1953 VW Split Window Ragtop Beetle For Sale
A genuine stock split ragtop is high on the scale of cool for any VW nut or collector.
This example is a rare one, being from the last 6 months of production of the split rear window
during which many design changes were put into play that would eventually morph into the oval window cars.
These cars, produced between October 52 and March of 53 are commonly referred to as a "Zwitter",
which translated from German means "hybrid"... or in this case...the blend of both Split and Oval Beetles.
This car rolled off the assembly line in December of 1952 and is a very nicely restored example
that was done several years ago in Europe and came to the US to be a part of a prominant collection.
It was sold to the current owner last year and it is now up for sale to make room for a recently purchased 356.
The car is currently located in Miami Florida.
The car has received a lot of recent work to bring it to top level.
After sitting for many years in a collection, it needed a proper revival.
The fuel system was gone through completely including the treating and restoration of the fuel tank,
replacement of the soft lines and rebuilding of the carburetor.
New battery and a check of all systems and a flush and replenish of all fluids.
The exterior received a high end professional polish that brought the shine back to perfection.
The car shows very well and it runs and drives excellent.
The color is a very deep brown , L73 Chestnut Brown, that really shows the
lines of the car beautifully and with the tan top and interior it is a very classy and correct color combination.
The "heart" taillights are a very desirable and correct detail for this car. These continued on US delivery cars
through 1954 and on European delivery cars through 1955. In 1956 the lights got larger for both markets.
This bumper design was new for the car as well, starting in October of 52...gone were the thinner grooved bumpers
of the earlier models. This design continued all the way up to 1967!
The short European bumper guards are correct for the car.
Love those taillights!
The upper lens is the brakelight, the lower is running light and reflector.
The underside of the car is very clean and solid.
This was a body off restoration when done and the quality looks very nice.
Super clean and dry.
No rust or nasty stuff under here, the chassis and body are well finished underneath.
The fender wells are all painted body color and are finished, the floor pan and suspension are cleanly painted in black.
Well done. Done to factory specs, not "over-restored" like many that are being done these days.
Headlights are excellent with the VW logo fluted lenses and bulb type lighting.
The oval shaped horn grille was introduced with this model, another detail that remained
in production all the way up to 1967.
Very glossy paint finish on the car...check out the relfection!
Wolfsburg crest is an original one with the right colors and design.
The hood is the correct early 4 tab hood with the flat surface under the emblem.
The smooth body trim is another detail that was introduced on the Zwitter cars.
Prior to this the trim was slightly thinner and had a grooved design.
This car has accessory mirrors fitted to both sides that clip onto the edge of the door.
They are in excellent shape and not only look great, they also work very well.
Love that reflection off the fenders and hood...so sweet.
The split rear windows are the defining factor for this car...there is really nothing quite like a split.
3 months later after this one rolled off the line...the split window went away forever and the windows grew larger as
Beetle production expanded and took over the world.
This car has the extremely desirable factory sunroof.
These early design sunroofs, were larger than later models, with an extra folding section.
Commonly referred to as a "three fold" ragtop, the opening in the roof is significantly larger than
on the "two fold" which was used from 1956-1963.
One quick detail that can help you identify the difference is the square corners like you see here.
Two fold ragtops have a rounded corner.
The sunroof on this car is in excellent shape and works well.
Glass is excellent, the early style wipers are correct.
Door hinge areas look very clean.
Running boards are in exceellent shape
Body trim and chrome is all excellent.
Semaphore turn signals are well fit and functional.
Very clean details in the door jams with bright clean hardware and latch mechanisms.
Interior is excellent and is done in the correct cloth.
October of 1952 was also the introduction of the vent wing windows on the doors.
Clean
The floor mats are the correct tan rubber, the carpet is the proper German square weave wool.
The dash is excellent and is very proper.
One detail that is "zwitter only" is the ashtray with no knob or chrome surround.
Headliner is excellent
Very cool period radio in this car and the correct early key switch with key.
Glove box has been trimmed with headliner material
Golde handle in great shape.
Golde was the manufacturer for the sunroof parts and even did the installation of the sunroofs on the early split cars.
Eventually VW took over this part of production but still sourced the parts from Golde.
Correct shifter.
Pedals are clean
The "bat wing" steering wheel was introduced with the zwitter model and continued until 1956 when the design changed again.
Another zwitter only detail is the speedometer that has very small arrows at the bottom.
It is hard to see in this image, but compared to later models, the arrow became much larger.
H pattern heater knob is correct as well
Floors are excellent in the car.
Seats are beautiful.
New battery
There is a little rub wear on the back seat right on the edge from pulling the seat bottom in and out to service the battery.
Looks fantastic overall and the bolster pillows are a great touch and a rarely seen item on early Deluxe splits these days.
Nice fit to the headliner.
Rear luggage area looks fantastic.
Super clean
Grab handles in the matching seat material is correct as are the aluminum hooks at the top
The domelight is not correct for the car, but it is as close as is available when it comes to replacement parts.
Zwitter models had the same light, but smooth with no switch.
Extremely hard to find!
Easy to swap back if you ever found one though.
Floor shot under the back seat...nice.
The only real interior issue is that the wool carpet is losing some of its fiber... it gives it a little bit
of a mottled look as you can see here behind the front seats.
It seems more prevalent here in the back corners rather than up front, but it is present.
If it bothered you , it would be a simple swap as these early carpet kits are readily available.
This could even be done prior to delivery if negotiated into the price.
Seats look fantastic and are the correct early style with nice clean installation.
The botton on the left of the wheel is that starter button...something only seen on the zwitter and the earliest of the ovals.
Outside window scraper has a little edge missing...but this is the worst of it.
Under dash looks nice
Under the front hood is very well detailed.
The fuel tank was recently refinished inside and out and looks fantastic.
This is the proper flat tank with the small diameter fuel filler and cap.
Very rare tank to find these days.
Very clean and straight inside the spare wheel well.
Wiring is all fresh and clean.
Nice!
Correct original speedo
This triangle shaped brace is a tell tale clue for an early split era hood.
The hood hinges as well, with three bolts rather than two, are an early Beetle attribute.
Body tag is clean and in place.
The chassis number comes up with a December 1952 production date for a 1953 year model car
Hood latch detail.
Fresh and clean
Very clean and smooth running all stock 25 horsepower engine.
Very nicely detailed engine room as well.
Air cleaner is the proper "strap top" design.
"D" regulator and flat top distributor.
Engine number dates to a December 1952 production and is believed to be the original engine to the car.
This has not been documented at this point, but a VW "birth certificate" from Wolfsburg should
clear up any doubt.
Very clean
Correct rear apron
Great looking car inside and out.
All stock as it should be.
What a beautiful Beetle this is!
That three fold ragtop... so dreamy!
I love this shot... three-fold and split window.
Yummy!
Oh...forgot a detail image of the radio...damn cool!
In closing this is a very nice car.
It is a very rare and desirable model in a wonderful color combination and the restoration has been done well
and is quite accurate for the purist collector out there.
Very few details can be picked apart on it...nothing is perfect, including this one
but overall it really shows well and is a "real deal" car through and through.
Factory sunroof, original engine, all matchy matchy by all appearances.
Asking
$57,950 obo
For More Info...CALL
951 767 1600
or email oldbug@earthlink.net
.