1966 Volkswagen Beetle - SOLD
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  • Overview & History
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It drives beautifully, the color combination is attractive, and owning a car like this is still as economical as it was decades ago.

The beloved VW Beetle is finally getting some respect as a collectors’ item. Just because 25 million people enjoyed them daily for decades doesn’t mean there’s no desire for nostalgia here on the other side of history. They’re cute, they’re reliable, and they’re a lot of fun to drive, too, all of which make the Beetle a great place to start when you’re just getting into the hobby or a fantastic vehicle to collect if you’re serious about VW’s people’s car. For true VW enthusiasts, 1967 was a turning point, with the cars built prior to that commanding a significant premium. That’s why we’re so fond of this 1966 Volkswagen Beetle: classic good looks, charming road manners, and still full of that simple quality that made these cars special from the very start.

Pearl White is this Beetle’s original color, and it has been repainted in just the right off-white tone in the not-so-distant past. The quality of the rest of the car suggests that the freshening didn’t need more than some fresh paint and we can see no evidence of rust issues or previous accident damage. There’s a soft gloss to the paint that looks quite authentic and it fits together as well as it ever did. The charm of the pre-67 Beetles lies in the clear headlight housings, the smaller marker and taillights, and the flat windshield, all of which make it stand out markedly next to the later Super Beetle. It looks older than it is, and perhaps that’s the appeal—an old car that looks genuinely old. This one also carries a lot of fresh chrome that sparkles against the white paint and includes accessories like the bumper guards, window visors, and radio antenna. Out back, you’ll see a correct ‘1300’ emblem that tells you about the engine underneath, as well as a Jenkins-Wynne dealership badge—based out of Nashville, TN, they were the biggest VW dealer in the southeast and they’re still in business today. This Beetle lived most of its life down south, so that’s why the sheetmetal is so clean, and that’s a neat little bit of history that’s still intact with this car.

The red vinyl interior is almost entirely original and in fantastic condition throughout. The bucket seats are still firm and comfortable, but worn in just enough that you don’t feel like you’re going to slide off like with the modern foam. Original carpets are a little threadbare in the high-traffic areas, but it would be a mistake to replace them, and the factory headliner remains taut and unmarked—nice! Controls are, of course, brutally simple, with a big steering wheel and an early instrument panel with separate speedometer and fuel gauge to the right. There’s also an original Sapphire 111 transistor radio in the center of the dash and it works properly. In fact, everything works: lights, signals, horn, all of it. Sure, it’s not much in a VW, but it’s still a pleasant surprise to be in an old car without any asterisks. The 4-speed manual transmission feels like a typical VW transmission, vague and kind of clunky, but on the road it works just fine as long as you don’t over-think your shifts. Just drive! Seat belts were added at some point and they use correct Wolfsburg buckles for an OEM look and the back seat looks almost completely unused. The forward trunk is still tidy, with a full-sized spare and correct mat and cover to finish it.

The 1285 cc flat four needs no introduction. Sure, the 48 horsepower it makes isn’t terribly impressive but that’s not the point. It’s gutsy, energetic, and that cheerful whistling sound it makes is famous around the world. It’s impossible not to smile when you drive this car, and it isn’t about the speed. It’s neatly finished, although not detailed for show, and it’s always nice to find a Beetle that’s completely stock rather than filled with aftermarket gear. In 1966, the Beetle was still using a 6-volt electrical system, but please don’t let that scare you—it cranks over and fires just fine. All the factory ducts and heater tubes are in place, the heavy-duty air cleaner is wearing its original decal, and there are signs of conscientious maintenance throughout. Turn the key and it fires easily and idles well, and once it warms up it scoots around energetically without any hiccups or bad behavior. A traditional exhaust system maintains the factory sound.

Underneath you can see that the floor pan is in excellent shape and shows no rust or patching in the past. Sure, there’s some grease on the front suspension fittings, a little seepage from a few spots, but nothing that’s out of the ordinary for a 55-year-old car and surely nothing you need to worry about fixing. There are no modifications, so it rides and handles like it should and there are few restored cars that drive as nicely as a well-preserved original. The brakes have been recently serviced with new hoses and wheel cylinders, and the axles look fairly fresh, too. Factory steel wheels are painted to match and carry 165SR15 Michelin radials that look suitably vintage.

Extras include some service manuals and catalogs, as well as a box of spare parts including gaskets, ductwork, and more.

There’s an undeniable charm to the Beetle. There are plenty of tired ones still running around, but finding a nice, clean, unmolested original car like this is still kind of special. It drives beautifully, the color combination is attractive, and owning a car like this is still as economical as it was decades ago. Parts are still plentiful and since they were designed to be easy to maintain, anyone can feel at home under the hood today. If you had one or if you’ve always wanted one, this one will make you feel right at home. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.

Vehicle: 1966 Volkswagen Beetle
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 117049
Odometer Reading: 72,103
VIN: 116946129
Engine: 1285 cc air-cooled flat-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Gear Ratio: 3.88
Wheelbase: 94.5 inches
Wheels: 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps
Tires: 165SR15 Michelin radial
Exterior Color: Pearl White
Interior Color: Red vinyl
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