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1957 Volkswagen Beetle For Sale In Stunning Black Over Red, With Matching Trailer Listed At $...

This 1957 Volkswagen Beetle, finished in black over a reupholstered red leather interior with white piping, is for $54,999 out of Florida. It shows 4,042 miles on the odometer, though as with most collector cars of this era, that figure should be treated as mileage shown rather than verified. The package includes a bifold ragtop and a matching trailer, which adds novelty and show appeal that you simply don't find on most listings.

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According to Classic.com, the average sale price for a Volkswagen Beetle Type 1, across all years, is $19,078. That broad average, however, covers everything from tired project cars to pristine restorations across seven decades of production, so it needs context. The early oval-window cars, particularly those from 1953 to 1957, occupy a distinctly more desirable tier of the market. The oval rear window was replaced by a larger piece of glass starting in 1958, making 1957 the final year of one of the most iconic details in automotive history. That alone commands a premium.

At $54,999, this Beetle is priced well above the broad market average, and the seller knows it. The price is being justified by the combination of the final oval-window year, the bespoke black and red presentation, the bifold ragtop, and the matching trailer. For a buyer who wants a turnkey, eye-catching show car that draws a crowd wherever it goes, the ask is ambitious but not unreasonable. That said, comparable oval-window Beetles in honest driver condition typically trade in the $25,000 to $45,000 range, and reaching $54,999 requires either exceptional originality, a provenance story, or the kind of visual drama this car clearly has. The trailer is a fun bonus.

The offer

  • Make: Volkswagen
  • Model: Beetle
  • Year: 1957
  • Mileage: 4,042 (Exempt / TMU)
  • Engine: 1,192cc naturally aspirated air-cooled flat-four (H4)
  • Power: Approximately 36 hp (factory rating for the 1,192cc engine)
  • Transmission: 4-speed manual
  • Drive type: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
  • Exterior color: Black
  • Interior color: Red leather with white piping
  • Asking price: $54,999
  • Vehicle location: Florida
  • Interested in this 1957 Volkswagen Beetle? View the listing here.

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1957 Volkswagen Beetle listing details

Under the rear lid sits the 1,192cc air-cooled flat-four that powered the Beetle through much of the 1950s, fed by a Solex 28 PCI carburetor and paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Power output sits at a modest 36 horsepower, which sounds alarming until you remember the car weighs roughly 1,500 pounds and was never meant to intimidate anyone at a stoplight. What it lacks in muscle it more than makes up for in mechanical honesty, a willingness to rev, and an air-cooled engine note that somehow manages to be one of the most characterful sounds in the collector car world. The retained 6-volt electrical system keeps things period-correct, which will matter to purists.

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The oval rear window is the centerpiece of the exterior story. Measuring just 9.8 by 5.7 inches, it's comically small by modern standards, but it's the detail that every early Beetle enthusiast points to first, and its replacement with a larger rear window in 1958 marked the end of one of the most beloved design details in automotive history. Against the black paint, the bifold ragtop adds a level of open-air practicality and visual interest that a standard sedan simply can't offer. The matching trailer is the kind of whimsical accessory that makes sense for exactly this car, useful at shows, hilarious at gas stations, and genuinely charming everywhere else.

Inside, the reupholstered red leather cabin with white piping transforms what was originally a humble, utilitarian space into something that feels genuinely special. The thin pillars, minimal instrumentation, and analog simplicity of the controls reinforce the sense that you're operating something from a completely different era of motoring, which, at nearly 70 years old, you absolutely are.

1957 Volkswagen Beetle quick take

The 1957 Volkswagen Beetle sits at the intersection of two things collector car buyers genuinely care about: historical significance and instant visual impact. The final year of the oval rear window is not a minor footnote; it's the kind of detail that gets people to stop walking at a car show and start asking questions. Add the black and red color combination, the bifold ragtop, and a matching trailer, and this particular example has been set up to perform. At $54,999, it asks you to pay a meaningful premium over where comparable oval-window Beetles typically trade, and whether that premium is justified will depend entirely on how much a buyer values the show-ready presentation and the complete package on offer. For the right buyer, this is a deeply appealing and genuinely rare slice of motoring history. For the budget-conscious, there are cheaper ways into oval-window ownership, though likely none this photogenic.

arena photography
arena photography
arena photography
arena photography

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:45 AM.

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