Volkswagen - Split window - 1950
12
days
10
hours
55
minutes
19
seconds
Current bid
€ 1,500
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Arjan Rietveld
Thirty years' experience with classic cars, specialising in Italian cars and Porsche.
Estimate € 40,000 - € 44,000
 | €1,500 | |
|---|---|---|
| €1,400 | |
 | €1,300 | |
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This 1950 Volkswagen Split Window is a numbers-matching saloon with a 1,130 cc petrol engine and manual gearbox.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Authentic 1950 Volkswagen 'Split Window' (Brezel) Saloon, originally registered in Porto, Portugal
• Documented Matching Numbers status verified by official factory Data Card and Volkswagen Certificate
• Sympathetically restored over a four-year period and finished in factory-correct L11 Pastel Green (Pastellgrün) by Glasurit
• Highly bespoke period-correct cloth interior handcrafted from original 1950 split-window donor fabrics
• Retains rare early-production features including 1,130 cc engine with early oil filler neck, 6-volt electrical system, genuine 'Split' logo headlights, driver-side sun visor, and original wooden fuel dipstick
HISTORY & OVERVIEW:
The Volkswagen Type 1, universally known as the 'Beetle' or 'Käfer', is one of the most significant and recognizable automotive designs in history, originally conceived by Ferdinand Porsche. Post-war civilian production began under British military supervision at the Wolfsburg plant, with early models featuring the iconic divided rear window, known colloquially in Germany as the 'Brezelkäfer' (Pretzel Beetle) and elsewhere as the 'Split Window'. These early post-war saloons are celebrated among collectors for their purity of line, mechanical simplicity, and historical importance. This particular example was first registered in Porto, Portugal, in 1950, where it remained unmolested under its original custodian for decades before being imported to Spain by its current owner. The vehicle’s technical specification, production date, and numbers-matching status are formally documented via an official factory Data Card and Volkswagen Certificate.
EXTERIOR:
The steel bodywork was subjected to a four-year restoration that utilized a specialized, gentle chemical stripping process to eradicate corrosion while preserving original sheet metal integrity. The coachwork was finished in factory-specified L11 Pastel Green (Pastellgrün) by Glasurit, matching its Data Card records. Exterior period-correct details include genuine 'Split' headlamp lenses with the early Volkswagen logo, factory rear taillight screws and hardware, and model-specific 1950 genuine wheel hubcaps.
INTERIOR:
The cabin has been trimmed using genuine period-correct cloth sections sourced exclusively from two original 1950 Split Window donor vehicles, assembled by a specialist trimmer in Argentina and installed in Spain. Factory-correct details include the period-specific driver-only individual sun visor and the rare original wooden fuel dipstick used for manual fuel level checks. Because the original ignition and door keys were lost during storage, the ignition cylinder was bypassed for mechanical testing, and a replacement key set is needed.
MECHANICS:
The vehicle is powered by its overhauled, numbers-matching 1,130 cc 24 bhp four-cylinder engine, retaining the correct early-production oil filler neck design. Power is delivered through the original factory manual gearbox. The vehicle maintains its authentic 6-volt electrical system and factory hydraulic braking architecture. While the starter motor functions properly and the engine turns over smoothly, the vehicle has been dry-stored since restoration without road use and will require standard recommissioning and routine servicing prior to road use.
DOCUMENTS:
The vehicle is accompanied by the official Volkswagen factory Data Card and definitive Volkswagen Certificate, verifying original production specifications and matching numbers status.
The vehicle can be viewed and collected. Bids do not include transportation or export costs, unless otherwise stated. Transport arrangements, transfer of ownership, and any applicable export or registration documentation fees are the buyer's responsibility.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Authentic 1950 Volkswagen 'Split Window' (Brezel) Saloon, originally registered in Porto, Portugal
• Documented Matching Numbers status verified by official factory Data Card and Volkswagen Certificate
• Sympathetically restored over a four-year period and finished in factory-correct L11 Pastel Green (Pastellgrün) by Glasurit
• Highly bespoke period-correct cloth interior handcrafted from original 1950 split-window donor fabrics
• Retains rare early-production features including 1,130 cc engine with early oil filler neck, 6-volt electrical system, genuine 'Split' logo headlights, driver-side sun visor, and original wooden fuel dipstick
HISTORY & OVERVIEW:
The Volkswagen Type 1, universally known as the 'Beetle' or 'Käfer', is one of the most significant and recognizable automotive designs in history, originally conceived by Ferdinand Porsche. Post-war civilian production began under British military supervision at the Wolfsburg plant, with early models featuring the iconic divided rear window, known colloquially in Germany as the 'Brezelkäfer' (Pretzel Beetle) and elsewhere as the 'Split Window'. These early post-war saloons are celebrated among collectors for their purity of line, mechanical simplicity, and historical importance. This particular example was first registered in Porto, Portugal, in 1950, where it remained unmolested under its original custodian for decades before being imported to Spain by its current owner. The vehicle’s technical specification, production date, and numbers-matching status are formally documented via an official factory Data Card and Volkswagen Certificate.
EXTERIOR:
The steel bodywork was subjected to a four-year restoration that utilized a specialized, gentle chemical stripping process to eradicate corrosion while preserving original sheet metal integrity. The coachwork was finished in factory-specified L11 Pastel Green (Pastellgrün) by Glasurit, matching its Data Card records. Exterior period-correct details include genuine 'Split' headlamp lenses with the early Volkswagen logo, factory rear taillight screws and hardware, and model-specific 1950 genuine wheel hubcaps.
INTERIOR:
The cabin has been trimmed using genuine period-correct cloth sections sourced exclusively from two original 1950 Split Window donor vehicles, assembled by a specialist trimmer in Argentina and installed in Spain. Factory-correct details include the period-specific driver-only individual sun visor and the rare original wooden fuel dipstick used for manual fuel level checks. Because the original ignition and door keys were lost during storage, the ignition cylinder was bypassed for mechanical testing, and a replacement key set is needed.
MECHANICS:
The vehicle is powered by its overhauled, numbers-matching 1,130 cc 24 bhp four-cylinder engine, retaining the correct early-production oil filler neck design. Power is delivered through the original factory manual gearbox. The vehicle maintains its authentic 6-volt electrical system and factory hydraulic braking architecture. While the starter motor functions properly and the engine turns over smoothly, the vehicle has been dry-stored since restoration without road use and will require standard recommissioning and routine servicing prior to road use.
DOCUMENTS:
The vehicle is accompanied by the official Volkswagen factory Data Card and definitive Volkswagen Certificate, verifying original production specifications and matching numbers status.
The vehicle can be viewed and collected. Bids do not include transportation or export costs, unless otherwise stated. Transport arrangements, transfer of ownership, and any applicable export or registration documentation fees are the buyer's responsibility.
Details
Brand
Volkswagen
Model type
Split window
Year
1950
Located in
Spain
Mileage reading
100 km
Registration papers
with Portuguese registration
Transmission
Manual
Fuel
Petrol
Horse power
24
Cubic capacity
1130
Matching numbers
Yes
Matching colours
Yes
Service book/history
Yes
Valid MOT
Yes
CoC (Certificate of Conformity) present
Yes
Certificate available
Yes
Condition (Exterior)
Very Good: minor chips or scratches, minor conventional body and paintwork
Condition (Interior)
Very Good: clean, showing minimal wear. May require replacement of minor missing or broken parts
Condition (Frame and Underbody)
Very Good: frame/structure is in a well preserved condition, minor signs of usage/wear
Condition (Mechanical)
Very Good: mechanically sound, may require minor service
Condition (Overall)
Very good condition: minimal signs of wear
Vehicle registration
We can help buyers register their vehicle through our trusted external partner. The process is straightforward and can be completed after purchase. Vehicle registration remains the buyer's responsibility.
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Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
