1963 Volkswagen Beetle Model For Sale

If you looked at the outside of the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, you’d believe it looked exactly like every other Beetle made in the previous ten years or so, and that not much had changed — and you’d be right.

The ’63 Bug received only a few minor changes, the most of which were not discernible to the naked eye.

The engine’s fan housing, as well as the muffler and heat exchanger, were all rebuilt.

A folding handle was added to the optional sunroof, and the heating system was updated.

The 1963 VW Beetle kit also included new floor mats and window guides.

But, in the early 1960s, the Beetle was doing well, so why would VW beetle want to meddle with a good thing?

A 40-horsepower, four-cylinder, 1200cc (1.2-liter) aluminum-magnesium engine, a four-speed transmission, independent front suspension, and telescopic shock absorbers were all standard on the base Beetle.

Standard features included sun visors, coat hooks, assistance straps, an automated windshield washer, an overhead light, and luggage space under the front hood and in a three-foot carpeted compartment behind the back seat.

In addition, the super Beetle was a unique vehicle that was enjoyable to drive, cost little to operate, and was simple to repair.

And how could you possibly make this classic car better?

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Volkswagen

What year did the VW Bug make its debut?

In 1938, the first Beetles rolled off the assembly lines.

In the 1960s, their popularity grew in the United States.

Volkswagen decided to create its first manufacturing plant in North America to meet the demand.

The Bug’s Life And History

The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the oldest automobile and classic vehicle nameplates still in use today.

The Bug was sold in the United States from 1950 to 1979, with sales resuming in 1998 with the introduction of a new variant.

The small VW’s history, on the other hand, dates back to 1934, when serious development work began in Germany.

The first batch of completed cars was born in 1938, only to be taken into Germany’s war effort and later bombed to near-oblivion.

After manufacture was restarted to provide ground transportation for Allied occupying soldiers, European civilians wouldn’t get their hands on the automobile until 1947.

Imports from the US grew from a trickle in the early 1950s to a flood a decade later, with 21 million Beetles sold globally.

Even after sales in the United States halted in 1979, the automobile was still made and marketed in Mexico and Brazil.

Little has changed about the Beetle over the years; the car’s first major redesign didn’t happen until 1998.

Other countries that assembled Beetles from CKD (complete knockdown kits) were Ireland, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Yugoslavia (city of Sarajevo), and Nigeria.

There were numerous distinctions between the beetles generated in Mexico and Brazil.

Introduction Into International Markets

Ireland

Volkswagen’s presence in Ireland began in 1949, when Stephen O’Flaherty’s Motor Distributors Limited was awarded the country’s franchise at the Paris Motor Show.

Volkswagen Beetles began arriving in Dublin in 1950, packaged in crates and ready to be constructed as “completely knocked down” (CKD) vehicles.

The cars were assembled at 162 Shelbourne Road in Ballsbridge, in a disused tram depot.

This was the location of Ballsbridge Motors, a Mercedes-Benz dealership, as of 2021.

It was here that the first Volkswagen was assembled outside of Germany.

The Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg presently has this automobile on exhibit.

United Kingdom

John Colborne-Baber began importing modest numbers of Beetles in 1952, primarily to meet the demand of US Air Force soldiers stationed in Kent.

The Volkswagen franchises for Guildford and Walton-on-Thames are still held by Colborne Garages today.

J. Gilder & Co. was established in 1953.

Beetles were first sold by Sheffield’s Ltd. When Jack Gilder saw a Beetle in Belgium during WWII, he was enthralled by both the design and engineering.

He applied for the franchise as soon as the opportunity arose, and became Volkswagen’s representative in the North of England.

JCT600 bought out the Gilder Group in 2013.

Japan

The Type 1 was released in Japan in 1953, and Yanase dealerships imported it.

Its outside dimensions and engine displacement were within Japanese government guidelines, which aided sales.

After the Beetle was offered in Japan, several Japanese vehicles were introduced, some with an air-cooled engine and rear mounting, such as the Subaru 360, and others with a front-mounted engine, such as the Honda N360, Suzuki Fronte, and Mitsubishi Minica.

Technical Specifications and Dimensions for the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle

Features:

• Rear Engine Placement
• Rear-wheel drive
• Unitized steel body and chassis
• Series production dates range from 1938 to 1980.
• Price ranges up to $1,600 to $2,100
• Weighing 725.748 kg | 1600 pounds

Power:

• 4 | Light alloy finned cylinders in opposition
• 1192 cc | 72.7 cu in. displacement 1.2 liters
• At 3900 RPM, the engine produces 40 horsepower (29.44 KW).
• 64 ft-lbs (87 NM) torque At 2400 RPM
• 3.0 in | 77 mm bore
• 2.5 in | 64 mm stroke
• 7.0:1 compression
• 4 main bearings
• Block and head are made of light alloy.
• 1-barrel Solex carburetor
• Transmission has 4 Manuals on wheels

Figures of Production

• In 1963, Volkswagen produced 891,521 vehicles.
• Volkswagen Beetle, 1963

Parts Dimensions

Sedan

• 10.8 gallons of fuel capacity
• Seating Capacity: 4 people
• 2 door panels
• Exterior
• 160.6 in | 4079 mm in length
• 62.4 in | 1585 mm in width
• 1501 mm | 59.1 in in height
• 94.5 in | 2400 mm wheelbase

Convertible/Upgrade Sedan

• $2,100 in pricing
• 1700 pounds | 771.107 kilograms
• 10.8 gallons of fuel capacity
• Seating Capacity: 4 people
• 2 door panels
• Exterior
• 160.6 in | 4079 mm in length
• 62.4 in | 1585 mm in width
• 1501 mm | 59.1 in in height
• 94.5 in | 2400 mm wheelbase

Sedan with Sunroof

• $1,700 in pricing
• Weight: 725.748 kg | 1600 pounds
• 10.8 gallons of fuel capacity
• Seating Capacity: 4 people
• 2 door panels
• Exterior
• 160.6 in | 4079 mm in length
• 62.4 in | 1585 mm in width
• 1501 mm | 59.1 in in height
• 94.5 in | 2400 mm wheelbase

Handling

Suspension

• Rear suspension on front has transverse torsion bars and upper/lower trailing arms, as well as kingpins.
• Swing axles with trailing arms and torsion bars at the rear

Steering

• Roller and Worm
• 2.60 turns lock to lock

The diameter of the turning circle is 9.6 meters (377.991 inches).

9600.971 mm x 9600.971 mm x 9600.971 mm

Averages from 1963

• Avg. $3,233 for a car
• Avg. $5,807 in household income
• Avg. $12,650 for a house
• Avg. $0.29 per gallon of gas

The 1963 Volkswagen Beetle has a wheelbase of 94.50 inches and measures 62.40 inches in width.

It also measures 160.60 inches in length.

Vehicles of Comparable Dimensions

• Felicia, a 1959 Skoda

Similar 40.00 HP/Weight Ratio

• Volvo S80 2014
• Renault 16 in 1967
• Citroen 2CV Charleston, 1966
• Volkswagen Beetle 1200, 1965
• Volkswagen Beetle 1200, 1964
• Volkswagen Beetle, 1963
• Turner 803 from 1959
• Turner 803 from 1957
• Turner 803 from 1956
• Turner 803 from 1955
• Daimler DE36, 1948
• Dodge Model MC Half-Ton, 1937
• Volvo PV 52, 1937
• Packard Model 1402 Eight, 1936
• Cadillac Model 370-D Series 40, 1935
• Stutz SV-16, 1932
• Essex Super Six Model E, 1931
• Nash Series 490, 1930
• Pierce Arrow Model 80, 1926

Classiccars.com Top 3 1963 Volkswagen Beetle for Sale

1. 1963 Volkswagen Beetle in Englewood, Colorado ($22,900)

Description of the Vehicle

• A beautifully restored 1963 VW Beetle
• I4 1200cc engine
• Manual 4-speed transmission
• There is a sunroof on this vehicle.
• A cargo rack has been added to the back of the vehicle.
• 6V electrical system in factory style
• Fuel level indicator
• An extra tire

2. 1963 Volkswagen Beetle in Springfield, Massachusetts ($19,900)

Description of the Vehicle

This VW Hot Rod is a lot of fun to drive. It drives, steers, and handles beautifully!

The engine is professionally made, with a displacement of 2017cc and the highest quality speed parts possible.

The trans axle is a custom-built device that should be capable of handling any amount of power you can throw at it. The body and floor pan have been rotisserie repaired and look fantastic.

The interior has been tastefully decorated with plush seats, gauges, a Gene Berg shifter, a Tachometer with shift light, and more.

The restoration tale of this beetle was featured on the cover of VW Trends magazine.

All of our vehicles are exclusively available for viewing by appointment.

To schedule an appointment or ask any inquiries, please call 413-519-0716.

3. 1963 Volkswagen Beetle in Atlanta, Georgia ($19,900)

Description of the Vehicle

This 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, done in Ruby Red with a platinum (off-white) interior, is for sale at Motorcar Studio.

This Beetle was originally from Oak Harbor, Washington, and was relocated to Atlanta in 1998 by its current passionate owner, who then repaired it in the summer of 2006.

The automobile comes with a photo album detailing the repair.

A 1200cc flat four coupled to a four-speed manual transaxle is stowed neatly behind the engine lid. The motor starts and runs smoothly, and the gearbox goes through all speeds smoothly.

The brakes have recently been serviced, ensuring even and responsive stopping.

This meticulously maintained Beetle provides a pleasurable driving experience.

With color-matched wheels and a white welt between the body and the fenders, the Ruby Red paint is polished to a competent driver’s standard.

The brightwork and chrome bumpers are in good condition.

The back fenders have VW brand mud flaps, and the headlamps have a pair of eyebrows.

The platinum interior was replaced throughout the restoration, yet it looks as if it was fitted just yesterday.

Red color-coordinated lap belts are a nice touch, and the latches have the same Wolfsburg crest as the horn button and hood.

Please call 404-692-5250 for additional information on this 1963 Volkswagen Beetle for sale at Motorcar Studio in Atlanta.

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