Lot 11
1964 Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe Sunroof Sedan
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

1,192cc, air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine, single-barrel Solex carburetor, four-speed transaxle, independent front suspension with dual trailing arms, torsion bars plus anti-sway bar, independent rear suspension with torsion bars, shock absorbers, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes; wheelbase: 94.5”


Immediately after World War II up to the end of the 1970s, the Volkswagen Beetle was the most successful European imported model brought to the United States. It wasn’t just in the USA that these unique little cars were a hit, as VWs were sold around the world with great success. It was a simple car that featured an air-cooled rear engine with a four-speed transaxle that could carry a driver and three passengers with relative comfort. It wasn’t a high-performance finicky European import by any means. With simple mechanics, most owners could perform basic maintenance and repair procedures with common tools. The bodies were well put together with at least one television ad telling people that if they were having a hard time getting the door to close properly, to simply roll a window down just a bit due to the car being so well sealed. The original Beetle design had come from the thinking of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and would also serve as the basis for his first Type 356 Porsche sports cars. To the untrained eye, the VW Beetle looked pretty much the same from year to year but, to the expert, there were noticable subtle differences. Major changes involved the rear window, going from a two-piece “split” window design to a small oval to ever increasing openings. Engines got a bit more performance, and other details changed such as engine compartment lids, taillights and bumpers. For 1964, there were several minor updates along with a couple of major changes. Horns were now operable with a thumb button replacing the horn ring, new more breathable vinyl coverings were used for the seats, and the biggest news was a more integral, metal sunroof replacing the troublesome cloth top on early models. Volkswagen touted that this new top still allowed open-air motoring while also making the popular little Beetles more “theft-proof”. Within the company, the Beetle was known simply as the “Type 1”, with the sedan sometimes referred to as a “Limousine”. Officially, the 1200 Deluxe Sedan was model 113 but, with the addition of the factory installed sunroof, the designation was 117. For the 1964 model year, a total of 1,034,797 Type 1 Volkswagens were produced; unfortunately, no breakout by body style was released.

This 1964 Volkswagen 1200 Deluxe Sunroof Sedan features the new all-steel roof panel which also featured an easier to operate cranking device for the sunroof. This car was a one-family, two-owner vehicle up to 2013, and is very well-documented with the original sales contract, owner’s manual, and service booklet. Also included is the original window sticker and numerous service receipts dating back to 1964. When the family sold the car, it was purchased by an enthusiast of early Volkswagens, and its condition, while still complete, original and operable, needed a cosmetic and mechanical restoration. The original 1,192cc engine was removed and completely gone through as were the transaxle and all chassis components. There were no major issues with the sheet metal, which meant the body was sympathetically restored and repainted in its original Pearl White. Authentic materials were used in the interior replicating the factory with perforated vinyl materials which were new for the 1964 model year. All the glass in this little Volkswagen has been professionally installed and features fresh mounting rubbers and channels, with the rear quarter windows hinged to open and allow for free-flowing ventilation on warm days. New seals were installed and all the mechanisms for the sliding sunroof were cleaned and today operate better than when new. Volkswagens from 1964 were well-equipped with standard equipment such as heater-defroster, turn signals and dual sun visors, which were all included in the base price of $1,685 for the sunroof edition. This car is also equipped with a period-correct Sapphire I push-button AM transistor radio, which is in excellent working order and, for a little more storage room, there is a period-correct aftermarket removable roof rack to boot. A fun car that is easy to drive, has built legions of dedicated fans around the world, and just plain fun to own and drive, this is one Beetle you just can’t afford to pass up.