Volkswagen Beetle
2015 Volkswagen Beetle Classic
Original Price: $20,195 - $25,995
Original Price: $20,195 - $25,995
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle
Original Price: $17,990 - $25,590
Average Auction Sale: $7,775
Median Auction Sale: $7,700
Original Price: $17,990 - $25,590
Average Auction Sale: $7,775
Median Auction Sale: $7,700
2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
Original Price: $17,180
Average Auction Sale: $6,218
Median Auction Sale: $5,500
Original Price: $17,180
Average Auction Sale: $6,218
Median Auction Sale: $5,500
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
Produced: 83,434
Original Price: $15,950 - $20,925
Average Auction Sale: $4,523
Median Auction Sale: $4,134
Recall information
Produced: 83,434
Original Price: $15,950 - $20,925
Average Auction Sale: $4,523
Median Auction Sale: $4,134
Recall information
1994 Volkswagen New Beetle
Original Price: $12,325
Original Price: $12,325
1979 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $5,700
Average Auction Sale: $16,732
Median Auction Sale: $12,500
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,700
Average Auction Sale: $16,732
Median Auction Sale: $12,500
Chassis Profiles
1978 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $5,700
Average Auction Sale: $12,832
Median Auction Sale: $10,213
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,700
Average Auction Sale: $12,832
Median Auction Sale: $10,213
Chassis Profiles
1977 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $3,000
Average Auction Sale: $15,886
Median Auction Sale: $11,925
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,000
Average Auction Sale: $15,886
Median Auction Sale: $11,925
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
1976 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $3,000 - $3,560
Average Auction Sale: $9,416
Median Auction Sale: $8,500
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,000 - $3,560
Average Auction Sale: $9,416
Median Auction Sale: $8,500
Chassis Profiles
1975 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $3,000
Average Auction Sale: $8,891
Median Auction Sale: $8,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,000
Average Auction Sale: $8,891
Median Auction Sale: $8,000
Chassis Profiles
1974 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $2,624 - $3,500
Average Auction Sale: $9,262
Median Auction Sale: $7,975
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $2,624 - $3,500
Average Auction Sale: $9,262
Median Auction Sale: $7,975
Chassis Profiles
1973 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $2,300 - $3,100
Average Auction Sale: $8,764
Median Auction Sale: $7,426
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $2,300 - $3,100
Average Auction Sale: $8,764
Median Auction Sale: $7,426
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
1972 Volkswagen Beetle
Produced: 1,284,928
Original Price: $1,845 - $2,400
Average Auction Sale: $8,161
Median Auction Sale: $6,750
Chassis Profiles
Produced: 1,284,928
Original Price: $1,845 - $2,400
Average Auction Sale: $8,161
Median Auction Sale: $6,750
Chassis Profiles
1971 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,840 - $2,750
Average Auction Sale: $9,772
Median Auction Sale: $8,250
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,840 - $2,750
Average Auction Sale: $9,772
Median Auction Sale: $8,250
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
1970 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,840 - $2,250
Average Auction Sale: $9,100
Median Auction Sale: $7,400
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,840 - $2,250
Average Auction Sale: $9,100
Median Auction Sale: $7,400
Chassis Profiles
1969 Volkswagen Beetle 1500
Original Price: $1,800 - $2,200
Average Auction Sale: $8,573
Median Auction Sale: $7,650
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,800 - $2,200
Average Auction Sale: $8,573
Median Auction Sale: $7,650
Chassis Profiles
1968 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,700 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $9,607
Median Auction Sale: $8,000
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,700 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $9,607
Median Auction Sale: $8,000
Recall information
Chassis Profiles
1967 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,640 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $13,362
Median Auction Sale: $11,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,640 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $13,362
Median Auction Sale: $11,000
Chassis Profiles
1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1300
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $14,380
Median Auction Sale: $11,525
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $14,380
Median Auction Sale: $11,525
Chassis Profiles
1965 Volkswagen Beetle 1200
Original Price: $1,560 - $2,050
Average Auction Sale: $13,406
Median Auction Sale: $10,574
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,560 - $2,050
Average Auction Sale: $13,406
Median Auction Sale: $10,574
Chassis Profiles
1964 Volkswagen Beetle 1200
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,095
Average Auction Sale: $14,804
Median Auction Sale: $11,825
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,095
Average Auction Sale: $14,804
Median Auction Sale: $11,825
Chassis Profiles
1963 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $20,679
Median Auction Sale: $15,400
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,100
Average Auction Sale: $20,679
Median Auction Sale: $15,400
Chassis Profiles
1962 Volkswagen Beetle 1200
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,090
Average Auction Sale: $17,155
Median Auction Sale: $12,210
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,090
Average Auction Sale: $17,155
Median Auction Sale: $12,210
Chassis Profiles
1960 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,565 - $2,050
Average Auction Sale: $22,287
Median Auction Sale: $17,050
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,565 - $2,050
Average Auction Sale: $22,287
Median Auction Sale: $17,050
Chassis Profiles
1959 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,550 - $2,730
Average Auction Sale: $18,553
Median Auction Sale: $16,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,550 - $2,730
Average Auction Sale: $18,553
Median Auction Sale: $16,000
Chassis Profiles
1958 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,555 - $2,050
Average Auction Sale: $16,783
Median Auction Sale: $12,700
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,555 - $2,050
Average Auction Sale: $16,783
Median Auction Sale: $12,700
Chassis Profiles
1957 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,500 - $2,000
Average Auction Sale: $28,165
Median Auction Sale: $24,200
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,500 - $2,000
Average Auction Sale: $28,165
Median Auction Sale: $24,200
Chassis Profiles
1956 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,490 - $2,390
Average Auction Sale: $28,114
Median Auction Sale: $22,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,490 - $2,390
Average Auction Sale: $28,114
Median Auction Sale: $22,000
Chassis Profiles
1955 Volkswagen Beetle
Original Price: $1,495 - $1,995
Average Auction Sale: $30,708
Median Auction Sale: $29,050
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,495 - $1,995
Average Auction Sale: $30,708
Median Auction Sale: $29,050
Chassis Profiles
1954 Volkswagen 1200 Deluxe
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,400
Average Auction Sale: $32,276
Median Auction Sale: $33,548
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,400
Average Auction Sale: $32,276
Median Auction Sale: $33,548
Chassis Profiles
1953 Volkswagen 1100 Beetle
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,400
Average Auction Sale: $35,306
Median Auction Sale: $33,600
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,600 - $2,400
Average Auction Sale: $35,306
Median Auction Sale: $33,600
Chassis Profiles
1952 Volkswagen Beetle 1100
Original Price: $1,400 - $2,300
Average Auction Sale: $48,130
Median Auction Sale: $47,473
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,400 - $2,300
Average Auction Sale: $48,130
Median Auction Sale: $47,473
Chassis Profiles
1951 Volkswagen 1100 Beetle
Original Price: $1,295 - $2,300
Average Auction Sale: $41,194
Median Auction Sale: $35,488
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,295 - $2,300
Average Auction Sale: $41,194
Median Auction Sale: $35,488
Chassis Profiles
1950 Volkswagen Beetle 1100 Deluxe
Original Price: $1,500 - $1,995
Average Auction Sale: $36,783
Median Auction Sale: $38,849
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,500 - $1,995
Average Auction Sale: $36,783
Median Auction Sale: $38,849
Chassis Profiles
1943 Volkswagen KdF-Wagen
Original Price: $1,480
Average Auction Sale: $116,500
Median Auction Sale: $116,500
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $1,480
Average Auction Sale: $116,500
Median Auction Sale: $116,500
Chassis Profiles
Adolf Hitler was searching for a people's car that was capable of transporting three children and two adults at speeds of sixty miles-per-hour. The car was to be inexpensive, costing the same as a motorcycle. Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to produce such a vehicle.
There are many theories as to where the designs originated from. Some believe Hitler designed the vehicle. Some theorize that it was Joseph Ganz's 1920 design that was the true inspiration for the Beetle design. Porsche had created designs for the Mercedes-Benz 170H, which played into the design of the Beetle.
Inspiration for the Beetle had been drawn from the Tatra vehicles, mainly the T97, that had been designed by Hans Ledwinka. Due to the similarities, Tatra launched a lawsuit that never really materialized due to Germany invading Czechoslovakia. The lawsuit was later re-opened after World War II and Volkswagen was forced to pay Tatra 3,000,000 Deutsche Marks. This left Volkswagen with little money for the development of new Beetle models.
The Volkswagen Beetle first came on the scene in 1947, but they were known by a different name. KdF, short for Kraft durch Freude meaning 'power by joy', was designated for these small, gas-friendly vehicles. In English, the name Beetle was used. In German, they were known as Kafer, and in French, they were called Coccinelle.
These little bundles of joy featured mechanical drum brakes and a gearbox void of synchromesh.
In 1949 the Volkswagen logo was placed on the rims. The engine was expanded to 1131 cc and was capable of producing 25 horsepower. The models that were produced after October of 1949 could be started without a 'starting crank'.
Two convertible options were offered by Volkswagen in 1949. The two-seater design, designated 14A, was penned by Josef Hebmuller. The four-seater Type 15 version was designed and produced by Karmann of Osnabruck. The four-seater was vastly more popular and stayed in production for 30 years.
The 14A was stylish and attractive, with the major shortcoming being a fire that destroyed the factory where they were being produced. The two-seaters featured a rear deck nearly identical to the front hood. The strength of the car, lost by removing the roof, was amplified by a stronger windshield frame and dual Z-section girders located under the floor. In 1953, the last of the Hebmuller rolled off the assembly line, after only 696 examples were produced.
In a time when practicality ruled over style, the four-seater cabriolet was king. The Karmann company had a long history of designing and building cars. In business since 1901, was familiar with assembly line production, benefits and features of different types of metals, and the styles of multiple markets.
The mechanical, cable-driven brakes were replaced with hydraulic brakes in 1950.
During the 1950's the Beetle saw exterior and interior improvements. 1951 saw the addition of arm-rests which were discontinued just a few months later. In 1952, 2nd-4th gears became synchronized. The dashboard was redesigned with a glove compartment. The rear of the Beetle was updated in 1953, receiving a new single oval pane window in place of its original split rear window design. In 1955, the bumper was improved and electrical direction-indicators were installed. A second tail-pipe was added. The front seats became wider and could be moved to three different seat-back adjustable positions.
In 1956, the tires became tubeless. Near the end of '56, side view mirrors became standard on all Beetle models.
In 1957 the front window was increased by 17 percent while the rear window received a 95 percent increase. A new dashboard, rear view mirror, radio, and a speaker appeared. The turn signals would now turn-off automatically.
Up to this point, a roller pedal had been used to initiate acceleration. This was the year that the gas pedal replaced the roller pedal.
In 1958, ivory disc wheels were offered.
In 1960, an engine capable of producing 34 horsepower was offered. The speedometer was increased from 74 mph to 87 mph. A windshield-wiper washer system became available. The front directional light was changed from white to amber.
A gas gauge was added in July of 1961.
In 1963, the seats were changed from wool upholstery to synthetic. The VW emblem located on the hubcap was no longer painted. The safety of the vehicle was once-again enhanced with enlarged directional lights.
There were minor changes in 1964. The windows did, however, become larger.
In 1965, the front axle was improved. The ongoing saga of incremental improvements received another chapter - A defroster vent was added to the center of the dashboard.
The Beetle continued to be sold in the United States until 1978 with the convertible version sold until early 1980. Sales continued in Europe until 1985. Developing countries, such as Mexico, have been developing the Beetle since 1964 and the vehicles have remained in production since that time.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019