1985 | Volkswagen Escarabajo 1200 L

Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Empty weight: 780 kg
Carrying capacity: 400 kg
GVW: 1.180 kg
Dimensions (LxBxH): 4030 x 1550 x 1500 cm
Number of seats: 4

Model 1511. 34 hp, 1,192 cc OHV horizontally mounted four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, independent torsion bar suspension front and rear, and hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels. Wheelbase: 2,400 mm

The introduction of the water-cooled, front-engine Passat in 1973 marked an almost total turnaround for Volkswagen. Its smaller counterpart from 1974, the Golf, sealed the company's commitment to front-wheel drive cars, a genre that would become virtually universal worldwide.

The legendary Käfer, the air-cooled, rear-engine Beetle that had become the world's leading "world car", was not yet finished, however. Production continued in Germany until January 1978, after which all Beetles came from Brazil, where they had been produced since 1953, or Mexico, also since 1955. The very last Beetle left the Puebla, Mexico, plant in July 2003.

The declining demand for Beetles, as newer models became more popular, created an opportunity for creative marketing. Several special editions, never needed during the Beetle's golden years, were developed and built in limited numbers. The first was the Silver Bug, commemorating the 20 millionth Beetle built in Puebla, on May 15, 1981. A 1983 Aubergine Beetle was sent only to Europe, painted in Aubergine Metallic and fitted with matching upholstery. Also that year, the Ice Blue Beetle, with metallic paint in that fresh shade and blue-gray tweed "Panama" upholstery, was released - only in the German interior.

The Jubilee Edition Beetle, or 50 Jahre Käfer, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the model in 1985. Also available only in Germany, it featured Zinkgrau (Pewter) Metallic paint, green tinted glass, chrome bumpers and trim, a silver "50 years" badge on the left front quarter and hood, double white side stripes, 4.5Jx15 sports wheels with 165SR15 tires, a Braunschweig Brunswick radio, a padded dashboard, cloth upholstery with gray and red stripes, cloth and imitation leather headrests, a four-spoke sports steering wheel, gray headliner, gray carpet on the sills and rear luggage compartment, and a heated rear window. Only 3,150 were built.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most original Jubilee Editions in existence. With only 98 kilometers on the odometer, it was purchased in 1985 by its first owner and immediately stored for almost three decades. It has all the original equipment and features, including the Braunschweig Brunswick radio, sports steering wheel and heated rear window.

The ever iconic VW Beetle holds the record for the longest continuous production of a single design. This car offers a chance to acquire the rarest of the rare, one of 21.5 million: a nearly new example of one of the rarest Beetle models.