Original Once: 1962 Volkswagen Beetle – Sold?

May 20, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

April 9, 2022 Update – The private seller just replaced their expiring listing with a fresh Craigslist ad.  In it, the description, pictures, and asking price all remain the same.

While Volkswagen made a lot of air-cooled Beetles over the years, most eventually rotted away or ended up being modified to suit each owner’s tastes. While we come across many examples that have been nicely restored to their former glory, it was a real treat to spot this all-original, two-family-owned, 43K original mile 1962 Volkswagen Beetle originally listed in April 2022 on Craigslist in Longmont, Colorado (Denver). Reported to only have the carpeting upgraded to German square weave, this Beetle

Currently offered for $27,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Beetle priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $16,100 and its #2 Excellent” appraisal of $34,700.  As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask lands $2,500 above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $25,000

Produced from 1938 through 2003, the original Type I air-cooled Beetle received only incremental improvements and styling changes throughout all of that time.

For the 1961 model year, significant technical advances occurred in the form of a new engine (engine code D) and transmission. The engine displacement remained at 1,200cc however power 34 horsepower at 3600 rpm and 61 foot-pounds of torque at 2000 rpm.  Volkswagen achieved this by increasing the engine’s compression ratio to 7:1, which resulted in the engine now requiring fuel with a minimum octane rating of 87 RON.

The single-barrel Solex carburetor received an electric automatic choke and the transmission was now synchronized on all forward gears. The traditional semaphore turn signals were replaced by conventional flashing directional indicators worldwide. The standard model called the TYPE 111–112, continued to use the 30 PS 1200 engine of the old architecture that dates back to Franz Reimspiess original design of 1937 all the way until the end of the 1965 model year.

For 1962, the Beetle received a mechanical fuel level gauge in place of the former fuel tap. The Standard model continued without a gas gauge until the end of the 1965 model year. At the rear, larger tail lights were introduced incorporating a separate amber turn signal section to meet new European standards (these turn signals remained red in the US market until 1973). The former hand-pump style windscreen washer was replaced by a new design using compressed air. A Schrader valve located on the washer fluid tank allowed the system to be charged at a filling station to the recommended 35 psi.

The BeetleJuice150 YouTube Channel features this classic Volkswagen Beetle commercial focusing on how little VW changed the car from year to year:

They are only original once, so you may have to wait a while to find a 1962 Volkswagen Beetle this original with so few miles.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: what would you do with this 1962 Volkswagen Beetle?  Comment below and let us know!