1998 Volkswagen Beetle Pickup
For consignment, a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle pickup. That's right, we said pickup. This fully customized Beetle is also a useful little truck drawing from more vintage examples by adding faux patina. Our consignor emphatically states that this is not a kit, rather a purpose built custom Bug with a functional tailgate, sliding window, and fold down rear panel to allow for lumber and other oversized items to fit and the best part is that is comes to our Hallowed Halls with a mere 57,016 title verified actual miles on the odometer.
Exterior
Tornado Red with black stripes on the hood starts off a relatively normal looking front end but still resembles an emoji with that smiling hood line and droopy eyelid pieces over the headlights that complete the relaxed grin. A mesh style grille is flanked by fog lights and the black surround wraps the front end for a low profile fascia, and our first glimpse of faux rust appears on the plastic bumper cover. As we pass the flat black painted roof, we note the stripes continue onto the locking bed cover, free of rust, but the body side panels, B-pillars, and rear bumper show some heavy faux rust, as if this car was put away wet then exposed to sun. The Nissan Juke tail lights are perfectly sculpted into the rear fenders and the black rear valance houses a pair of exhaust tips. The patriotic rear window has American flags flanking a 13 star 1776 emblem on a sliding window just under a third brake light. 16-inch black Motegi wheels complement the car and have a red stripe and a VW center cap. More "rust" on the A-pillar and door frame got our attention and we almost missed the vinyl side mirror bras. Imperfections include numerous touched up chips, random scratches in the red paint, paint drips and some scrapes on the fascia lip.
Interior
Custom door panels combine red, black and gray and look great while the bucket seats are original but have custom red inserts surrounded by red stitched gray and black. Attention to detail and personalization continues with the steering wheel which has an embroidered red VW insignia and the gauge cluster has a red stitched leather lining under a black cloth dash cover. A touch screen is in the center connected to the AM/FM/CD radio with Apple CarPlay, GPS, DVD, back up camera, and Nav. More red stitched leather covers the T-shifter, parking brake handle, and armrest housed in a molded gray plastic center console. Low pile black carpet covers the floor looking great, and a solid black headliner completes the cozy cabin. The bed is lined with gray flannel panels and has a cargo net for smaller items. You might not get plywood sheets in here, but with the pass through, you'll get some extra room.
Drivetrain
A 2-liter DOHC inline 4 cylinder engine is under the hood and puts out 114 horsepower. We've been informed that 02 sensors have recently been replaced. It is fuel injected and tied to a 4-speed automatic transmission keeping power at the front wheels and 4.53 gears. All four wheels are equipped with power disc brakes and our consignor states they are new. Visually, the engine bay is very clean.
Undercarriage
Surface rust here and there, (not the faux kind), with some pitting on the control arms, but nothing invasive. Essentially clean and dry otherwise. The single exhaust travels the length of the car where it enters a large muffler and then exits via two tailpipes. Suspension consists of MacPherson struts on the front and coil springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
It's not unlike driving a standard New Beetle, other than the rear window being right over your shoulder, pickup truck style! The car runs just fine and has improved visibility due to the chop and the new brakes work very well.
Beetles have always been fun to drive and this one is no exception. Sure, it's got a small bed, but we don't think you'll be hauling cinder blocks in its soft lined bed. But this car is an instant show car. Want to watch people smile, park this at your local car show and let the questions begin! This is definitely one of a kind and not many show cars can say that! If a Volkswagen, a Juke, and Ford F150 had a baby, this VeeDub would be the offspring.
3VWBB61C0WM012652
3-Mexico
V-Volkswagen
W-Passenger Car
B-New Beetle GL
B-2.0 Liter 115hp I4
6-Manual Belts, Front & Side Airbags
1C-New Beetle
0-Check Digit
W-1998
M-Puebla, Mexico Assy Plant
012652-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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