HUGE ones that the earlier Split cars have.
Clean
There is a slight gap to the hood when closed
Here underneath you can see signs of the front end damage as well.
The front fenders were replaced and they are in nice straight shape
but underneath the scars remain. It does look like a fairly light hit though"and I see no signs of any structural damage
and it certainly never got the the point of damaging the frame or suspension.
Looks like a little rust patching done in the fenderwell just behind the drivers side front wheel
Front axle and the chassis look great
Passenger side is a tiny bit wrinkled as well, but far better than the drivers side.
Passenger side front wheel well looks very solid.
Heater channels and floor pans look great!
Very solid looking under here
Nice
Rear fenders also look to be later replacement as they lack the little pressed in reinforcements to the bolting surfaces.
Details like this are beyond most collectors it seems, but for the small percentage that really go deep into authenticity
things like this will affect the value and desirability of the car. Certainly the correct parts are out there and can be chased
but they are not easy to find. The scarcity of the early parts are why a lot of these cars are restored with later parts.
Its not a horrible thing by any means, but it explains a lot why this car is priced where it is compared
to one that is done down to every little detail.
Looks very solid here
Nice!
The shiny bolts here are for modern seat belt mounting.
Drivers side rear inner fender looks great.
Nice and solid and straight.
Solid!
Split case transmission is correct for the era.
Looks pretty clean and dry under here.
Shocks look recent as do the brake lines and cables.
A tiny bit of oil seepage at the valve cover here, but no serious leaks.
The drivers door looks to have some minor bubbling just starting up under the surface on this back corner.
Door fit could be improved with a little hinge adjustment...seems "out" just a hair at the bottom corners on each side.
Running board and hinge detail.
Looks pretty clean in here.
Mohair headliner is just starting to discolor with age a little and there are a couple spots on the outer edges.
The zwitter model was the first to have the single clove box and center mounted speaker grille that is normally associated with
the Oval window cars. Minor differences are present though such as the ashtray that is smooth with no handle or chrome ring on the outside.
Interior is done in correct original style materials.
Handbrake and heater knob location are all proper for the model.
Carpet is the nice square weave stuff.
Minor signs of age wear on the carpet and mats but overall it is all quite clean and well done.
Looks pretty sweet
Early "bat wing" steering wheel shows some minor cracking.
Correct grooved handles
Drivers side lower door hinge
Glove box is cracked internally a bit.
(simple replacement item)
Bud vase is a nice touch.
Auxiliary fuel gauge is a period accessory, but it is not currently working.
Speedometer is the correct "zwitter only" unit with the separate arrows for the turn signal lights.
Mirror and visors
Correct original assist straps and hooks.
Dome light unit is slightly newer...for the Zwitter the design would be the same, but without the switch.
(very hard to find item)
Correct luggage rails on the carpet behind the seat.
Semaphores are functional (passenger side is a little slow)
I love this shot...semaphore up and the split rear window in the background!
The vent wings on the front doors was a new upgrade introduced for the zwitter model.
These same bumpers (in Euro form with the short guards)
started with the zwitter and remained in production until 1967!
Us spec headlights were fitted at some point.
A handsome looking car though despite the little details.
This is a great car for someone that wants a clean split at a reasonable price.
With perfect restored earlier models stretching closer towards the 100k mark
with ever passing season, the days of finding a split of any sort for under 50k are numbered.
This one at under 30k is down in the territory of what we have seen people asking for complete basket case restoration projects!
Clean title and current tags
Beautiful!
Under the engine lid
Large spring
Round regulator
Correct 383 flat cap distributor
Engine number lines up well with the chassis number and while there is no birth certificate
from VW with the car, everything points to this being the correct numbers matching engine for the car.
This is a massive bonus the car has going for it.
Rear apron has had a little bodywork done.
Single tip exhaust is correct.
Oh the galloping thunder of 25 horses!
That's right... twenty five whole horsepower on this monster!
The Heart taillights are super cool.
These were only used in the US for 53 and 54.
In 55 we got the "Egg" taillight while Europe did not.
The "snowflake" light that was slightly larger came in in 1956 to 1961.
The split window though ended with this model.
15" wheels were new for the zwitter...prior splits had the 16" wheels.
In closing this is a nice old car.
Its not perfect, but it shows well and is a delightful driver.
Priced very reasonably for a timely sale!
SOLD!
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951 767 1600
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