1957 Volkswagen Beetle Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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You'd have to look hard to find any real updates to the 1957 Volkswagen Beetle, when compared to the previous year's model. The sunroof was a little smaller and the ratio in the rack-and-pinion steering changed. A few other changes were just as minor.
The Beetle came with a four-cylinder, four-stroke air-cooled engine that generated 36 horsepower. It was mounted in the rear, so that its weight provided traction to the rear wheels. The Beetle's transmission had four forward speeds and one reverse speed (very handy if you wanted to back up), and featured synchromesh shifting on the second, third, and fourth gears. Independent front suspension and telescopic shock absorbers were also part of the Beetle package.
Features of the car, which were noted in VW's brochure for the '57 Beetle, included vent wings in the front windows, which could be pivoted to provide fresh air to the cabin, and a built-in heater (very handy if you wanted to stay warm in the winter).
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1957 Volkswagen Beetle
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by Bob H
Mar 28, 2010
My First Car 36 HP. 4 speed manual trans. Top speed was about 65. I bought this car in 1966 for $400. It was 9 years old and only had about 60,000 miles on it. The tires were the original Continentals. They still had some tread but leaked air because the rubber was all cracked. I bought a set of 4 new tires at Sears for about $50. (These were the days when gas was less than $0.30/gallon.
Manual choke that came in handy one time when the accelerator cable broke. I was able to drive the car home using the choke as the throttle. Couldn't go fast, but it got me home.
I put about 50,000 miles on it in around 4 years when I blew the engine. I sold it as is for $375. Mar 28, 2010
by Bob H
Apr 19, 2008
36 HP. 4 speed manual trans. Top speed was about 65. I bought this car in 1966 for $400. It was 9 years old and only had about 60,000 miles on it. The tires were the original Continentals. They still had some tread but leaked air because the rubber was all cracked. I bought a set of 4 new tires at Sears for about $50. (These were the days when gas was less than $0.30/gallon. I put about 50,000 miles on it in around 4 years when I blew the engine. I sold it as is for $375.Apr 19, 2008
by Nikolai B
Mar 02, 2008
Its a Womans car....Mar 02, 2008
User rating:
by Bob H
Mar 28, 2010
My First Car 36 HP. 4 speed manual trans. Top speed was about 65. I bought this car in 1966 for $400. It was 9 years old and only had about 60,000 miles on it. The tires were the original Continentals. They still had some tread but leaked air because the rubber was all cracked. I bought a set of 4 new tires at Sears for about $50. (These were the days when gas was less than $0.30/gallon.
Manual choke that came in handy one time when the accelerator cable broke. I was able to drive the car home using the choke as the throttle. Couldn't go fast, but it got me home.
I put about 50,000 miles on it in around 4 years when I blew the engine. I sold it as is for $375. Mar 28, 2010
by Bob H
Apr 19, 2008
36 HP. 4 speed manual trans. Top speed was about 65. I bought this car in 1966 for $400. It was 9 years old and only had about 60,000 miles on it. The tires were the original Continentals. They still had some tread but leaked air because the rubber was all cracked. I bought a set of 4 new tires at Sears for about $50. (These were the days when gas was less than $0.30/gallon. I put about 50,000 miles on it in around 4 years when I blew the engine. I sold it as is for $375.Apr 19, 2008
by Nikolai B
Mar 02, 2008
Its a Womans car....Mar 02, 2008
by Lorne F
Jan 30, 2008
Best investment I ever made at the age of 20Jan 30, 2008
by Jeffrey J
Jan 05, 2008
Very easy to work on. Reliable if proper maintenance is done. 32 miles to the gallon in 1957! When owning one of these cars, a person really gets to know the road, unlike most modern cars. I will not recommend this car to just anyone, they are now 51 yrs old, and they will take someone who is mechanically inclined to own and drive for any given length of time.Jan 05, 2008
by Anonymous
Oct 16, 2007
Bought a '57 VW Beatle in 1963 with 83,000 miles on it. All maintenance documented for
those miles. Absolutely fabulous car. Adjust the valves every 3000 miles, change the oil
every 1500 miles, and change points, plugs, and condenser every 12 to 15,000 miles. It ran
like a top. Still used no oil and had original clutch (it was beginning to chatter) when I sold it
with 142,000 miles on it! It still was getting 35 to 37 mpg as well! ! !Oct 16, 2007
by Anonymous
Sep 21, 2007
Bad in winterSep 21, 2007
What users have asked
Where can I buy wiper arms for a 1957 Beetle?
I need wiper arms for my 1957 Beetle. I can't find the lower part that attaches to the spindle at the cowl.
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