Volkswagen has sold over 21 million Beetles worldwide, but among them, one model stands out as unique. A special example from California has been sold at auction for a whopping $335, the highest price ever achieved for a Beetle and, quite possibly, for any Volkswagen.
The story of this vehicle begins in 1969, when American Volkswagen importer John van Neumann hired the Troutman-Barnes coachbuilder on the West Coast of the United States to completely restore a standard Beetle. The result was a luxurious stretch sedan that cost about $35 at the time — far more than the Lamborghini Miura, one of the most exclusive cars of the period.
The car is equipped with a 1.6-liter engine and two Weber carburetors. The car caused a sensation when it debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and later gained great popularity in Hollywood. It is said that the famous actor John Wayne was driven to the Oscars ceremony in this Beetle.
At the start of the auction, much lower bids were expected, but collectors and enthusiasts raised the price beyond all expectations. In this way, van Neumann’s luxury project has become an automotive curiosity and to this day remains the most expensive Volkswagen in history.