Good Find Friday features interesting vehicles we’ve found for sale while conducting market analysis or appraisal research. They are not for sale by Wolf and Mare and we have no business relationship with the sellers. We just think they’re worth learning about and sharing with our readers!

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Our weekly “good find” post is back after a week or two hiatus due to travel for this year’s Porsche Parade in Lake Placid, NY. German cars have always interested me, and sadly I’m old enough to remember a time when there were two Germanies. I vividly remember watching news coverage of the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and my high school German language textbooks still referenced East and West Germany, even though reunification had long since been formalized. Today’s Good Find Friday car, a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, hails from this bygone era of history.

Established in 1951 in West Germany, the Bundesgrenschutz (BGS) or Federal Border Guard, was charged with securing the country’s borders and maintaining order in more remote regions. Although a federal police force, the BGS was initially a semi-military group frequently seen along the borders with East Germany and Czechoslovakia. Vehicles such as Volkswagen Beetles and Transporters were used for patrol, liaison and administrative duties in contrast to the more rugged vehicles more commonly associated with the service. The BGS remained Germany’s primary federal border security organization until its renaming to the Bundespolizei in 2005.

Said to be one of only a handful made, this 1967 Volkswagen Beetle apparently has a service history with the BGS and subsequently the German Red Cross. It’s been restored to its original appearance and is now for sale in the Netherlands by Lieshout Car Collection with an asking price of €45,900.

Finished in a matte dark green over a green interior, this Beetle cuts a very utilitarian look. The flat finish is livened up by several period identification graphics on the front and rear deck lids. Two “GSG 9” placards are mounted on the side doors, which I can only assume is an attempt at humor. 

The body appears to be in very good condition, with maybe a few small flaws here and there. The undercarriage is clean and rust-free, and the suspension appears very fresh with only some scrapes and nicks. The soft top also appears to be in very good condition with a clean vinyl lining.

Police-specific features on this Bug include a rotating blue beacon mounted on the windshield frame, a search light, a skid plate under the front bumper and suspension, a locking differential, and various BGS equipment.

The engine was rebuilt along with the transmission during the restoration, per the listing information. An electronic ignition distributor from 123 Ignition has been fitted instead of the standard unit.

Very few former Volkswagen Beetle service vehicles are offered on the public market, and when they are, prices vary significantly based on the rarity of the underlying model and service branch. Something like a Hebmüller Cabriolet police car could fetch a price in the six figures, while the only Volkswagen Beetle police car to publicly sell in the United States changed hands for just under $30,000. I’m still kicking myself for not bidding on that one, given its ownership history.

I’ve never owned an aircooled Volkswagen, despite my passion for VWs. If I were to acquire one, I would like it to be something a little more rare than your standard Bug. Something like this would fit the bill with the added bonus of a siren and flashing lights — something I really want to add to my garage.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!