Restored 1963 Volkswagen Sunroof Coupe

Year:	1963
Make:	Volkswagen
Model:	Sunroof Coupe
Vin:	5259087
Price:	$17,900

1963 Volkswagen Beetle with

Factory Fabric Sunroof

Volkswagen’s sales surged with the introduction of the 1963 Deluxe model, driven, no doubt, by its $1565 MSRP (and for another $100 one could buy the sunroof model). How far we’ve come in valuing these German “people’s cars”: today Hagerty values a #1 Concours ’63 VW at $76,100!
Ours—even with the optional sunroof and a number of upgrades—is priced somewhat less . . . $17,900!

And what are those upgrades to a car that looks almost showroom fresh:

Front disc brakes
Replacement engine of greater displacement and horsepower
12-volt conversion
Complete array of instruments, including tachometer
Close ratio shifter
Ride height adjuster
Modern Alpine radio (AM, FM, CD)

Nice from Top to Bottom

Paint and Body

The quality of the Dark Gray respray almost makes you think you’re in the showroom at the VW dealership back in 1963. And with a factory sunroof, this VW model was second only to the convertible in terms of price.

The chrome and stainless trim are in excellent condition.

The underside of this is Beetle appears clean (see pictures) with just some surface rust visible.

Interior

The interior is clean and fresh-looking.

The sunroof top is in nice condition and, when open, provides a panoramic view not achieved by the small metal sunroofs that followed.

The front ride height can be readily adjusted with a hand tool to change the stance of the car.

Engine

The original engine has been replaced by a rebuilt ‘70’s era unit that provides a lot more power than the 1200cc motor that the car first came with.

Transmission

The car’s 4-speed manual transmission works smoothly. It has a Gene Berg short-throw shifter that prevents accidental shifts into reverse and reduces the throw distance of the shifter by 40%, making cruising around town an enjoyable trip.

Brakes

The brakes on the VW have been modernized by their conversion to disc brakes on the front.

An Outstanding Example of the

final year of VW’s original Sunroof Beetles

There is one word that can best describe this 1963 Beetle: Neat! Great paint, excellent upholstery, nice sunroof–all of which make this classic Volkswagen a fun car to drive as well as a sound investment. And with Summer right around the corner, what could be more fun than opening the top and taking a spin in the countryside?

What can’t be quantified is the feeling one gets when sitting behind the wheel of this unique car that many of us owned and all who did, wish we still owned!