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1955 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Sedan

  • Coachwork by Karmann
  • Chassis Number: 1 0906 325
Ferdinand Porsche conceived the Beetle in 1932 as a mass-produced, low-priced vehicle that was available and affordable for all Germans. This 'people's car' was just hitting its stride in 1955 when, by year-end, the Wolfsburg Works had produced a total of 279,988 cars in one year alone. By 1965, production achieved the million-car mark.

During World War II, the Fallersleben plant was partially destroyed. The Volkswagen project was offered to Henry Ford II, who felt the car wasn't 'worth a damn.' No one wanted the Volkswagen, partially due to the American public's strong anti-German sentiment. One man, however, did see promise in the company. A Dutchman brought the car to the United States and partnered with foreign car importer Max Hoffman, and helped fill America's demands for affordable transportation. By 1952, Volkswagen produced and sold over 100,000 of these little air-cooled cars. Model choices included the Standard, the Deluxe, the Deluxe with Sunshine Roof, the Type 2 Microbus, and the Cabriolet.

This vehicle is a 1955 Volkswagen Cabriolet that has been given a restoration. This was a heavily optioned car from the factory when new, and is finished in silvery blue Mittelblau metallic paintwork with original and proper fender skirts. The car rides on whitewall tires and there are chrome hubcaps and trim rings. Other features include twin fog lamps, illuminated semaphore turn indicators, the European 'Heart' tail lamps, and the City Arms (Wolfsburg crest) badge.

The interior features pale blue leather, translucent plastic sun visors, twin door panel pockets, an original Blaupunkt 'Frankfurt' pushbutton LMUK radio, and twin leather-upholstered bolster pillows to the rear. There is also a rare 'Deluxe Panel' dashboard clock, located in the center of the dash.

Mounted in the rear is a 72.74 cubic-inch air- and oil-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with a single Solex carburetor. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014

2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $60,000-USD $80,000 
Sale Price :
USD $82,500

1955 Volkswagen Beetle Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Volkswagen Beetle

(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Coupe
Chassis#: 5234734
Sold for USD$26,400
  2024 Mecum : Indy
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Oval Window
Chassis#: 11042232
Sold for USD$28,600
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Custom 'Frog Guts'
Chassis#: 1-1037063
Sold for USD$47,600
  2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Oval Window
Chassis#: 10885544
Sold for USD$44,000
  2023 Mecum : Kansas City
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle 'Oval-Window'
Chassis#: 10800332
Sold for USD$30,800
  2023 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz
 
1955 Volkswagen Type 1 'Oval Window' Beetle
Chassis#: 10805973
Sold for USD$39,200
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1955 Volkswagen Beetle image  1955 Volkswagen Beetle image  
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Oval Window Coupe
Chassis#: 10888531
Sold for USD$37,400
  2022 Mecum : Monterey
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle
Sold for USD$42,900
  2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle
Chassis#: 10766905
Sold for USD$29,700
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
 
1955 VOLKSWAGEN 'DRIVER EDUCATION' BEETLE
Chassis#: 791908
Sold for USD$38,500
  2021 RM Sothebys : Handle With Fun
 
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Chassis#: 10822325
Sold for USD$46,200
  2020 Gooding : Geared Online
 
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Chassis#: 10918346
Sold for USD$26,400
  2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ
 
1955 Volkswagen Oval Window Type 1
Chassis#: 10805973
Sold for USD$37,400
  2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction
1955 Volkswagen Beetle image  1955 Volkswagen Beetle image  
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Chassis#: 10805973
Sold for USD$15,950
  2018 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
1955 Volkswagen Beetle image  1955 Volkswagen Beetle image  
1955 Volkswagen 'Beetle' Cabriolet
Chassis#: 10798716
Sold for USD$32,170
  2017 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle
Chassis#: 10888049
Sold for USD$9,000
  2017 Mecum : Monterey
 
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
Sold for USD$15,000
  2017 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Chassis#: 10951386
Sold for USD$26,950
  2016 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast
 
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Sold for USD$21,000
  2016 McCormick's - Palm Springs # 60
 
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Sold for USD$21,000
  2016 McCormick's Auction # 60
 

Volkswagen Beetles That Failed To Sell At Auction

1955 Volkswagen Beetle's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1955 Volkswagen Beetle 2020 Mecum : Glendale$16,000  
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE COUPE15474542017 Premier Auction Group$20,000  
1955 Volkswagen Beetle 2016 Mecum Indianapolis$27,000  
1955 Volkswagen Beetle 2016 Carlisle Auctions : Spring Carlisle   
1955 Volkswagen Beetle109513862016 Leake Auction : Dallas Spring$25,000  
1955 Volkswagen Beetle Sedan 2011 Barrett JacksonLas Vegas   
1955 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE107568312010 Silver Auction Arizona in January$15,000  

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1955 Volkswagen Beetle

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1955 Volkswagen Beetle Vehicle Profiles

1955 Volkswagen Beetle vehicle information
Sedan
Chassis #: 10805973
1955 Volkswagen Beetle vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Karmann
Chassis #: 1 0906 325

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.