Rob's original, unrestored 1952 split window beetle

This is an original, unrestored 1952 Model 11C Deluxe Export Sedan.

The car was manufactured on April 23, 1952, and left the VW factory in Wolfsburg, Germany the next day for its first home, Brussels, Belgium, where it lived for many years. In 2001, the car was purchased by a collector in New Jersey, who traded it to Randy Carlson of Oldbug.com in late 2003. As soon as I saw it for sale on Randy's website, it was love at first sight. I became its proud owner in January, 2004.

As you can see, the car has lived a happy life.  Aside from a mid-1950's hood, it's 100% original, right down to the still-shining L36 Azure Blue factory paint.  All its numbers match‚ engine, chassis, and transaxle.  The interior is all intact and still looks great.  All lights, gauges, and the 8-day wind-up clock work like new.  It even has its original owners manual (in French), warrantee card, "driving tips" sheet, and vinyl case with the gold-embossed dealer's name!

 

Incredibly, the "kilometer" odometer shows that the car currently has only about 53,000 original miles on it.  Wow!

There are a few cool original accessories on the car, such as Robri fender guards, a cigar lighter, "Port-a Wall" whitewall tire inserts, Vent trim, a Rosenthal bud vase, and rear brake lights and reflectors (legally required in Belgium).  The beautiful 25hp engine purrs like a kitten, and is completely original.

 

The car is a joy to drive.  Driving a car with the original crashbox transmission takes some practice, though!  The interior of the car has that wonderful "musty attic" smell, and at night the dome light provides an eerie golden glow in the cockpit.  The semaphore turn signals snap to attention, and the "crotch cooler" air vents keep things comfortable.  What a ride!

This car and I will be together for a long time.  I'm keeping it the way it is, never to be modified or restored.

Why mess with perfection?

 

Brought to you by Rob D and Inland Valley Volkswagens