• Year of manufacture 
    1951
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    r0034
  • Reference number 
    MU24_r0034
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    Germany
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Munich event, 23 November 2024.

  • Rare and desirable early ‘Split-Window’ Type 1 Beetle
  • Completed by the factory in February 1951 and delivered new to Baden-Baden, Germany
  • Powered by its matching-numbers 1.1-litre engine, rated for 25 horsepower
  • Accompanied by a certificate issued by Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen to verify its authenticity
  • Ready to be driven in its current form; a prime contender for restoration

The double-pane window that frames the rear profile of the Volkswagen Beetle offered here denotes an earlier example from the model’s lengthy run. After series production began in 1945, some 21.5 million Beetles were sold worldwide, making it the most popular car made from a single platform of all time. While Volkswagen made constant revisions and updates to the earliest versions of the Type 1, the introduction of the one-piece ‘Oval’ rear window for models made from March 1953 onwards marked a major change to clearly differentiate the earlier ‘Split-Window’ cars (called “Brezel-Käfer” in Germany) which are coveted by collectors.

This car was built on 9 February 1951 and left the factory days later, noted as 14 February. The Volkswagen was originally finished in Black and destined for Volkswagen-Partner Gerstenmaier of Baden-Baden, Germany. Though the car’s history for the following decades is not known, it is thought that the Beetle was repainted in “Panzergrau” for an on-screen film appearance in the 1980s. The car joined The Aumann Collection in June 2013, when it was acquired by the consignor at a French auction.

Purchased in a poor condition, Mr Aumann made attempts to begin this car’s restoration (invoices are available to view on file for cosmetic and mechanical repairs). While the Volkswagen can be driven and enjoyed in its current form, the car does still require finishing work to get to a good standard.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu24/.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070