We see plenty of VW Beetles and try to post only the most unusual. Today’s feature is a 1950s Beetle with a Mazda 13B rotary engine, which also means it’s water cooled.
The swap looks pretty clean and it’s no surprise that the tiny rotary fits with space to spare. How, you ask, does one fit a radiator in a Beetle? In this case, it’s the back seat, which seems to imply that this was meant to be run without glass, as there’s no other venting.
The seller says the car starts and runs, but has been a ten-year project, so we hope it’s been well stored and the critical parts haven’t been sitting for too long. Any potential buyer should thoroughly inspect to know exactly what he or she is getting. If it really runs and is reasonably complete, this might be a decent deal at a little under asking price.
Click for Craigslist ad
La Quinta, CA
$5,000
From here, this just looks like any modified Beetle.
Profile shows typical suspension mods. Well, that and lack of glass.
Split window isn’t original, but it was an oval window car. Hmm…is that engine smaller than stock?
Yes, this modified Beetle does have an engine cover! Not all do. It’s a little funky, though.
Interior isn’t quite finished, but has potential. We would have made a few different decisions.
No back seat. As a matter of fact, that’s a radiator – a major clue that something big has changed.
Mazda’s little 13B rotary fits nicely in the oversized engine compartment.
Here’s another look.
As you’d expect, there’s a fuel tank up front.
Ad text:
FOR SALE OR TRADE
For sale is a 1957 oval VW, Volkswagen bug. Yes it runs! But never driven. Its on a 61 pan, and the body has a split window insert. I don’t have a pink slip. I got it from my friend over 10 years ago and just never got the pink. Im still friends with him, Im sure we can go to the DMV and get it done. Hasn’t been registered since 2001. Ive been building it ever since. The fenders are 3-1/2″ wider fiberglass fenders and rear apron. Rear fenders and apron have zeus fasteners. The engine is a street ported 13b mazda rotary motor. Has a 45 side draft weber with race beat intake and header. I also have a built trans, king kong adj torque plates, sway-a-way torsion bars, and some more stuff. I have a lot more info on this car than I can write. So please contact me. Text or call Ryan at show contact info Trade for trucks, vans, VW’s, bus, hot rods, vintage cars, etc. Sorry roof rack not included.
Heres a video of when I got it running. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-aH26wtKIc