1953 Volkswagen Beetle

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Globally respected for top-flight, air-cooled Porsche engine development and service, Thoroughbred Motorsports of Corry, Pennsylvania, was founded by Dr. Karl Hens— a man whose experience and knowledge have been honed by a lifetime dedicated to building precision Porsche powerplants. Along his journey of automotive excellence, Dr. Hens amassed a collection of special air-cooled Porsche sports cars spanning every generation, alongside a nearly immeasurable treasure trove of highly sought-after Porsche parts.

On-site lot viewings are available by appointment at Hagerty Garage + Social Savannah, 1446 Dean Forest Rd., Savannah, GA 31405.

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This 1953 Volkswagen Type-1 Beetle represents the purest expression of Ferdinand Porsche's original people’s car concept, built during the model's formative postwar production era. Its distinctive split rear window, a feature phased out starting March 1953, makes this early ’53 a genuine milestone within Beetle history.

Beneath the rounded steel bodywork sits an air-cooled flat-four engine, prized for its mechanical simplicity, ease of maintenance, and remarkable durability across decades of use. The torsion-bar suspension at all four corners delivers a supple ride quality that was considered advanced for an economy car of its time. Inside, the minimalist dashboard and bench-style seating reflect honest, functional design rather than superfluous ornamentation.