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Volkswagen Typ1 Bubbla 15A Zwitter Cabriolet 1200 cc — 1953

Once in a lifetime opportunity? Only 26 known specimens in the world. Moreover, this Zwitter is sold new in Sweden.

Mathias Casserlund
Besiktningsman
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Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
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"The car gives a good overall impression and feels solid. Equipped with several exclusive and interesting accessories for its time. The car functions excellent in its current condition. Those who want the car in an exact condition as when it left the factory need to replace some parts. For safer use in modern traffic, additional turn signal equipment is recommended."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
ENDED
579 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
15831
ÅMÅL
RESERVE PRICE
Reached
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Mathias Casserlund
Inspector
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Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
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"The car gives a good overall impression and feels solid. Equipped with several exclusive and interesting accessories for its time. The car functions excellent in its current condition. Those who want the car in an exact condition as when it left the factory need to replace some parts. For safer use in modern traffic, additional turn signal equipment is recommended."

Description

From the start, we can establish that it is an extremely rare car. This variant of Volkswagen was manufactured during the transition between split and oval rear windows, between October 1952 and March 1953. It is called Zwitter, which means "hybrid" in German. Today, there are only 26 known examples of the Zwitter cabriolet in the whole world.

The car was manufactured in December 1952 and was sold new in Sweden in 1953. Since 1981, it has been in the same family. Within the family, there has always been a great interest and knowledge about Volkswagen's older vehicles. The Zwitter was renovated in the early 1980s and was completed in 1986. Since then, it has been cautiously used for vintage car gatherings and exhibitions.

During the restoration of the car, some parts were sourced from a newer Volkswagen in a few cases. These parts come from a donor car and are listed below. Some parts are so similar that only Zwitter experts can identify the difference.

In the past decade, the car has barely left the garage. In preparation for the owner's personal reasons for selling the car, it has undergone extensive servicing and inspection. It has passed the Swedish vehicle inspection and is approved. According to vintage car regulations, it is now exempt from inspection. The odometer reads 36910 km. The original instruction manual is missing.

Technical data

  • Year
    1953/1953 
  • Registration date
    1953-01-01 
  • Mileage
    36911 km 
  • Kw / hp
    18 / 24 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl 
  • Colour
    Green 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Equipped with a 4-cylinder 1200cc air-cooled boxer engine. The engine was manufactured in May 1952 and has a stated output of 24 hp.

    In good mechanical condition, with a well-functioning engine, gearbox, chassis, and brakes. The engine starts easily and runs smoothly. The gearbox feels good, with no strange noises. During the test drive, the car feels stable and holds the road well. New diagonal tires with white sidewalls, Firestone 5.60-15, were mounted in 2009. An older Firestone is fitted on the spare wheel. Equipped with a battery cut-off switch and fire extinguisher. Original 6-volt electrical system and functioning turn signals.

  • Interior condition:

    The interior gives a good impression. Not original upholstery, but in nice condition. Nice accessories like the clock, hat rack, and the special signal ring on the steering wheel.

  • Exterior condition:

    The car gives a good exterior impression. It has been repainted in a shade similar to the original paint job, which was done in the 1980s. There are minor bubbles, paint chips, and scratches in the underlying base. The chrome is in good condition, but newer than the car. See comment below. The convertible top is in okay condition, but not original. It was sewn up in the 1980s. We believe the fabric headliner may be the original one. The rear window has been replaced with a newer plastic one. The original rear window is included, see separate picture.

  • General condition:

    Very nice car with some remarks. Some parts are not original design.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 1986-01-15 (Konvert)
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1953-01-01 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1953-01-01
Senast godkända besiktning: 2023-03-23
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 10

Owner's comment

Inspection and test drive have been conducted in collaboration with Volkswagen expert Mathias Fahlke. He has also performed extensive servicing and conducted a technical inspection of the vehicle. He has helped us create a list of parts that come from a newer car from 1954-55. TECHNICAL: Fuel pump, air filter, intake manifold, generator, voltage regulator, and ignition coil. INTERIOR: Rearview mirror/sunshade, ignition lock, and luggage lock/opening mechanism. EXTERIOR: Side moldings, hood handle/lock, left ventilation window, and headlights. BODY PANELS: Front hood, fenders, rear and front aprons, spare wheel well, rear cargo floor, and right and left floor halves. Previous repairs observed during a visual inspection: Front and rear wheel arches regarding body mounts and bumper mounts. Cab reinforcements under and beside the rear seat. Front wheel arch and quarter panel.

Facts about the model

Zwitter is German for hybrid. The model is called so because it is a wonderful blend of old and new. It is a intermediate model that was only built for just under half a year, from autumn 1952 to spring 1953. The model has many new features such as the new dashboard that is associated with the oval models, as well as the new bumpers. However, it retains the old look with a split rear window, but in a modernized version with a chrome trim around the windows. This mixture of new details, where most have been changed to an oval design, but the old split rear window remains, has puzzled many. Why did VW do this for a few months of production? This makes the model version a hot collector's item. Even hotter if it is a cabriolet. There are only 26 known remaining Zwitter cabrios in the whole world.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Åmål

For viewing the vehicle, contact the valuator/depot:

Mathias Casserlund

mathias.casserlund@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2023-06-07.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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