Rare: Beetle with cross coolers

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Purchasing classics there

Air inlets in the side of the front screens can of course be called no different than 'Crotch coolers' or 'cross coolers'. This option was only available on an 1951 / 1952 Deluxe 'glasses'.

Details like the cross coolers are rare

So wanted. So they make the VW worth more. This beetle in the photos is at Gallery Aaldering and is 100% documented and pure. But in the meantime there are many cases of classics that have been greatly upgraded by adding a dose of rarity.

This upgrade was done ex factory with our photo model

It was an option. Upgrading to look more is, by the way, of all times. Think of sticking a 'turbo sticker' on the boot lid or replacing the 'smooth' rear lights with the ribbed ones on cars from the W123 series.

The most obvious updates are those that turn a base model into a top model. The differences in price between the two can inspire people to serious work. For example, many Ford Escorts have evolved over the years from a minimum Mexico version to a full 2000 RS trim.

Most Porsche Speedsters and 3,5 and 4 liter Bentleys that we see today are 'replicas', 'tributes', re-creations or whatever. By the way, these can be masterfully beautiful, greedy pieces of work. Just like an evolved Escort 1600 that can be. Or a FIAT Abarth on Zastava.

But only when they are bought for the 'right' price can you have a good buy. And that 'correct' price can be much lower than the price for a genuine genuine copy.

Massaging the market

To justify prices, very high spirits are often made in the high segment. The 'building' of a prize has been copied from the art world. A classic is then sold over a period of a number of years within a circle of 'conspirators' at auctions at an increasingly higher price. Firstly, it is made clear that the car is rapidly increasing in value. The documentation and authenticity of the classic also grows miraculously.

Sold as a Real

At the end of the ride, a perfect replica succeeds as a unique original to a solidly upholstered and greedy enthusiast. Several 100% replica Bugattis in Argentina have already been sold as 'real'. The Dutch market is too small for that kind of wizardry.

It can also turn out well

We regularly experienced something that was more fun here: in their time 'somewhat older' cars were often modernized. That was at the time when we knew more craftsmanship here and when the man-hours were not yet priceless. For example, a lot of glasses and little oval glasses have become a lot more modern in terms of looks by mounting a large rear window. And then it is fair and historically justified to rebuild such a beetle to its original specifications.

And so we are back at Beetles and originality

Also at Kevers it is therefore very sensible to look carefully at what you are buying. Because a really old beetle is now a serious investment.

A Zastava disguised as Abarth. If Real Abarth stiff to the price. Mildly endearing in this version. And enormously negotiable in terms of price. (Photo: Potomac Classics)

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9 comments

  1. Hello Dolf.
    I don't think you mean the 123 series but the w114 or w115 series, referring to the rear lights.
    There were more small details that were different, draft windows in the front doors and the list at the windscreen among others.
    Greeting Remko.

  2. Sometimes a few very small changes already make a nice difference. Mount a set of 504 mirrors on a Peugeot 604 Ti (fits without drilling) and a nice Michelin TRX set on steel rim of the 604 (504 / 505 are too narrow for the nice maker), it really is a nicer car. Unfortunately I do not know if TRX is still available on the special wheels for that purpose.

  3. Nonsense, my Fiat Topolino Belvédère from 1952 also has them, these cross coolers were already on 1936 on the Topolino models.

    • A Beetle with 'cross cooler'
      In Germany those ventilation flaps were also telling
      Called 'rheumatism'. It seems that the knees of the driver and co-driver would have a hard time with that….

  4. As long as there are potential buyers who do not (want to) do their homework, there will be a lucrative market.
    And it pays to turn an ID into a DS by adding some stainless steel brackets, and turning an M72 into a real R71 by being creative with stickers and batches ...
    More Laverda SFCs, AC Cobras and Harley WLAs are driving around than ever left the factory

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