Karmann was the exclusive body manufacture for Volkswagen in 1957, producing 8043 convertible models in 1957. This stunning original car in rare Inca Red has special order leatherette interior and still retains its original paint, interior and its original top and boot. Purchased new on October 22, 1956. It was delivered in Cologne as part of VW's European Delivery program on December 18, 1956. Upon being driven 171 miles in Europe, it was delivered via the SS Ludwigsburg to the Port of Charleston, South Carolina on March 11, 1957. The Original owners kept the car at their winter home in South Carolina and drove it sparingly. The car was purchased from the original owner's estate in 1987 with 37,000 original miles on the odometer. The original owners kept all of the shipping records, owners’ manuals and inserts, maintenance records and even the envelopes they were mailed in. Included was all documentation back to new, including a color photo of the car dated April 13, 1957! Current original mileage is 49,100 as shown on the odometer.
This is an exceptional example of an early cabriolet. This is probably one of the most heavily documented Volkswagens you will ever find. Volkswagens started the march across America in 1950 when a Chicago car distributor sold 330 cars. On February 17th, 1972, the Beetle officially became the biggest-selling car of all time (15,007,034 units) taking over the mantle from Ford's Legendary Model T. This car can be found today in the My Garage Museum, and occasionally with Mike Yager behind the wheel for a spring air drive.
