1965 VW Beetle For Sale

Now, I must admit openly that I cheated a little on this one...rather than build up something from nothing,
I took a shortcut and bought a car that was already together and then massaged it to fit my desires and make it feel like "mine".
The car I started with was a super clean machine to begin with, so the work I had ahead of me was pretty minor.
I often give people the advice to buy a car that is done, rather than to build one...and this time I took my own advice.
And you know...it was pretty cool to spend the first months of ownership behind the wheel rather than under the car or chasing parts.
Anyway...enough back up story for now...lets see what we have here.

The car was initially built back in the mid 90's by an old High School friend of mine.
He did a full body off affair and went after it with a pretty anal attitude..
(I mean that in a good way Dave...if you are out there!)
A nicer way to say it would be that he was very "detail oriented".
In fact when I discovered the car and realized it was his old ride, I knew I had to have it...he always did great work.

When first built, it had a 350hp Turbo engine stuffed in it with all of it fitting under the engine lid.
All the turbo goodies were long gone when I came across it, and a more normal performance powerplant was in it's place.
Probably a good thing for me...with 350 hp I would probably hurt myself!

The paint and bodywork still looks fresh and fantastic even though it is some 13 years old.
Very very straight and smooth body.

I changed a few little things to give it a more traditional look, like this Talbot style "Bullet" side mirror.
(Installed at trim level, so if anyone wanted to change the mirrors there would be no holes to fill)

I did something a little unique with the wheels...taking a polished alloy and blasting the centers
to give it a bit of a rough cast look. The exposed surface was then sprayed with a dull steel finish to keep it smooth.
The look is very cool in my opinion...something familiar like the Porsche wheel, but with a different twist.

The car has a great stance to it and with the "old school" style T bars and such it looks almost timeless.

Hex bar style T bars were some of the first made back in the day...these are faithful reproductions
with polished uprights and blasted bracket portions.

Porsche style headlight lenses were another detail that I added.
Parking lights inside are red...so it glows kinda cool at night.

Original turn signals remain

The VW logo

The windshield is actually an original 1965 German bit of glass...it has a few stone chips
but it's sure not often you see an original windshield these days.
The window rubber and trim is all new...when I got the car it had Cal Look style rubber which I swapped out.

I debuted thecar at the Legendary Bug In 33 this past April, and have taken it to only a few events since.

One piece side windows are very well fit and functional.
To keep the stock trim look, I modified some stock window scrapers to accept the longer rubber
and in the end it looks almost factory, yet with no vent wing.

Stock quarter glass.. Stainless steel body trim was added as well...much nicer than the aluminum stuff.

Rear window... just visable through the glass is a very bright third brakelight that came from a GM Suburban.

The emblem on the decklid give the viewer a hint as to this not being a stocker under the shiny exterior.

The personalized plate and "Pray VW" frame will be staying with me when the car sells...
Note, the early style plate light.

Amber topped Euro style taillight lenses break up the red a bit out back.

Hex stock T bars out back as well...polished stainless muffler.
There is a bit of a paint flaw under the T bar on this side...it's been touched up but if you are looking for it,
you will see it.

Artsy fartsy shot...

Rear wheels are very slick customized Porsche alloys that have been widened on the inside edge to allow for
fatter rubber. These 205 70 15 skins fit just great under the fenders

VW logo valve stem caps...nice little touch.

Billet aluminum running boards

145-15 tires up front.
The Neal disc brake center cap pokes out through the center...

Classic Cal Looker.
The color by the way is "Rosso Corsa Red" from the Ferrari color pallete...one of the best reds ever sprayed on a car.

Porsche space saver aluminum spare sits in the well and looks very sweet with the polished center cap and black lugs.

Under the hood is the sizeable audio equipment box which houses the amps and
crossovers and a CD changer ( changer is not currently being utilized ).
Everything is all carpeted in black and has a good clean look to it.

Another pretty shot...

Lets lift the engine lid and have a peek...

The 2275cc engine is a screamer...the car really hauls.
CB Performance heads, 44 idf Weber Carbs, and all the top level stuff inside.
In keeping with the Ferrari theme, I tried to give the engine the look and feel of the
classic Testarossa with the red textured engine finish. It came out pretty slick
but after a plastic oil cap gave way on me, the oil stained the red finish a little and with it being
textured, made it impossible to clean completely away. Oh well...it was worth a try.

I did the firewall in an "engine turned" pattern like old aircraft stuff...looks cool.
(If the buyer of this car is interested in having the engine tins re-done with
a different finish or something that will get it back to show level...this can be negotiated)

Weber 44idf Carbs with air cleaners...

Breather box and a detail of the firewall finish.

Finned aluminum valve covers, engine cross brace, ceramic coated header system,
remote oil cooler with electric fan and an oil filter as well...all plumbed with stainless braided lines.

This shot shows the inside of the wheel where they were widened. Axle tubes were chrome plated,
adjustable spring plates are another bonus. The trans is a beefy built Rancho unit with 3:88 ring and pinion and reasonably stock
gear ratios...really well worked out...quick off the line and good highway cruising speeds.
The clutch is a very stout 2300lb Kennedy unit that is worked by a hydraulic clutch set-up.
KYB GR2 shocks in the back.
On hard accelleration I have noticed a bit of a vibration from back here that Im not sure of it's origin.
Its only noticeable when you are really laying into it...at low speed or high speed it is smooth as can be.
Its been that way during my whole ownership and doesnt seem to be changing.

Chassis shows some road grime and for show level stuff, could perhaps use a fresh spray of undercoating...
but it is very solid.

Fender wells are painted body color and still shine quite nice.
Front end is an adjustable unit with chrome sway bar.
Front brakes are by Neal with cross drilled rotors and Wilwood calipers.
They stop the car on a dime. I have noticed a recent low speed squeak
with them when pulling up to a stop light or through a parking lot now and then, but the pads and all look fine.

Peek inside...

Very clean interior... black and red always look so fine together.
Black and red coco mats are a nice touch as are the red racing seat belts.

Formuling steering wheel is very comfortable.
OK...Im sure someone will notice the little black vent in the center of the dash and email me...
This vent wasnt introduced until 66, and the car is a 65...what gives?
The body shell is actually a 66, but it is a 65 chassis.
Titled as a 65 to the chassis number (as it should be).

Chrome turn signal arm trim ( one of the rare accessories that we have reproduced and are selling )

Odometer reads just under 17,000 miles.

Stock radio in the dash
Tach mounted underneath

Scat Procar center console holds the oil pressure and temp gauges
(as well as the boost gauge from the car's turbo days)
Speakers are also mounted on either side for the impressive audo system.

Sony head unit is in the glove box, mounted up high so there is still room for your papers.
Under the front seats of the car are mounted some amazing low profile bass boxes that hit pretty hard...
and with their location under the seat...you truly feel the bass!!


Scat Procar seats are very comfortable and recline as well.

Another overall shot...

Gene Berg shifter.

Custom door panels

Matching aluminum threshold plates look great.

Rear seat done in matching stitching to the Scat front seats.
Belts in back for the kids.
Electrical shut off switch mounted under the seat.

Rear speaker panel...note the third brakelight fittment...this baby is bright!!

Headliner done in black vinyl.

Excellent condition with matching black visors

Drover's seat has adjustable lumbar support...just squeeze the thingy...pretty slick.

Racing belts hold you firm in the seat and are a cool look as well.

Back in 1995, here's the car on the cover of VW Trends Magazine.
It looks a bit different today...but it's the same machine.

Here's a part of the magazine spread...


And here is the car today (well a few months back at least).
It was sold to a local buddy of mine who has run it around minimally and polished it more than I ever did.
He has had his fun with it, now it's your turn!

The car is still stunning and it runs and drives great. Pretty fast indeed.


Asking just
$15,500 obo
(open to realistic offers and possible trades too)