VIN:1-0789203
Asking Price: $25,000
Overview
This 1955 Volkswagen Type 1 Oval Window Beetle is a rare California-delivered example retaining its matching body, pan, and front beam, verified by an official Volkswagen Museum Birth Certificate. Originally sold through the legendary Competition Motors in Hollywood, the car has remained in California its entire life before being discovered in storage in Valencia.
The Beetle has undergone extensive restoration work, including a fully restored rolling chassis, completed metalwork, and the first stage of bodywork completed on the majority of the car, ready for next steps to make it that perfect driver or shop-level restoration. Nearly all sheet metal is original, and the included inventory of components is comprehensive—making this an ideal foundation for a high-quality restoration, whether performed by a DIY builder or a professional shop.
An optional 1954 Okrasa 36hp engine built by Mr Okrasa (Joe Ruiz) is available separately for a buyer seeking a period-correct performance upgrade.
These images show the car as I acquired it, before the start of the restoration.
Key Highlights
- Matching body, chassis, and front beam (verified by Birth Certificate)
- Delivered by Competition Motors, Hollywood
- SoCal car since new
- Nearly all original sheet metal; one German reproduction rear fender (Blech-Manufaktur)
- Body in SPI epoxy primer; 90% rough bodywork completed
- Fully restored rolling chassis
- Front beam and steering components rebuilt (George Schmidt (The Butcher Shop))
- Rebuilt split case transaxle (Wright Gearbox)
- Extensive inventory of original and restored parts included
- Ideal “blank canvas” for final paint and assembly
- Optional Joe Ruiz–built 1954 Okrasa 36hp engine available
VW Birth Certicate
- Here you can see the birthdate of the car is 1/7/55 and exported on 1/10/55.
- It does not have a color specified, however there is enough evidence with original paint was L275 Light Beige.
- You will also notice the optional "Bumpers with overrider" noted. I removed the holes to give the tailights visibility and because it was optional when this car was delivered.
- Clean California title and registration is currently non-opted
- Delivered through Competition Motors in Hollywood California
- M018 denotes that it was delivered with egg taillights
Body & Metal
- Car media blasted to bare metal and sealed with SPI Epoxy
- Rust repair and metal finishing completed (extensive pictures available)
- Evercoat Rage Ultra, along with UPOL Dophin Glaze, used for shaping, then sealed again with epoxy
- Original hood, decklid, front fenders, right rear fender
- Rear apron replaced using high-quality Wolfpart reproduction
- Driver-side rear fender replaced with high-quality German reproduction
- Rough bodywork completed; ready for final block sanding or panel-to-panel refinement
- Doors, hood, decklid, and fenders are currently mounted for alignment
Chassis & Mechanical Restoration
Pan (Restoration performed by Washburn's Metal)
- Matching original pan
- Media blasted and refinished with powder coat
- New correct KlassicFab pan halvesy
- All hardware cleaned, plated, and reinstalled
Front End (Restoration performed by George Schmidt, The Butcher Shop)
- Matching numbers original front beam
- Beam disassembled, powder coated, and fully rebuilt
- New bushings with correct early components
- All hardware cleaned, plated, and reinstalled
- Steering box fully torn down, powder coated, resealed, and reassembled
Brakes
- All soft and hard lines replaced
- Drums turned; original German units retained
- ATE wheel cylinders installed
- New shocks
Transaxle (Rebuilt by Wright Gearbox)
- Splitcase transaxle with non-syncro 1st gear
Included Parts
View directly here: Parts Inventory
As you can see, all the hard to find parts are included with the car. I have completed restoration on a handful of parts including the original hardware and vent wings.
The hardware is bagged and tagged for each part it belongs to.
Optional Engine
- Wolfsburg West Okrasa Kit
- 69.5mm Counterweighted Stroker Crank
- Performance Camshaft
- Heater boxes restored and ceramic coated
- Period correct parts and engine tins
- WW Abarth Exhaust
A period-correct, high-quality 1954 Okrasa 36hp engine built by Joe Ruiz is available for additional purchase. This is a highly desirable performance option for vintage correctness, show-quality builds, or period racing spec.
Assembly Status
- Body is currently mounted to restored chassis
- Doors, decklid, hood, and fenders installed for alignment
- Vehicle rolls and steers easily for transport
- All included parts are organized and stored cleanly
Why This Beetle Matters
- Early Oval cars with matching numbers and California history are increasingly scarce
- The most labor-intensive and expensive restoration work—chassis, metalwork, and rust repair—is complete
- Nearly all rare '55-specific components are included
- Perfect foundation for concours restoration, custom build, or high-quality driver
- Represents an excellent value relative to finished examples that regularly bring $40,000–$60,000+
Asking Price
$25,000
Optional: 1954 Okrasa 36hp engine by Joe Ruiz available for separate purchase (price to be negotiated if interested).
Contact
Serious inquiries only, please.
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