The paradox of the Volkswagen Beetle is that it changed every year but always mainly looked the same. The changes were careful and evolutionary. In the Beetle collectors’ world, those differences matter a lot. With their oval windows and other charming period touches, the early cars are the most prized. For example, check out this highly collectible 1957 Beetle with an oval window and a roll-back cloth sunroof.
The ’57 Beetle is not wholly stock, but was tastefully upgraded as part of an extensive restoration. Located in Miami, it has a Buy-It-Now price of $36,900.
Performance in a ’57 Bug?
The original Beetle was—there’s no getting away from this—slow. The 1,600-pound car sold for $1,580 with a sunroof, and the built-to-a-budget specs included a 1,192-cc four-cylinder engine that produced 36 horsepower and 56 pound-feet of torque.
This 1957 Beetle has been upgraded to a twin-port 1600cc engine (from 1971 or later) with a mighty 60 hp. Front disc brakes from a later car help whoa the new go.
The average household income in 1957 was $4,550, and a gallon of gas cost 24 cents. It was a slower time, so people didn’t mind taking their time. Economy cars were popular, and that’s reflected in the 380,500 sales of the Bug for ’57. These days, modern traffic demands modern freeway speeds, so the big engine makes this Bug much more useable.
What Makes An Oval-Window ’57 Beetle Special?
Let’s count the ways.
- The ’57 model has the larger taillights introduced in 1955 and conventional flashing turn signals.
- The iconic twin chrome tailpipes were in place since 1956.
- More effective bumper guards and tubular overriders were also added in ’56.
- 1957 was the last year for the oval rear window since a larger piece of glass was added a year later.
The seller says:
This car has always been garage kept and well-taken-care-of. Everything was properly restored and looks amazing.
This 1957 bug’s body panels are very straight, as are the floor pans. All the exterior chrome was replaced, as was the interior trim, bumperettes, and latches. The interior is resplendent in new red vinyl with white piping. It looks very close to the original appointments.
The billet chrome wheels resemble the Fuchs alloys used on countless Porsches. That’s a far cry from the steel-wheel, chrome-hubcap originals, but nicely setting off the shiny black paint.
A Great First Classic
This Beetle isn’t a hot rod, nor is it a perfect period piece. It’s just a classic update for more modern usability. The new owner should be able to take it on the highway without fear.
If anything breaks, the VW Beetle is one of the most parts-supported vehicles on earth. So the owner can choose between a sympathetic upgrade or keepin’ it classic.
