1956 Volkswagen Beetle

This 1956 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 is an early (-ish) car with an oval rear window (which replaced the split-screen window of the original) and is in remarkably good condition. It was imported into the UK earlier this year, and it had been with the same owner (vendor) for the last three years in Colombia and now, here in the UK. First registered in 1956, the car now has a UK registration, a valid MoT, and requires no additional work by the new owner.

The car also comes with a certificate from Volkswagen verifying its authenticity. The original spec is also mentioned, which includes optional extras like red leatherette upholstery, large reflector in brake lights, bumpers with over riders, lockable rear flap handle, no spare wheel (which is now present), etc. The vendor mentions that the original chassis plate seems to be intact, while the engine number is the same as the one with which the car was shipped from the factory, according to the Volkswagen heritage certificate (also included in the ‘Documents’ section below).

While its low mileage can’t be verified, it’s definitely an original example; one that’s been maintained rather well, too. It has a lot going in its favour: the spec, its immaculate interior, the fact that it drives well (you can read the vendor’s notes below), new battery and tyres, and of course, its unmissable, clean exterior.

The Beetle’s design stayed largely unchanged until the ‘New Beetle’ took over entirely. While there were key differences between early cars and special models, the shape remained identical. We generally tend to appreciate how cars like the 911 have carried on for years without deviating from the original design, but the Beetle actually proves how timeless its design was. Even though it carried on well into the noughties, the design never looked dull, outdated, or even out of place. All that bodes really well for it now since the Beetle is a venerable classic.

Similarly, this Prairie Beige 1200 creates a very strong first impression with the way it looks. It’s a 1956 oval-window 1200, which means it gets the new (for its time) oval rear window, moving forwards from the split-screen design of the previous models. The wise use of chrome on everything that’s not colour-coded with the body reflects well since it breaks the monotony and complements the thoroughly amicable design.

It must be noted that according to the vendor, the car’s previous owner in Colombia used it for car shows and Feria da las Flores, a local flower festival which also holds a concours event. The vendor mentions when he saw the car for the first time, it was covered in rosettes and colourful flowers. Flower Power!

The bodywork is largely free from any sort of damage. The paintwork, too, is without a doubt, one of the strong points of this example. There are only a handful of spots, but none too serious: one scratch on the roof (left side), a scuff mark on the front bumper, etc. The badges, wheel caps etc. seem to be in perfect order. The panel gaps are generally consistent, and the distinct semaphores are operational, too. No surprises, considering Beetles were made to last — and they certainly do.

The car’s exterior does leave a lasting impression, but what makes the Beetle ownership an ever more inviting proposition has to be the interior. The simplicity with which the Beetle offers a fairly comfortable cabin for you to enjoy while it cruises along, with its air-cooled engine providing a great mechanical symphony is certainly one of the under-appreciated joys, especially if you haven’t owned a Beetle. Yet.

This 1200 was specced with red leatherette seats, the condition of which is good. The interior does have some spots, which detract it from being a museum-quality example, but it has certainly aged well. The roof lining looks to be perfect, whereas the carpet and door cards appear to be in similar shape. The pivotal bit in this cabin has to be the dashboard, which mixes and matches overall effectiveness and charm like it should on such an appealing car.

The door pockets might not please the usual consumer journalist in 2021, but the overwhelmingly adorable parcel shelf is peak utility but without hampering the cabin’s visual appeal. Despite only two doors, the interior is fairly airy. And while the oval rear screen mightn’t allow as much as in the later models, it looks very good from inside as well as outside. While there isn’t much to discuss in terms of features (no touchscreen here; what a surprise!), the heater works well, says the vendor.

The front luggage compartment (or ‘frunk’, if you’re reading from the other side of the pond) houses the spare wheel and tools, fuses, etc. The parcel shelf behind the seats can accommodate a fair bit inside the cabin, too, making the Beetle a bit more than just a city runabout.

And it wasn’t just a city car, actually. It was engineered by Ferdinand Porsche, and as you must’ve heard, he knew a thing or two about motor cars, although it must be noted that the Porsches we love were brought out much after the Beetle. While simple, this people’s car (Volkswagen, hence the name) was ready for a variety of tasks and markets. The simple rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive platform worked well. Advancements to make the Beetle more powerful and better handling eventually resulted in a variety of engines being offered and, of course, the short-lived Super Beetles.

The 1956 1200 you see here came as an update to the Split Screen version. VW didn’t just change the rear window, they made the engine larger and the model even more appealing. With a million cars manufactured by 1955, it was clear that the German carmaker had done something right.

This car's 1192 cc engine makes 30 hp, which might not seem much, but one mustn’t forget that this car weighs just over 700 kilos, so keep it on the boil and you’re bound to make decent progress. A ‘launch’ for a YouTube video might be a distant dream, but it can hit 60 mph, and truth be told, that’s possibly all the speed one needs, especially if the car looks this good.

The vendor says that it ‘starts very easy and goes remarkably well for a 30 hp engine’. He further adds that the gears are good, the brakes work fine and the car stops in a straight line. The choke cable is seized (because one hardly used choke in warm climates where the car spent its life) but it starts ‘from cold with a pump of the pedal’. It’s always been stored in a dry garage, which explains the good nick it’s in. The underside can benefit from a clean-up but rust, if any, isn’t visible, and for a nearly seven-decade-old car, it doesn’t look bad. There seems to be some form of a repair done, which the vendor mentions was a battery tray repair but done prior to him buying it. The tyres have been replaced by the vendor, but the old set of cross-ply Goodyears is available with him.

Manufactured in Germany in 1956, the car was delivered to Panama. According to the vendor, it reached Colombia at some point, although it can’t be verified when. He bought the car three years ago and brought it back to the UK this year. It’s been serviced recently, and all the tyres, rear axle gaiters, and a 6-volt battery have been replaced in the vendor’s ownership. As mentioned earlier, it’s still on its original engine; the heritage paperwork proves that. Its current MoT certificate is valid till July 2022.

This Volkswagen ‘De Luxe Sedan’ 1200 is certainly one of its kind, especially given its overall immaculate condition. Beetles, if not plagued with an issue like rust, are solid cars to own, and this example can fit that definition perfectly. There are many reasons why you would want to invest in something like this, including that it’s pretty much ready to be taken to car shows. For a car nearly seventy years old and at an estimated £16,000 - £21,000, that’s quite something, isn’t it?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.