A Porsche design dating back to the 1930s, the venerable People's Car has become an automobile icon par excellence. Easily the most recognized car on the planet, it is beyond comparison as a mode of transportation. The VW Bug is sexy, has a soul, and is truly fun to drive!

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Oval Window Beetles, built between 1953 and 1957, are highly coveted by collectors from all over the globe. An Oval Window Bug is vastly more user friendly than its predecessor, the Split Window, while having much more character than its successor, built from 1958 on. Most knowledgeable enthusiasts consider Oval Windows--especially those equipped with the huge, sliding, canvas sunroof, commonly called "Ragtop"--to be the most desirable Beetles ever built!

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To quote a famous rock band: time waits for no one. Sadly, not many of these wonderful Oval Ragtops survived for half a Century. Most were eaten alive by the merciless cancer rust, others used and abused by economically challenged owners just looking for a set of cheap wheels. Of the few that did survive, some have been turned into Drag Racers or Baja Buggies.

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The 1957 Oval Window presented here, VIN *1524379*, is different. A true survivor, it was reportedly once owned by Tommy Chong (of Cheech and Chong fame). Tastefully updated in the spirit of the era when Flower Power and the Man on the Moon were current events, it survived, unmodified, for the next 35 years, well into the New Millennium!
It is a true piece of history, and a rolling example of what it felt like, driving a nicely preserved Bug in the days of the Hippies. Call it a slice of automobile art, just like Janis Joplin's psychedelic Porsche 356; we wouldn't disagree.

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So, let's begin our journey to check out this amazing Beetle, after which you'll agree: it's impossible to find another one like this . . . anywhere!
Starting with the trunk, we find the original cardboard wiring cover--instead of the common plastic repop--in place. Yes, there's still the obsolete 'big neck' fuel tank with a polished, KdF-style gas cap, beautifully preserved. And if this isn't enough, how 'bout the 49-year-old decal atop the tank?
The complete, beautifully preserved original tool kit is still present, resting on groovy 1960s shag carpeting.
Yeah, baby!

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Removing the date-coded spare and original tire jack, we are more than pleased to find the vulnerable 'nose' area to be as perfect as it gets. Clearly, this Bug has miraculously managed to stay out of harm's way for almost 50 years!

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Wearing its period-correct sky blue color, this Volkswagen has been repainted ages ago. The paint is still amazingly well preserved, free of scratches or dents, while displaying benign signs of age like some crackling and a few buffed-through spots, all of which add to the crawler's charme.
There's a lot of chrome, which is in equally nice condition. You would not want to change a thing!

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What everybody wanted, back in the late 1960s and early '70s, was a set of chromed, Porsche-style wheels. Although they look just like contemporary Beetle wheels, they are, in fact, an inch wider than the stock, 4-inch Volkswagen units. All four wheels have been dipped deep into radial rubber of the dimension 165-15, correct replacement for the old bias ply 5.60-15 donuts. Early style VW logo hub caps and happy face valve stem caps lend the perfect finishing touch to these sparkling rims.

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Without a doubt the most desirable option--by a wide margin--on any Bug sedan would be the full-size GOLDE ragtop. With the twist of a single lever, an easy job even for a nicely manicured hand, the plain Bug can be turned into a happenin' Kabriolett-Limousine.
Let the sunshine in!

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Mechanically, this Beetle is in tip-top condition. Everything works as it should, down to the last bulb, and that's guaranteed!

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Looking inside, we are mightily impressed and equally humbled by Volkswagen's "less is more" philosophy. A Bug makes perfect sense as a transportation choice for the new Millennium. It's frugal and hip at the same time! As ingeniously and tastefully designed as an iPod, as easy to use and enjoy. There's everything you need, not more, not less. Well . . . almost.
This DeLuxe model features ivory steering wheel and knobs, lucky rabbit's foot key fob, 1970s cassette radio complete with Santana tape, and custom-chromed ash tray and glovebox door next to the original speaker grille!

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A couple of special relics found in the glovebox. Could those be the famed comedian's paraphernalia?

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The love shack is completely dressed in fine blue vintage velvet and morrokide. Yes, this interior is beautifully preserved and certainly one of the reasons this Beetle is so unique. Wherever we show up with this Vee-Dub, it receives most favorable comments. E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y loves it!

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Details:

• Original, mirror-mounted, transparent sunvisors
• Perfectly healthy, clean sunroof channels
• Authentic GOLDE sunroof lever

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"My car is my castle," to paraphrase the British. Looking at the cozy rear cabin with its mail-slot-sized backlight, velvet headliner and cozy, two-tone sofa, we appreciate the German sense of well-being, the Gemütlichkeit. Did you notice the rare, optional, pop-out rear quarter windows?

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More details:

• HELLA headlights with Euro-style parking light bulbs (yes, they work!)
• Chromed, refrigerator-style door handle with accessory scratch protector
• "Flower Power" taillight comes to life at night, thanks to 12 Volt electricals

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Ready for a test drive?
You bet! Let's check out the engine first, though. How's the oil?

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Engine compartment presents itself sparklingly clean and houses a chromed-out, early edition 1581cc dual port flat-4 engine.
Instead of 30 horses, it delivers 50, a considerable boost in anyone's book.
Sparked by a new 12 Volt battery, the Boxer starts without hesitation, runs smoothly, and doesn't smoke a bit.
Almost priceless: original and long obsolete "H" rear apron is perfectly preserved!

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Way down under: not only clean, but still showing some of the engine case's gold anodizing!

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Pushing the big 5-0, we're amazed to find this Bug's original platform chassis and pans perfectly rust and dent free, including the vulnerable section underneath the battery.

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April 12, when we took all of these photos, was a beautiful day in Ventura, perfectly suited for a cruise to Channel Islands Harbor, our favorite place to kick back and enjoy the mild weather.
We pushed in, then turned the ignition key and the motor instantly came to life, burbling away happily at a steady idle.

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It is truly amazing how effortlessly this 49-year-old Beetle keeps up with today's traffic. Good acceleration away from a stop light was always one of the VW's admirable traits, but this one can keep up with rice burners and SUVs, without even breaking a sweat. An easy shifting full-synchro tranny, good brakes, and a very small appetite for fuel add to the Beetle's legendary driveability. We have nothing but praise for this Bug.
At the end of the day we couldn't help but wonder: why in the heck are today's cars so complex, heavy, and thirsty?

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If you intend to drive your Classic, you don't want a sterile, over-restored, over-priced car. Neither do you want to buy a rust bucket and try to bring it back to life. It's economically unsound and usually doesn't work out.
Despite its age, an Oval Window Ragtop Bug in fine fettle is a wonderful classic car to own. It's an open air car that's easy to live with and easy to maintain (parts availability is excellent). It's also thrifty, utmost pleasing to the eye, fun to drive, and people just plain love it. Can you think of any "other" car that has so many favorable attributes?

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This one's special, though. A last-year Oval Window Ragtop, perfectly rust and accident free, from sunny Southern California, it boasts two additional things very few cars possess: a great pedigree and a charming aura. It's a car that you can drive and enjoy for as long as you desire. It will never go out of style, nor will it ever drop in value. You can bet Maggie's farm on that!