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1955 Volkswagen Beetle Karmann Kabriolett, Rare Early Vw Convertible on 2040-cars

Year:1955 Mileage:0
Location:

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

 This 1955 Beetle convertible left the Karmann factory on May 11, 1955 and was imported into Competition Motors of Hollywood, California.  It spent 58 years in California until I brought it East last year.  The car has its original floor pans, although the common patch was made under the battery at some point in the cars life.  1955 was a year of many changes and this example has many of the early VW features including, ribbed doors, batwing steering wheel, 2 year only rare strap over air cleaner, single tail pipe muffler,  roller gas pedal and many others.
The engine is not the original, however it is a correct 36 hp dated 1958.  Brakes were upgraded to larger drums for confident and assured stopping.  Tires are like new Coker classic wide whites on original rims with early nos trim rings.  This car runs and drives beautifully.  Transmission shifts perfectly, no slips or pop-outs.  It is only driven to local car shows and on an occasional sunny weekend.  Cars true mileage is unknown and it is still the original 6 volt.

This solid California classic has been repainted at some point in its life, and the paint shines beautifully, although there are several small road chips from over the years.  Interior was also restored at some point and the top is excellent black stayfast canvas. German square weave carpet is brand new in the correct color with correct 2 year only oval aluminum heater grommets. Floors and rear luggage area have been insulated before carpeting.   Much time and money has been sourcing several of  the rare, convertible only NOS parts you see on the car including foxcraft style steel fender skirts, locking trunk release, under dash interior 3 way dome switch (dome light still needed) rare NOS dash grab handle, re-chromed ribbed door and window handles, convertible only flip rear view mirror and dual smoked sun visors, a fully restored VDO in dash clock and grill,  as well as the before stated strap over air cleaner, and a perfect reproduced trunk liner assembled as original.

Some specifics on the body of the car...The front apron is original and the car appears to have never been in a serious accident.  Rocker panels are solid original on both sides. The rear apron has been replaced at some point.  The W deck lid with rain channels is the original.  Floor pans are original and have been cleaned and painted. Even though the front hood is not the original it looks fantastic, however a 4-tab hood is included with the sale.  Many other parts are also included with the sale including correct windshield replacement rubber with chrome moulding, replacement side window rubber and chrome mouldings as well as other miscellaneous parts. Rear 1/4 window chrome is original and showing its age.  Sale also includes a set of correct convertible only replacement steel support rails.

While not a perfect show car, this rare early Karmann Kabriolett is a very worthy specimen indeed.  It draws a crowd wherever it's at.  At a recent show I had more onlookers than a rare mint condition Plymouth Superbird displayed 2 cars away!  The early beetle convertibles continue to rise in value as so few are still around.  This early VW kabriolett is sold as is with no warranty and seller reserves the right to end this auction early as the car is listed for sale locally.  

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Auto blog

Anti-UAW VW workers move to form own union

Sat, 30 Aug 2014

The struggle over unionization at the Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, TN, continues to get more complicated. There's now a second union fighting to organize at the plant; although this one is staunchly against the actions of the United Auto Workers. At the same time, the UAW is still signing up voluntary members to its recently created Local 42 at the facility and is reportedly near having a majority of the hourly employees on its side.
The new, anti-UAW union campaign is being spearheaded by employee Mike Burton, according to Reuters, and he calls his group the American Council of Employees. He claims to already have 108 signatures in support of his organization. Burton believes that the UAW is harmful to businesses, and his goal is to force another vote to determine a preferred union among workers.
The UAW was initially defeated (712 to 626) when it attempted a union vote at the Tennessee plant in February. However, UAW secretary-treasurer Gary Casteel told Reuters that Local 42 has already signed up over 700 members. If it can reach a majority of the roughly 1,500 employees, the group hopes VW might consider recognizing it as the factory's union.

Anti-union group files lawsuit against VW and UAW

Fri, 14 Mar 2014

The fight for unionization at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, TN, factory isn't letting up. Yesterday, the National Labor Relations Board decided to allow anti-United Auto Workers employees at the plant the right to defend voting down the measure. Now, a group called the National Right to Work Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of five workers against VW and the UAW for allegedly working together to organize.
The group says in a release that it wants "to block further collusion between the company and the United Auto Workers." It alleges that VW forced workers to attend "mandatory pro-union meetings" and prevented managers from opposing. In a rebuttal on its website, the UAW called the claims "baseless" and said its actions were entirely legal.
One possible problem faces the carmaker in regards to the lawsuit. According to the Detroit Free Press, a recent US Court of Appeals ruling found that neutrality agreements like the one the business had with the UAW could be illegal if the company provided "things of value" to the union. The newspaper also claims that VW held a mandatory employee meeting concerning the election, but workers were free to leave during the UAW's presentation.

Tanner Foust checks out his new VW Beetle GRC rally car

Thu, 11 Sep 2014

Racing driver and Top Gear USA host Tanner Foust is a very busy guy. After all, he's competing in rounds of both Global Rallycross series and FIA World Rallycross Championship, not to mention his TV duties. However, we probably shouldn't feel too sorry for him, because his job puts him behind the wheel of some truly crazy machinery.
Case in point is his latest ride in Global Rallycross - the Volkswagen Beetle GRC. The German company claims that this all-wheel drive Bug makes around 540 horsepower from its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and can shoot to 60 in under 2 seconds. Plus, if this video is any indication, this Volkswagen sounds like a machine gun when throwing revs at idle, and it can do some wonderfully easy four-wheel drifts.
Previously, Foust was driving a VW Polo for Andretti Autosport in GRC, but the team unveiled the look of the Beetle GRC at the Chicago Auto Show. Now, Foust is finally getting to show off his new office to the public, and like VW's tagline for the new car claims, it's way hotter than Herbie.