1955 Volkswagen Beetle Oval Window MotorWorks Custom

23 million Beetles have sold worldwide over the past 75 years. The original model hit American shores in 1949, appearing as an alien amongst chrome-clad giants. Bugs were different, fun, hands-on simple to work with, and probably the most American car Germans ever introduced to our shores. “The Bug” has undergone a subtle styling genesis over the years, the most handsome iteration is the 1955 Oval Window Beetle.

While VW production hummed along, Volkswagen building its one-millionth Beetle in Wolfsburg, only about 9000 make their way to the U.S. in 1955. The same year, Volkswagen of America was formed, and a host of dealerships were established. This car honors that moment in history.

This car began life as a 1998 Mexi Beetle, bought new in from a VW Dealership in Mexico City, that same year. He drove it for 941miles while on work assignment and brought it back to his native home of Indianapolis, IN the following year, keeping it covered and garaged until 2014. A restoration was required to make the car wholly legal for sale and street use in America. Motorworks Restorations of Colorado Springs, CO was tapped for job, renown for this type of transformation. Dubbed “Mr.VW” by his father, Jeremy Vreeman, President of Motorworks was struck with the idea to reimagine the nearly new Mexi Beetle as an homage of the iconic American '55 Oval Window Beetle. The mission- retain the technical advantages gained over the past 50 years while injecting this Bettle with some Mid-Century soul. Work began in earnest in Fall of 2016.

EXTERIOR

Body work is all steel and VW real. Rear glass is an original VW oval window from '55. The main roof section is from a '70 while the oval window section and front hood are real '55 Beetle units incorporated into the build to turn back the clock to 1955.
Front and rear fenders, engine lid, bumpers, front and rear aprons are OE quality reproductions. Front headlights are new OE German. Front turn signal lenses NOS German. Mirrors are stainless steel. Body seals/window seals are German. Once the body work was finished by Motorwork's resident Metal Magician, it was sprayed with Epoxy Primer before being treated to a finish coats of 1955 Polar Silver.

The vehicle's original VW windshield, door and quarter glass were retained. Overall fit and finish are superior to OEM VW production for 1955, or any year for that matter.

INTERIOR

The 1955 Polar Silver is offset by a Brick and Bisque full leather interior, including headliner and premium low-back model, Colorado Sport Bucket Seats by “Sew Fine”. Dash section and cowl are original '55 VW integrated into the factory bulkhead. A restored original Oval Window German speedometer is set where the factory positioned it from '53-'57. The odometer currently reads 336, indicating the miles driven since restoration was completed. Starting the car comes courtesy of an OE German '54-'57 ignition switch and key. Nighttime driving is made brighter by flicking the NOS '52-'57 Headlight Switch. Fuel level is monitored by a Dehne Digital Fuel Gauge. While appearing as elegant as the original, the Retro-Sound Radio is Bluetooth equipped; features a hidden antenna. The 1955 Dashboard experience is completed by a restored original '55 “dished” two-spoke steering wheel. Door cards are finished in color keyed leather, using the correct '54-'57 vintage stitch pattern. Carpets are classic German Square Weave in Dark Gray.

The truck features a custom-built liner, wrapped in leather, a vintage correct spare tire, and reproduction 'Hazet' hubcap tool kit.

ENGINE BAY

Drivetrain is stock 1998 Mexi-Beetle, being an air-cooled 1600cc four-cylinder with Digifant fuel-injection, hydraulic valve lifters, spin-on oil filter, and 12v alternator. The '55 look is provided by a vintage correct air cleaner and stainless-steel dual tailpipe exhaust fitted with an O2 sensor for Fuel Injection by Vintage Speed. Factory engine and transmission has a total of 1,277 miles from new.

CHASSIS

Suspension is also '98 Mexi-Beetle, Ball-joints up front and the legendary swing arm setup out back. Brakes are upgraded front brake kit, CSP German, converting from 4 x 130 to 5 x 205 bolt pattern. Rear drums are OE German conversion drums from 4 x 130 to 5 x 205. 15” steel wheels are shod in Coker wide-white wall 560-15 bias-ply tires as would appear new for the 1955 model year. Hubcaps are Genuine VW German.

SUMMARY

What would it cost to do this build today? About $150,000. How much time would it take to build? Motorworks currently has a 2-year waiting list. Then, it would take 6-9 months to build, provided all of the parts are on hand. Years were spent collecting OEM parts, mostly from Germany, and restoration work completed in 2018. The car has since been driven sparingly, 336 miles, and kept in the climate-controlled confines of a private museum. If you want the most modern mechanicals the Beetle offered, combined with vintage German engineering, and a twist of Mid-Century American flair, and you want it now, this is the Bug for you.