Restored 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

The Beetle is usually overlooked but we can always appreciate a good example. It's legacy is so conflicting: they're collectible, yet over 21 million were made, they're triumphs of engineering, yet intended for everyday use, they were promoted by fascist Germany of the 1930s, yet later embraced by North American counter culture of the 1960s. Is there any corner of 20th century life the Beetle hadn't touched?

The best and most sought after examples of course are the purest, earliest, and cleanest. This fits all three bills.

Only 331,847 cabriolet versions were officially built from 1949-1980 by huge manufacturer Karmann. Styling is pitch perfect and the loss of a roof seemingly created a second new classic in its own right. The design is also handled well with the top up. Chrome window frames roll up to support the roof when closed. The black paint is a little eerie but still really cool, and the mirrorball wheels add some playfulness although we would do without the white mudflaps. Inside, the grey and white interior brightens things up.

Underneath the rear latch is 1200 cc flat four-cylinder air-cooled engine that produced a mere 36 horsepower. It won't be winning any drag races, but, as the seller says, "its appeal is in its reliability and thrift, making this a hobby car without compromises". Couldn't have said it better myself.

COTC has showcased two other impeccable vehicles from this seller before and their Beetle is no different, with dozens of clear photos of every angle inside and out, and a better than average writeup. They say this Beetle is restored, but has been done so in a careful, quality, and period-correct manner. They don't mention whether it is matching numbers but do say the engine is a correct '56 unit and everything was rebuilt to original specifications except for a new 12-volt electrical system cleverly hidden inside a vintage generator.

The asking price is really high, but the restoration must have cost a lot too. If you're looking for a refreshed Beetle in better than new condition that is ready for a new life, take notes. Even if you don't plan on considering this, it's great inspiration.

Available here on ebay for a $39,995 and the Make Offer option.

1953 BMW 327 Cabriolet

The ad for this classic car is a little confusing but worth investigating. They list the car as a 1937 - the year BMW started building the 327 - but then go on to say it's actually from the early 50s. Production of the 327 ended in 1955, so that's plausible too. Either way, this is one rare and super cool car.

The 327 was a two-door coupe and cabriolet. Only 1,901 were built in total, with a majority before WWII. When the Allied forces occupied Germany after the war, the factory that produced the 327 actually fell into Soviet occupation zone. They continued building the 327 outside the control of BMW, which forced BMW to take legal action, stripping all association with them from any subsequent 327 models built. These 327 were eventually given the name EMW (Eisenacher Motoren Werke) and badged with red and white roundel emblems.

If this is indeed a 1953, it would probably be a EMW by that point, right?

The 327 featured an straight 6-cylinder engine powered the rear wheels. The brakes, gearbox, clutch and suspension were all hydraulic. Top speed was around 78 mph.

The seller of this example states a 2.0-liter carbureter inline 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission from the 70s or 80s was added, so the original engine is not present, sadly. Fortunately, the new power plant will hopefully give the car a nice boost for the relatively low curb weight of 2,400 lbs. The seller also states a modern relay board and instrumentation was added.

The seller also mentions the car hasn't been driven lately and "needs everything". Cosmetically, the say the top frame is present under the cover. They say the floors are rusty but the rest of the body is pretty good. Still, they concede "the car looks much better in the pictures than it is". How's that for honesty?

These are extremely rare vehicles. Not many were made, some were probably destroyed during the war, and more have probably bitten the dust in more than half a century since then. And how many have made it here? At first I thought this was a well-executed kit car, but it could be the genuine article that just needs a lot of expensive sorting.

Available here on ebay in Purcellville, Virginia with bidding at $10,300.