Unmolested Sunroofed Bug: 1966 Volkswagen Beetle
When I was ten, my dad purchased a new Ruby Red 1965 VW Beetle from Crater Motor Company in Petersburg, Virginia. (Civil War buffs will know why the dealer chose that particular name.) Even though my dad served in World War II, he loved his German-built little puddle-jumper and the engineering and overall quality that went into it. He was impressed with his first Beetle and remained a VW man the rest of his life. Here we have a 1966 VW Beetle with the rather rare metal sunroof option as well as a dealer-authorized luggage rack. The photos are limited and there’s no history shared, but it looks like a nice enough Beetle to use as a driver or treat it to a restoration.
The seller describes the Beetle as a “time capsule” since “most of its interior is still intact as are the original bumpers and body panels.” That’s not my description of a time capsule per se, but it’s still an unmolested Beetle from the ’60’s which aren’t getting any easier to find. It’s had one repaint to its original Bahama Blue, which has always been a favorite Beetle color of mine, and, based on the photos, it looks presentable and shiny. The chrome bumpers, trim, running boards, and glass look good as well. The seller says there is very little rust on the body, but that repairs and patches have been done underneath. This was the first year for the Beetle’s new flat-style hubcaps and they’re on a new set of tires with 0 miles on them. Although white walls were an option in ’66, I personally would’ve put white walls on this Beetle for a dressier look.
In their 1966 sales brochure, VW touted the Beetle’s available storage up front, in the carpeted well under the rear window, and the 17.7 cubic feet of storage available if you collapsed the rear seat backrest. But, to quote their brochure: “If you need more room than that, you can always ask your authorized VW dealer for a luggage rack. It’ll hold five or six good-sized pieces of luggage on the roof.” So, in addition to the rather rare sunroof, you have the not-often-seen authorized metal roof rack. Two more reasons why this Beetle is desirable.
I wish there were better-lit photos of the interior. When you’re taking photos in a garage of a car with a black interior, you’re not going to see much detail. The Bahama Blue dashboard looks good though, and you’ll see a few of the new changes made to the ’66 Beetle: a half-circle horn ring, a much-needed defroster vent on top of the dashboard, and a red emergency flasher knob mounted just above the ignition. This Beetle also has the rather rare hand-cranked metal sunroof. VW’s sales brochure read, “The sunroof is operated by a crank over the rear view mirror. Turn it and the steel plate recesses into the roof to open 390 square inches of daylight (or moonlight) overhead.”
For one year only, ’66 Beetles were powered by the larger 1300cc air-cooled engine that increased horsepower from 40 to 50. The seller says this is not the original engine, but that is has been replaced with a period-correct motor. The original mileage is listed as 88,200, but it’s not clear how many of those miles are on this replacement engine. The seller describes the driving experience this way: “The bug, runs, drives, shifts and stops as it should.” This loaded-with-potential ’66 VW Beetle is currently located in Wilmington, Delaware and is for sale here on eBay. As I’m writing this, four bids have been placed, but not surprisingly, the $6,500 top bid hasn’t reached the seller’s reserve. So, what would you do. Keep it as a decent driver or treat it to restoration?
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Comments
My first car was an off white 66 with the sunroof.
Never should have sold it
First car was a ’60 Bahama Blue- I called it Ice Blue- it would finally heat up by the time I got to school. Rolled it one night into a ditch, trying to avoid a cat. Turns out the cat was already dead, but being a brand new driver had no real driving skills. Painted new body Red. Learned how to tune up vw engines on this one and ’70 Karman Ghia. Great cars.
I like how they either kept or replaced the fender welting, black as it should be. Ié seen too many where it was just painted body color during a repaint. That shows attention to detail. I think the lucky buyer is going to be happy with this one. My father bought a new ’65 but for some reason it always had a dead battery in the morning. The neighborhood kids had to push it to get it started, then he had to give them a ride to school. Dealer never could figure out why, so 2 years later traded it for a Mercury. He also had a losing battle with a ’59 Hillman Minx that he traded in for a Rambler. After the VW it was no more foreign cars until he bought a Plymouth Champ (rebadged Mitsubishi) that he put 180,000 miles on.
I thought VW sedans had body-color fender welting starting in the early 1960s (except for convertibles)?
Not sure about the years but I’ve read that too about fender welting that matched the body color. I still like the look of black welting better though.
Yep yer right. It was running change starting ’61. I thought they were all painted because somebody was lazy. So black for this car would be incorrect.
Battery discharge was probably due to an alternator problem. One out of 100 911’s may someday experience the same problem when you shut down the engine, according to my mechanic and ex-911 racer. There is no cure, you have to change alternator.
Purchased the same car in 2002. Paid $500 for it. A bit rusty in the usual places, but was all original down to the radio plate in place..it ran and drove. Drove it for 2 years put a set of tires, shocks, valve cover gaskets and a muffler. Sold it for $1500. Was a good little car..people were always asking questions about it and if it was for sale. Easy to push start if needed..lol
Gave the exact color , sunroof ’66, to my stepson back in the early Nineties. The car was stolen by a couple of guys with baggy chinos and white shirts….they proceeded to rattle can the car grey. Cops stopped them and we got the car back. A week later the vatos showed up, knocked on my son’s door and asked for the stuff they left in the car. My dumba– son gave them their stuff back. I would have told them to eff off.
Very nice bug. Amazing how expensive they’ve become.
Please educate an Aussie, re the civil war comment.
Ahh a dat-dat, as we call them, because of the sound the engine makes.
My mum’s first car was a dat-dat, (then a Passat). When I was about 10, I remember the battery shorting out under the back seat, and the subsequent minor fire. How did we put it out? Probably not allowed to post that here, lol, but you can guess
Well, I am certainly glad it was a LOW-VOLTAGE electrical fire. That would not be a good way to extinguish a fire caused by the ignition coil, unless the engine is shut off first.
Errr, ummm, you obviously don’t know much about dat-dats, the battery is under the back seat, the springs in the seat shorted out the terminals, and the seat caught fire. Even as a 10yo, I’d never urinate on an electrical system. got done by mates RM80, here hold the spark plug lead whilst I kick it over.
Still waiting on the reference to your civil war?????
Aussie Dave: Here’s some info about the famous Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Va in 1864…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Crater
66 beetle hoping to grow up so it can run on the autobahn. My dad had a 67 and when I was in high-school my Uncle gave me his college 1969 beetle that needed a rebuild. With an 88mm bore kit, racing cam, dual carbs and a balancing act mine would pull the front off the ground ! Fun days as a teenager.
Ah, yes. Ca 1960 my dad and great uncle left Ft. Pierce FL on a round trip to Columbus OH in a split rear window bug. I recall the door post flip-up turn signals too. Some things you never forget.
Oh my! I bought 4 bugs in my younger days; First was a ’63 well worn car that my neighbor sold to me for $25. Next I found a 1966 with a burned piston for $50. The local VW shop sold me a used piston and cylinder to repair that car for $5.
Then I bought a ’68 Autostick Bug for $200 which covered my college commuting. In the late 70’s there were a lot of VW’s on college campuses, so that car never stood out.
My final VW was a pristine ’56, that was sold to a local teacher that never married. I paid $400 for that car, I wish I still had it.
Your comment (tease actually) about “Crater” led me into a three hour read about the history of that part of the Civil War. So thank you.
A 1966 should say “1300” on the engine cover and did not have amber tail lights. This one must have had a “do over”. Proceed carefully-
It has the “1300” on the engine lid. It’s clear on E-Bay photos.
Looks like a survivor to me…..my first one’s were around 1973 – all pre 1968 until I bouht that Thing….
Battle of the Crater. This website can explain it better than I can.
https://www.nps.gov/pete/learn/historyculture/battle-of-the-crater.htm
Thank you, I understand the Crater Motor Company now.
Yes, there were some relatively “civil” moments during the war, and many that completely defied civility.