1958 Volkswagen Beetle 1600 'Enhanced' Sedan

Description

The story of the original Volkswagen Beetle is well known - from the original design brief to create cheap, reliable transport for the German masses, it evolved through a myriad of production changes and variations to stay in production for more than five decades. And that does not include the later Golf-based ‘retro’ Beetle. The original Beetle "People's Car" created by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and his team became the most successful automobile of all time, with no less than 20 million units produced. Although the basic concept remained unchanged over the years - all Beetles retained the air-cooled flat four-cylinder motor located behind the rear axle - the model underwent constant refining and each year saw various small improvements take place. In 1957 the Beetle underwent its most significant revisions yet, with a redesigned body appearing in August that year. Both front and rear windscreens were considerably enlarged to improve outward vision, along with a modified engine lid. The dashboard was revised with the optional radio now located in a central position, plus a larger glovebox and – from September 1957 – additional soundproofing for a quieter ride. Volkswagen’s Beetles from the 1950s era are generally regarded as the most desirable, having been made to a very high standard and command a substantial premium over later examples. The Beetle is a perfect classic car for the modern era – cheap to run and maintain, fun to drive and with a universal popularity few other automobiles can lay claim to.