1968 Japanese VW Beetle Sedan For Sale
While the Beetle is a product of Germany, it is certainly a car of the world.
By the mid 1960's the VW has reached all corners of the globe and sales were brisk.
VW set up additional production plants to keep up with demand and major distributors
in different markets jumped in to aid with the sales and delivery of the cars.
The fun part about this global phenomenon is how similar the product was
in all parts of the world. In 1968 from America to Africa and everywhere in between
you would see humble little white Beetles like this rolling around the roads.
This particular example is a really fun one as its story takes us all over the world.
The car was built in Germany, but its initial home was in Japan.
From Japan it came to California and about 10 years ago now it traversed the US to its current home
in Miami Florida.
Being a Japanese market car, it is a factory right hand drive!
The paper trail and history of the car is just fantastic.
The original owners manual pouch in the glove box is an amazing bit to thumb through.
In Japan, the largest distributor for VW (as well as other brands) is Yanase.
By the looks of the original delivery card and documentation, the car was first sold to
a Mr Tsunao Seki who worked as a Comptroller at the MSTS "FE" (Far East) docks in Yokohama.
The MSTS is a branch of the US Navy , the "Military Sea Transportation Service"
and as Comptroller, Mr Seki dealt with accounting and such at a management level.
The Beetle was his personal car for many years.
VW dealer service stamps from the early days of his ownership all show the Yanase stamp either from Yokohama
or from nearby Isogo Japan.
The paperwork is all so fun as it is like diving into a different realm all together from the US or Europe.
Dealership locations are marked on the map just like in other countries
Im not quite sure what all the notations are referencing here, but perhaps Mr Seki and his "accountant brain"
had a reason for them.
These copies of the original receipt letter from Yanasa to Mr Seki are amazing!
A balance of 604,800 Yen ... which at the time was $1680 US.
Here is another neat little slip of paper with emergency telephone numbers for the Navy personell.
Manual is in Japanese, despite the English on the front cover and the left hand drive images within.
The car remained with Mr Seki until well after his service with the MSTS and followed him back to the US
where he settled in the Bay area. Always a well maintained and original car, the current owner bought it about 10 years
ago now and shipped it to Florida where he modified the suspension and swapped wheels around just for fun.
Other than the suspension drop and wheels, the car remains all stock and original.
The owner did retain the original parts will send them off with the car if desired.
The car was repainted on the exterior at one point, but inner surfaces show original finish.
It has some minor dings and scratches here and there and shows its age, but still remains very presentable.
Lots of original parts throughout, pop out quarter windows.
Original stickers all in place.
A sticker in the window from its days in California
Euro Hella taillight lenses
I love this straight up mirror on the "passenger" side.
It does appear that the drivers side door was replaced at some point.
The markings on the glass differ and you can see that it was painted inside as well as out to match.
No other signs of accidents or repairs, super straight and solid example.
Chrome has some minor aging if you look super close
I love the bumper guards on the front and rear.
A little pitting on the headlight rings
These awesome accessory vent shades are a texture I have not seen before...possibly a Japanese market accessory?
Front apron has a couple scuffs and dings, but no signs of any collisions .
The engine was rebuilt in 2009 by the previous owner and it runs fantastic.
When the car was still here in California, I actually drove it myself from San Francisco
to Los Angeles and it never skipped a beat. During the current ownership it has been incredibly reliable
and always starts even after months of sitting.
Nice and clean and always well serviced.
Hop in and drive this one anywhere!
Very clean and dry underneath as well
The body and chassis on the car are very solid
The only area showing any sign of repair is under the battery where it was obviously replaced at some point.
The front beam is a narrowed adjustable axle from Old Speed in California.
Cool down turned accessory exhaust tips.
Very solid and dry
Carpet was redone at some point and still looks good
Neat to see the unpadded dashboard and 67 style ashtray .
Pedal assembly and parcel tray
12 volt
Clean jams
Original KM speedometer
US spec radio installed at some point.
Works well on AM stations.
Headliner shows some aging but it is holding in well.
Seats and door panels are all in nice shape
Small bit of tape forward of the inner handle
Dash and controls are all clean, original and un-altered.
Seats look very nice
I just love the right hand drive!
It really is a cool car.
Not a flawless show piece by any means, but a very respectable and reliable driver.
Rare rare rare in the US and even in Japan these original Yanase cars are highly prized.
Fantastic history to this one and obviously a very cool look and stance with its Sprint star wheels.
Asking
$14,500 obo
For More Info...CALL
951 767 1600
or email oldbug@earthlink.net