VW 1500 Club Member: Rob Kingsbury 1964 1500S

Model: Type 313 1500S (LHD Sunroof Sedan/Notchback)
Year: 1964
Color: L 511 (Birch Green)
VIN: 0 281 615
Engine #: (unknown)
M-Codes: (unknown)
Date of Production: November 4, 1963
Delivery Date: (unknown)
Country of Origin: Germany
Vehicle Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Accessories: Parcel Tray, Tach, Pedro Roof and Decklid Rack, Pedro Fog Lamp Bar, Fog Lamps, Trim Rings, Blaupunkt Essen Radio, Day-Night Mirror, Vent-Shades, Coco Mats, Front Gravel Guards, Mud Flaps, and Locking Glove Box
Other Cars: 1964 Convertible Karmann Ghia
Cost of Purchase: $8000

Restoration Cost: approx. $45,000
Restoration Time: 16 months

Construction Stages: full pan-off restoration, starting with full disassembly, the paining of shell and powder-coating and epoxy painting of entire chassis. Motor and tranny rebuilt. Car assembled.

Body and Paint: Gary Turk

Club Affiliations: The 1500 Club

Car Show Awards: In the car’s debut at the 2008 VWs on the Green in Denver, the car won Best of Show.

New Pans had to be welded in (originals were rusted out). Were fully epoxy painted (3 layers) to prevent future rust. Front Beam and entire front suspension were powder coated and fully rebuilt. Brakes are 100% stock, Tires are 165 R 15 Nan Kang’s. Original Case, 85.5 x 69 (1584 cc). All internal components are original to motor, rebuilt by Jeremy Vreeman. Original transmission from car. Fully rebuilt by Rancho Transmission in Fullerton, CA. Transmission was rebuilt with all stock ratios, etc. Interior by Lenny Copp of West Coast Classics. Upholstery is NOS material from ISP in Carson, CA. Material sent to West Coast Classics, where they transformed this NOS material into front and rear seat covers.Door Panels are original to the car. Carpet kit is German square weave from West Coast Classics. Headlineris perforated vinyl headliner by West Coast Classics. Steering Wheel, shifter, pedals – all original to the car were restored by Gary Turk. Gauges were restored by Charles Harlock.

The Story Behind the Story

I got into Volkswagens in 1987, after purchasing my first VW. It was a 1967 Squareback. The car was in o.k. shape, so after spending many weekends working on and trying to improve the car, this steered me further into the VW scene. I started working for Small Car Specialties in 1989, where I became further involved in the world of older VW’s.

In 1991, I left the VW scene due to college and a new job, and was absent until August 2006. On August 3rd, my wife Kirsten and I were watching the Barrett Jackson auto auction on TV, and she asked me what my dream car was. I told her I always wanted a VW Notchback (having been a type 3 guy from back in the day). She said, ‘what are you waiting on?’ This began the cycle of where we are now! The next day, I checked the Samba.com, and found my car, being sold by Bob Rey in Huntington Beach, CA. Bob had actually listed this car for sale at the exact time Kirsten and I were having our conversation! I contacted Bob, and over the course of the next 2 ½ weeks, Bob and I discussed me purchasing the Notch. I ended up flying out to California, and inspecting the car, and then had it shipped to Colorado.

Upon its arrival in September, I drove the car a few times, and then sent it out for a full restoration. This process took 16 months. During this time, I was on a search mission for most of the parts, not realizing how difficult it had become to source NOS early type 3 parts. Along the way, I have made a best friend (Charles Harlock), and many many other very close friends who have made it possible to restore this car.

Points of Interest:
 

  1. Car was assembled with virtually all NOS replacement parts

  2. All chrome items have been re-chromed

  3. Car has been painted with 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of Birch Green L 511 paint (color-matched) paint, and 2 coats of clear coat. All underside of fenders, engine compartment, and the area under the gas tank have an additional coating of epoxy paint for protection.

  1. All engine tin has been powder-coated.

  1. Car is a 100% ‘matching number’ car – original shell, chassis, engine case, and transaxle.

People I need to thank for making this happen:

Charles Harlock

Jason Weigel

Pedro Sainz

Mike Dempster

Bob Walton

Greg Skinner

Aaron Britcher

And lastly, my incredibly understanding wife, Kir... for whom this incredible venture would not have been possible!


 



Dedicated to stock early 1500cc Type III Volkswagens