1968 Volkswagen Beetle – 2275cc – 4 SPD Manual – One Of A Kind RestoMod

Vehicle Location: Las Vegas, NV 89121
Auction Type: Reserve
Mileage: 68
Engine: 2275cc Dual Port
Transmission: 4 Speed Manual Overdrive
Exterior: Indian Red & Casmir
Interior: Saddle Tan
VIN: 118075917
Party: Private –
The seller is an authorized agent for the owner of the vehicle and is handling all inquiries.

1968 Volkswagen Beetle

In late 1967, this brand new 1968 Volkswagen left the showroom in San Diego with its first owner behind the wheel. It was as good as a new car produced by VW could be. In 2022, it emerged, reborn a modern reformation of the old car.

Now it is safe to say, THIS IS THE BEST 1968 VW BEETLE ON EARTH. That is a huge claim, but unless there is proof of a better specimen somewhere, this particular car stands alone as the best of its kind for dozens of reasons.

After being in San Diego County for 10 years, the Beetle was purchased by its second owner who brought it to Las Vegas. For the next 4 decades, it was proudly driven by a lady named Annie who proudly kept it in good operating condition, preferring to drive it instead of her modern air-conditioned car much of the time.

When age and infirmity forced her to give up driving a couple of years ago, it was purchased by the seller an expert custom auto builder and over the past year it was completely deconstructed, then precision built to be the best of the best.

Piece by piece, this VW has been made far superior to its original configuration a one of a kind RestoMod version of the original issue that is faster, safer, quieter, and more comfortable than it was long ago.

The rebuild of this wonderful brand new and improved 1968 Beetle is documented by over 300 photos, and a catalog of receipts for all of its new components attests to the special planning and execution of its rebirth. The story of its professional transition to a second life follows:

Bodywork: The body was separated from the floor pan and everything was removed from the body shell. After every nut, bolt, screw, doors, windows, hardware, trim, badges were removed, it was media blasted so that only the bare steel remained. No rust was found once several coats of paint were stripped.

Only minor dents were found and these were hammered smooth prior to a minimal application of skim coat to create a flawless body. After that, PPG epoxy primer was applied, followed by a liberal coat of PPG heavy base primer. When the primer coats were sanded smooth, PPG sealer prepared the body for several coats of the PPG Porsche (Indian) Red urethane finish coating a majority of the body components.

Then, the remainder of the Beetle received several coats of silky silver PPG Casmir urethane. Finally, the VW was coated four separate times with PPG clearcoat, each coat meticulously color sanded to a stunning high gloss finish. Before reassembly, the interior of the body was covered in DynaMat thermal and sound deadening insulation.

A complete new rubber kit was installed – door and window seals, hood seal, and body to pan gaskets. The windshield was replaced along with the trim and rubber for the rest of the windows.

Floor pan: The floor pan was completely disassembled of all parts removed. Like the body, the pan was media blasted to remove dirt, grime, paint and undercoating. At the point where the stock battery was located, a small area of rust was found. Rather than patch this small area, the builder replaced the floor section from the rear cross member to the seat runners.

The new section was MIG welded in place and the pan was coated with epoxy primer and three coats of black semi-gloss urethane paint was applied. Prior to reassembly with the body, new front suspension parts – ball joints, tie rod ends, steering box, and disk brakes were installed.

Then fresh rubber seals, new brake lines, master cylinder, and a new transaxle from Rancho Transmissions were installed. At this time, the emergency brake, clutch, heater control and throttle cables were replaced with new components.

The gear selector shaft was installed with new bushings, a polyurethane coupler, and EMPI short throw shifter. The pan was completely insulated to minimize the noxious engine noise so evident in a stock VW.

Engine: This Volkswagen starts its new life with a 2275cc engine built and tuned by SCAT in Southern California. This is a turn-key engine pretested, purchased pre-tuned and ready to install. It features a new engine case with main oil galleries drilled and tapped for easy clean out with twin oil pressure reliefs, shuffle pins installed in center main saddles, drilled and tapped for full flow oil filter, and clearance for an 86 mm stroke crankshaft.

Electrical: The stock wiring harness was replaced with a new harness configured for an alternator rather than the stock generator. Correct factory colored coded wiring was professionally loomed, oil pressure and voltmeter gauges, and oil temperature and an O2 sensors were added for better visibility of engine performance.

To eliminate the notoriously problematic stock 4 way flasher relay, a new later model relay was installed. Wiring was routed out of the way of any items placed in the luggage compartment, new battery cables, and multiple ground cables to ensure proper grounding of all electrical devises were added.

An electric fuel pump and fuel pump controller replaced the stock mechanical fuel pump. The new controller turns off the fuel pump once the engine stops running for 3 seconds, thus preventing the possibility of a fire in the event of an accident. Other new components include the ignition switch, turn signal switch, upper steering column bearing and horn connections.

New bulbs were installed in both the 4 way flasher switch and brake warning switch. An electric fan on the engine oil cooler is controlled by a thermal switch for its operation. A tachometer with shift light was also installed to round out the complete performance gauge package.

Interior: The original seating material was discarded, leaving only the springs and metal framework which were media blasted and painted to prevent rusting. New foam padding and substrate was installed, then a custom upholstery kit from TMI featuring a two tone smooth, durable vinyl fabric was installed.

New carpet padding and plush premium loop pile carpet give the cabin the original look of the interior of a 68 VW beetle, but much better comfort and noise reduction. A new white perforated head liner and padding kit, padded dash, new dash knobs, and an ivory colored steering wheel were installed to accent to the interior.

Painted surfaces were repainted to match the exterior finish. The pedals were recovered with new rubber pads, the speedometer was reconditioned and reset to zero by North Hollywood Speedometer, with new glass, instrument mechanism and chrome trim ring.

Transaxle: This Volkswagen is equipped with a new transaxle built by Rancho Transaxles of Southern California. It is a pro street swing setup with a 4 spider gear differential, heavy duty aluminum side cover, welded 3/4 hubs, steel shift forks. hardened keys, and a welded shaft. The original 4.12:1 gears were replaced with 3.89:1 gears for better high speed gearing and a final ratio of 0.89:1 ensures better mileage at freeway speeds.

It has a full flow high volume oil pump, additional 1.5 quart reinforced oil sump, forged Chromalloy flywheel, forged Chromalloy œH beam rods with ARP bolts. The high flow mini-D super-D wedge-port pro street cylinder heads are C&C ported with swirl polished intake and exhaust runners, dual valve springs and large 40mm intake and 37.5mm exhaust valves with Chromalloy retainers.

The cylinder heads are designed for an operating range of 2,000 to 6,000 rpm. A Kennedy 1700 psi multi-fingered clutch pressure plate with 180mm solid center hub, and a heavy duty throwout bearing. Augmented with an oversized, balanced and welded engine cooling fan, the engine is designed to run at nominal operating temperature in all conditions.

Dual 44 IDF Weber carburetors on offset aluminum manifolds are port matched with hex-bar linkage and K&N style air cleaners. The exhaust system is a custom built 1-5/8 inch merged sidewinder style system with an oxygen sensor, FlowMaster muffler, and matching heater boxes.

A remote oil cooler and remote oil filter were installed to keep the oil clean and cool. Fuel lines are custom made stainless steel with aircraft type AN fittings.

Suspension/Wheels/Tires: The front suspension was rebuilt with 2 dropped spindles, new ball joints, tie rod ends all new rubber seals and bearings. The rear suspension was disassembled, media blasted and painted and treated to all new rubber parts as well as new shocks all around, and the VW has new disk brakes fore and aft.

The AC. Industries brake kit features cast caliper brackets to replace stock pressed steel brackets and includes emergency braking. The Beetle has 15 X 5.5wide EMPI GT-8 (4×130) alloy rims. A staggered tire setup features stock sized front radial tires larger, wider rubber in the rear.

If only the best will do, maybe this beautiful Bug is for you. Over 700 manhours of detailed craftsmanship are exhibited by this incredible one-off Volkswagen.

It is being offered at a fraction of the cost to duplicate it. Yes, it is more expensive than most of the so-called restorations on the market, but it when compared to those vehicles, it is an exceptional bargain.

Remember, this car is ONE OF ONE. There won’t be another VW like this one anywhere you go. So, if unique is what you seek, and if high quality means more than just a dollar sign, maybe you will be the one who gets the keys. It comes with no apologies. None. It is that good. Thanks for considering it.