1957 VW Beetle Convertible For Sale
This is a very slick mild custom 57 Cabriolet located in the Fresno California area.
It has received a very full restoration by it's owner, most of which was done
by himself and it is an impressive amount of work. The builder is known as Fresno James of JP Kustoms.
So this is not his first project by any means.
The car has a tough look to it...down low, dark wheels
really a neat look, but without losing a lot of the original classic style or modifications
that could not be easily reversed.
The car was completed around 2006 and has been driven to shows all over the west.
Not a trailer queen...this one is a driver!!
The car is well loved by it's owners and they have had a blast with it...but it is time to send it on to a new owner.
Here is a snippet from the owner's letter to us about the car.
"Since July of 2006 when we drove to the Angels Camp show( his 1st show) this car(Nunzio) has logged mile after mile after mile on the road.
Never a Trailer Queen! Countless trips to Kelley Park, San Jose; Sacramento; Madera; Bakersfield; Irvine; Solvang; Las Vegas Nevada.
Not to mention all the trips to the Ca Central coast, just for a Convertible drive. This little Bug has seen miles of open road, & he has been a good little trooper.
However the time has come for us to say farewell to our loved one, to let our little family car go.
We need to sacrifice our little car so he can become someone else’s Pride & Joy.
It is time to send Nunzio out into the world so he can see all there is to see & do all there is to do.
He is looking for a good home with a nice parking spot preferably in a garage.
Someone to love & cherish him, to take him on Sunday drives (preferably to car shows), to wash & wax him.
He will gladly carry you wherever you’d like to go, turning heads as you pass through."
The car has done well at the shows...here are a few awards
Shows
Angels Camp-Mother Load VW Club show 2006-3rd place Convertible Beetle/all
VW Bugs & Busses Invade the Village 4-3rd place Type 1 stock/ 1957 & earlier
Madera Spring Fling 2007-2nd place Stock/ Vintage Meadows 1961 & earlier
Wolfsburg’s Wickedest Modesto show 2007-1st place Convertible/ Stock/all
Madera Spring Fling 2010-2nd place Stock/ Convertible Beetle
VW Classic 2010-3rd place Early Convertible Beetle
Angels Camp-Mother Load VW Club show 2010-2nd place Early Beetle Ovals & Splits/Modified
Bugoramma 66 Sacramento-2nd place Early Convertible Beetle
Bugoramma Las Vegas-2nd place Early Convertible Beetle
Madera Spring Fling 2012-2nd place Stock Convertible Beetle
It is not a "perfect" car by any means, but it is a reliable and presentable driver that gets a ton of attention due to it's rarity, age and stance.
The top has the proper early rear window
The convertible "W" decklid
Bullet front signals
Proper 56-61 taillights
Narrowed beam tucks the wheels in tight and the red stripe on the edge of the black wheel is a bold and unique
statement that suits the car very well.
Nice chrome...all clean
Wolfsburg crest on the hood.
The car really sets out nice...but up close you can pick out some flaws.
There is a bit of "orange peel" to the paint finish...and there are some minor chips and scratches.
Karmann body badge
Nice interior, carpets and mats.
Here is a little shot on the dash that shows the paint finish...shiny, but not mirror finish.
Locking shifter...early H pattern heater control
Handbrake and controls as well as seat frames are clean and well detailed.
The sun visors are not "correct" convertible units, but proper for sedan.
The mirror is slick
Slight paint chip on the tip of the ashtray
Some fun small details like the chromed glove box door hinges
Fit of the top is nice but not flawless
Glass and rubber is all in great shape
Header bow and top latches are clean
Interior color is great with the scheme of the car...really nice
Sweet
The hinge covers that go back here at the top are not present.
Correct dome light out back
Headliner in nice shape
Under the front hood is clean but not glossy.
Trunk liner and wiring cover in place...tidy, but not show car stuff.
The wiring is all new in the car.
No hood seal so there are a couple of paint rubs as a result.
Window frames are all very clean...right rear quarter window needs just a little help when cranking up
but another window regulator is included in the sale if someone wanted to trouble shoot it.
Under the dash is clean...I love the parcel tray and cleanly painted steering colum.
I see a 12 volt accessory outlet mounted here for charging your modern electronics
and a fuel tap reserve lever extension which is nice.
The steering wheel looks excellent.
All lines up nice!
A little rub on the door jam from the door.
Just normal wear and tear stuff
A couple paint chips on the back edge of the hood
Dash is clean an unaltered
Parcel tray and glove box pull are nice little add ons
Great color combo
Door latches are clean
Large early convertible style door pockets
The red detail on the wheels really brings out the interior color
Seats done very nicely...correct vent holes in the seat back
12 volt electrics
Here is a little scratch on the seat frame...just normal wear and tear from a bit of use.
Here is a small flaw on the drivers side seat back.
Rear seat looks great!
Top frame is clean...rubber seals all new
Top fits nice and the material is in very good shape
Engine is a 1600cc single port that runs fantastic.
12 volt electrics, simple and reliable...gets about 30mpg and is a blast to drive.
Decklid stand off tab is really not needed but it gives it a slightly more hot rod look.
There are a couple of paint flaws around the fender beading...perhaps installed while the paint was just a bit too fresh
it has pushed up just a bit in spots like the one you see here.
Here is another couple paint chips on the rear apron from engine installation.
Another little paint flaw down low behind the bumper.
Little front apron scuff...(darn lowered cars...it doesnt take much!)
The owner has a set of fender skirts that are painted to match that are available for negotiation with the sale of the car.
I like the look!
In closing this is a nice "Driver quality" early convertible.
A pretty rare machine, well sorted out and with some unique style.
It has it's flaws, but it still carries itself very well and attracts attention at every event.
Asking
$28,500 obo
For More Information...CALL
951-767-1600
or email oldbug@earthlink.net