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1969 Volkswagen Beetle 4-speed manual
This 1969 Volkswagen Beetle has been the subject of a full restoration over the past five years at the seller’s licensed shop. No expense was spared to execute a complete overhaul and bring the car to original spec.
The exceptional paint job is a period-correct Volkswagen shade. It is a tribute to chrome blue, Volkswagen paint code 51-K. Seller reports that when photos were shot, the car attracted the attention of many onlookers, several of whom had a story about their experiences with a Beetle.
The 1500 cc carbureted engine was standard for the North American market and runs smoothly. The four-speed manual transmission has been upgraded by the seller’s shop with a short-shift kit, modernizing the feel of gear changes and making gear-engagement easier than some might remember. The transmission sends power to the rear wheels.
Complementing the clean paint, the chrome is very presentable with very few hints of weathering, though condensation is visible within the left front indicator light. The “pea shooter” twin exhaust pipes are a Beetle standby. The original style chrome wheel caps posses a bright shine and partially cover black-painted 4 x 130 steel wheels. New tires were installed as part of the restoration. As shown in the gallery, much of the glass is original, an exception being the windshield. All original badging is in place and reflects light with lustre.
The 1969 model is considered a good year by Beetle collectors. A prominent reason for this is that it is the first year for IRS on the Beetle, independent rear suspension. It is also the first year for a remote fuel door release and the last for the wide headrests and the teardrop-shaped front indicators.
Black vinyl interior is in particularly good original condition with the only shortcoming being a small perforation visible near a lever for fold-forward function. The two-spoke steering wheel features a period horn control on an inner half-circle and displays the famed Volkswagen Wolfsburg logo. Window cranks operate the door windows as designed and vent windows are also functional.
Front seats finished in black vinyl provide easy ingress/egress and provide effective vision out from the greenhouse, passengers are protected by three-point seat belts while the matching rear bench is equipped with lap belts. Steering wheel shows no cracking, and the pedals display the VW logo. Instrumentation is basic. There is a speedometer centred within the rim of the steering wheel. A fuel gauge is incorporated within, something that became standard on the full Beetle line in 1965. Much of the dash is finished in chrome blue, the exterior colour, to provide contrast to the black surfaces. Another contrast is the wood-look door of the glove box, fore of the front passenger’s seat.
The engine bay is featured in the gallery. While the engine does show some signs of its 52 years, the air filter and oil filter are clean. Belts, hoses and ignition wires show no signs of wear and are malleable to the touch. Distributor cap also shows little sign of wear. Engine starts readily.
Since the gallery photo shoot, the seller advises that he has replaced a window crank, a missing door lock topper and blanks in the dash with correct grommets. Seller reports he has documentation for the restoration, an invoice for an extensive parts order is included in the gallery.
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