The original Volkswagen Beetle, produced from 1938 to 2003, boasts a few amazing statistics. First off, it was sold for a remarkable 65 years without undergoing a significant makeover, which is an exceptional achievement in the automotive sector. It was constructed at no less than 21 factories that were dispersed over 17 nations and 6 continents. Last but not least, it sold a staggering 21.5 million pieces, ranking it among the top five best-selling nameplates of all time.
One of the most recognizable vehicles ever designed, the original Beetle is also a beloved classic. But it’s far from rare due to its high production output. Sure, models built in the late 1930s are indeed very scarce, while the ones from the 1940s are relatively rare, but Beetles made after 1950 are common regardless of the model year.
Production exceeded 100,000 units per year as early as 1952, and moved into 200,000-unit territory in 1954. It reached 500,000 examples in 1959 and surpassed the one-million mark in 1965. But this doesn’t necessarily mean finding a 1960s Beetle in good condition is easy. You see, back in the day, the Beetle was a throw-away product due to its affordable price. And as a result, many cars were abandoned in junkyards as more modern vehicles became available.
Although there are many millions of repaired Beetles on the market, finding an unrestored and unaltered specimen is becoming more and more difficult. And that’s why I was so thrilled when, 33 years later, a nearly immaculate 1960s example was pulled out of a barn in Sweden. Yes, this “bug” is a remarkable time capsule; don’t let the heavy dust and the dog feces deceive you. The transformation from “barn find to beauty” can be seen in the highly rewarding video that follows. Naturally, I’m referring to a much-needed initial wash and detailing.
Why was this Beetle stored for so long? Well, the footage doesn’t come with a detailed story, but it’s probably one of those instances where the owner either passed away or couldn’t drive the car anymore. Not surprisingly, the flat-four engine no longer runs, but the vehicle left the barn in great condition. Not only rust-free, but it’s also complete, and the upholstery was preserved under fluffy covers. And while gray isn’t the most appealing color out there, the fact that the cabin is draped in a matching hue makes for a cool combination.
So how rare is this Beetle? To answer this question, we must figure out the model year. And that’s not so easy to do without a VIN. However, some details provide valuable hints about when it arrived in showrooms. For starters, the larger taillights with separate amber turn signals suggest it wasn’t built earlier than 1962.
Then there’s the “1300” badge on the engine lid. It signals the existence of a 1.3-liter flat-four under the hood. The 50-horsepower mill was introduced for the 1966 model year as an option. The powerplant remained in production for many years. We also know that Volkswagen deleted the headlamp covers in 1967 and added larger taillights in 1968. In short, this Beetle appears to be a 1966 version.
In that year, Volkswagen produced a staggering 1.08 million units, making the Beetle we’re looking at one of the most prevalent models ever constructed. Eight years, including 1966, saw Beetle production reach one million units. You won’t see many automobiles in this condition, despite the fact that this year is somewhat common. especially after having been stored in a barn for more than three decades. All in all, it’s an amazing discovery that I’m hopeful will soon be back on the road.