{"id":50826,"date":"2026-09-17T08:27:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T08:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kieftenklok.nl\/te-koop\/oostenrijkse-1951-vw-brilkever\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T09:15:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T09:15:39","slug":"oostenrijkse-1951-vw-brilkever","status":"publish","type":"sales","link":"https:\/\/kieftenklok.nl\/en\/for-sale\/oostenrijkse-1951-vw-brilkever\/","title":{"rendered":"1951 Volkswagen Split-Window Beetle | Rare Survivor | Original Parts | Restoration Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A remarkably original early Beetle with an incredible history<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offered here is a very special 1951 Volkswagen Split-Window Beetle, also known as a Brezel Beetle. An increasingly rare early VW with a wonderfully unmolested and solid foundation, surprisingly little welding required, and a history that has kept the car remarkably original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a genuine long-term stored survivor and restoration project, offering two very interesting possibilities: preserve its honest, time-worn character and get it back on the road, or use it as a solid basis for a sympathetic full restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A story that saved the car<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1970s, the Beetle suffered minor body damage to the front left side. After that, it was taken off the road and never returned to regular road use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What may have seemed like a bad thing at the time turned out to be the car’s salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Beetle has been off the road for decades, meaning it escaped the modifications, repairs and general wear that so many early Volkswagens experienced over the years. Finding an early Split-Window Beetle in such an honest and largely untouched condition is becoming increasingly difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floor pan is still very nice, and the body presents a remarkably good starting point. There is surprisingly little welding required for a car of this age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Original parts & rare details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The car comes with a selection of original and correct parts, including an original Split-Window donor section to restore the characteristic center divider in the rear window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The glass is original and correct for the car, and the correct early tail lights and trim pieces are included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original front and rear panels with the characteristic \u201cfour-finger\u201d pressing are also still with the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One particularly interesting part of the car’s history is the rear window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1960s, the center divider was removed from the split rear window. At the time, this was a relatively simple and popular modification intended to make the car look more modern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the divider removed, the car had the appearance of an Oval-window Beetle rather than a Split-Window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, that period modification has become part of the car’s story. The original donor section is included, giving the next owner the opportunity to return the car to its characteristic 1951 Split-Window appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two ways to enjoy this car<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Preserve the survivor character<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One option would be to carry out the necessary mechanical and minor body repairs and return the car to the road as close to \u201cas found\u201d condition as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This would preserve the car’s honest appearance, patina and fascinating history rather than erasing decades of its story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Full restoration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, this is a very promising basis for a full restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the solid floor pan, original glass, correct trim, early tail lights, original \u201cfour-finger\u201d panels and the Split-Window donor section already present, the car offers a strong starting point for someone looking to restore a very early Beetle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mileage & history<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The odometer currently shows 15,000 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on the age and known history of the car, we believe the actual total mileage is more likely to be approximately 115,000 km. The mileage cannot be independently verified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also a service card attached to the engine, showing that the previous owner went approximately 1,000 km over the scheduled service interval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documentation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following documentation is included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n