Frame Up Built Type I Beetle 1600 cc I4 4 Speed DVD

Is there any car that's more recognizable than Volkswagen's Type 1 Beetle? It single-handedly built a 58 year legacy out of honest, no frills transportation; and today, it continues to be one of the most endearing shapes on the planet. That's because there simply isn't any platform with a better combination of vintage style, cool engineering and big-time affordability than a vintage VeeDub. And from a collector's standpoint, they're plentiful, fun, easy to live with toys which enjoy a cult-like following and a positively gigantic support system. This rare '57 oval window coupe, the product of a frame-up build which included a fair amount of custom work, is the perfect classic for a budget-minded collector or anyone who just wants an awesome weekend warrior! If you're looking for one of the best and most unique rides your money can buy, welcome to the 'people's car'!

Sporting a super slick coat of gloss black paint, this fully-sorted and completely road ready Beetle recently benefitted from a high quality frame-up build which likely doubled what we're asking for the car itself. And while its body isn't concours perfect, it is very straight and carries a spectacular shine that will look excellent motoring down the road to either a VW show or your favorite local hang-out. The restorers began by stripping the car's solid California body down to its bare metal and smoothing and prepping each of its panels. Once those panels were completely flat, and aligned to better than factory standards, they were evenly coated in a high quality, two-stage urethane and buffed to a mirror-like shine. The end result is a very clean, well-aligned bug with a top notch finish and outstanding appearance that will provide years of worry-free fun!

Being that the Beetle is one of the most popular and longest running brands of all time, you only need a few contacts and a little bit of luck to find almost any replacement part it might need; and accordingly, this bug's body features a ton of new trim and factory fresh bolt-ons. At the front of the car a familiar Beetle nose hangs a classic curved bonnet, which is complete with a traditional chrome handle, over a fresh chrome bumper. At the sides of that bonnet, sealed beam headlights, which are flanked by small bullet-style turn signals, frame amber driving lamps and pristine chrome horn grilles. Above those headlights, two elegant mirrors and two correct door handles flank dark-tinted glass and an old school retractable top. Below those mirrors, traditional bear claw hinges combine with factory black running boards to remind us of this restored Type 1's true age. And at the back of the car, a sculpted decklid hangs a second chrome handle between painted tail lights, a small oval backlight, a second chrome bumper and straight stainless exhaust tips.

Powering this sinister '57 Beetle is a beefy 1600cc air cooled 'pancake' four cylinder which mixes just the right amount of aesthetic bling with roughly 50 horsepower. Based on sound and appearance, the peppy engine has been completely rebuilt sometime in the not too distance past; and it runs beautifully, creating that famous and distinctive VW gait which has become synonymous with all boxer engines. At the sides of the pint-size block, two reusable filter elements, which are cased in two ball-milled air cleaners, funnel wind into two coated 1-barrel carburetors that are threaded to a polished cross-brace. Between those carburetors, a Bosch coil supplies a traditional points distributor that's equipped with fresh silicone plug wires. To the right of that distributor, a chrome generator spins a fresh V-belt in front of a polished oil filler tube that's fitted with a polished oil cap. And to the left of that V-belt, a small Auto Meter Phantom oil pressure gauge keeps a close eye on the boxer's vitals. Like the rest of the car, the engine bay is clean, road ready and nice enough to set up at any show. And with its high quality components, fresh gaskets and low maintenance design, it'll likely putter along forever!

Take a look under this solid VeeDub and you'll find a straight, fully-sorted chassis that's seen plenty of dry roads and years of impeccable maintenance. The car's torsion bar front and independent rear suspensions have been completely rebuilt at some point, and feature both pliable bushings and fresh shocks. At the ends of those suspensions, manual front disc and rear drum brakes are all it takes to bring this welterweight bug to a standstill stop. At the back of the car, power flows from the flat-four engine into a rugged 4-speed manual transaxle that's bolted to a stiff, aftermarket clutch. And at the corners of the car, polished Porsche wheels spin 195/45/15 front and 195/50/16 rear Kumho Ecsta radials around chrome lug nuts and skull valve stem caps. The bottom of this Beetle is 100% road ready from its front control arms all the way to its true dual exhaust; and you can cruise down the strip with the confidence of knowing there aren't any hidden surprises waiting for you just below its surface.

Pop open the car's solid closing doors and you'll find a custom leather interior which is the perfect spot to spend a summer afternoon cruising. All four passengers, assuming two of them are very short, enjoy firm, red-stitched bucket seats. In front of those seats, a glossy “Volkswagen Motorsports” branded dash hangs a basic layout of Auto Meter Phantom gauges around a flush-fitting DVD entertainment system, buttons for the car's ignition and a remote controlled Alpine head unit. Below those seats red-trimmed floor mats protect like-new carpet which rides under a chrome EMPI shifter that's topped by a bright chrome knob, and a factory parking brake lever that's topped by a billet handle. At the sides of those seats, completely painted door jams and window frames blend well with black vinyl door panels that are complemented by polished armrests, tight map pockets, chrome window cranks and billet door handles. And above those seats, a tight black headliner stretches from door to door and window to window. Keeping the driver connected to the road is a black NRG steering wheel which makes good use of the car's small turning radius. Keeping the good times rolling is a high dollar sound system which mixes a Phoenix Gold amplifier with a Kole Audio bass tube and Memphis Car Audio package tray and kick panel speakers. And keeping the passenger's road trip gear stowed is a fully restored front hatch which centers a chrome fire extinguisher and a “Volkswagen Motorsports” branded fuel tank in a surprising amount of cargo room.

No matter the car, completing a restoration that doubles as a custom build is very expensive. Fortunately, you can walk right into our RK Motors Charlotte showroom and make one man's loss your big gain for less than the price of a new Golf. If you're looking for a fun and unique classic that's stuffed with charming VW character and so much more, this fully-sorted Type 1 is your ticket.