All 1955 Volkswagen Beetles for sale. A 1955 Beetle is Simple, Fun, Easy to fix but also Slow, Unsafe, and Needs constant maintenance.
It’s a hobby car, not a modern daily driver.
⚙️ Motor
1200cc stock (30hp) +$0
1600cc twin-port (60hp) +$3,200
Dual carb 40 IDF +$1,800
Performance cam (Engle 110) +$650
HP estimado: hasta 85hp · precio total calculado
🎨 Pintura
L41 Black (fábrica) $1,200
L275 Light Beige $1,200
Seal Brown (1955 only) $1,450
Rojo indio (moderno) $1,900
🧰 Paquetes
Conversión 12V $850
Frenos de disco (del.) $1,250
Arnes eléctrico completo $720
Suspensión + amort. $1,100
Precio promedio
$30 000 000
Millaje promedio
80 000 mi
Mediana
$25 000 000
Rango de precio
$18000000 – $45000000
Días en mercado
60
📈 Listados últimos 90 días: 5
rust spots
Common rust spots:
Floor pans
Heater channels
Rear quarters
Battery tray
Spare tire well
Around windows
Bad rust repair is VERY common in Colombia.
Why it matters:
Fixing heater channels can cost more than the car.
Severidad: Major
Weak Engine Power
Stock 1955 engine = about 36 horsepower.
Problems:
Slow acceleration
Hard to climb hills
Overheats in traffic
Many cars have engine swaps because of this.
Severidad: Major
Engine Reliability Issues
The old 1200cc engine has issues if not maintained:
Oil leaks
Valve adjustment needed often
Carburetor problems
Generator failures
Cooling system depends on all tin being present
Missing cooling tin = engine death.
Severidad: Major
Electrical System Problems
1955 Beetles are 6-volt systems.
Issues:
Weak headlights
Hard starting
Bad wiring from repairs
Corroded grounds
Many cars are converted to 12-volt.
Severidad: Major
No Safety Features
Things missing:
No seat belts originally
No crumple zones
Weak brakes
Small tires
👉 These cars are dangerous by modern standards.
Severidad: Major
Brake Problems
Original drum brakes:
Fade on hills
Pull left/right
Leak fluid
Need constant adjustment.
Severidad: Major
Transmission Issues
Common problems:
Grinding gears
Worn synchros
No first-gear synchro
Clutch chatter
Rebuilds are common.
Severidad: Major
Steering & Suspension Wear
Old king-pin front suspension causes:
Loose steering
Tire wear
Wandering on highway
Needs regular grease.
Severidad: Major
Fake Restorations
Fake Restorations
Huge issue with classic Beetles.
Watch for:
Thick bondo hiding rust
Wrong parts
Cheap paint
Fake “original” engine
Many “restored” cars are cosmetic only.
Severidad: Major
Parts Availability
Good news:
Parts are available worldwide.
Bad news:
Early-year parts are expensive
Original German parts rare
Some parts in Colombia are poor quality
Severidad: Minor
$48.000.000 COP
Compra restaurado (nivel #2) · Listo para disfrutar
$22M + $28M
Proyecto + restauración · 18 meses estimados · riesgo medio
Nuestra recomendación: para 1955, debido a rareza, comprar ya restaurado suele ser más económico si consideras mano de obra especializada en Armenia. Pero si buscas originalidad exacta, proyecto + taller experto (Quindío) puede ser gratificante.
🧡 Vivir con un 1955 en el Quindío
“Cada paseo por el Parque del Café se vuelve aventura. El sonido del motor bóxer, el olor a café y la brisa de Armenia. Aquí todos conocen a los mecánicos de confianza: Don Álvaro en la 10ª es leyenda.”
What is a 1955 VW Beetle called?
A 1955 Beetle is known as an Oval Window Beetle because of its small oval rear window.
How much is a 1955 VW Beetle worth?
Typical prices:
Project car: $4k–$7k
Nice driver: $8k–$15k
Fully restored: $20k–$40k+
In Colombia, usually 18–45 million COP depending on condition.
How fast is a 1955 Beetle?
Top speed: about 65–70 mph (105–115 km/h).
It’s slow by modern standards.
How much horsepower does it have?
Stock engine: about 36 HP.
Is a 1955 Beetle reliable?
Yes, if maintained.
But expect:
Frequent tune-ups
Oil leaks
Old-car issues
It’s a hobby car, not a modern commuter.
Can you drive a 1955 Beetle every day?
Possible, but not recommended because:
Slow
No safety features
Needs maintenance
Most owners drive them on weekends.
What engine came in a 1955 Beetle?
A 1200cc air-cooled flat-four engine.
Many cars today have swapped engines.
How long do Beetle engines last?
Usually 60k–100k miles before rebuild.
Many cars have had multiple rebuilds.
Is it 6-volt or 12-volt?
1955 Beetles are 6-volt originally.
Many owners convert to 12-volt.
Do 1955 Beetles have a fuel gauge?
No. They use a reserve fuel tap instead.
What are common problems?
Rust
Weak brakes
Oil leaks
Electrical issues
Engine overheating
What should I check before buying?
Rust in heater channels
Engine compression
Matching VIN
Quality of restoration
Clean paperwork
Rust is the biggest killer.
Are parts hard to find?
No. Beetle parts are widely available worldwide.
Early original parts can be expensive.
What trim levels existed?
Main versions:
Standard
Deluxe
Ragtop option
Convertible
Not like modern trims.
Are 1955 Beetles rare?
Yes, compared to later Beetles.
Especially original, rust-free examples.