A True Ground-Up Rebuild
This 1963 Volkswagen Beetle arrived with us at Retro Vehicle Restorations after spending many years laid up and untouched, its potential long recognised but never fully realised.
This Beetle is now at the very beginning of a true ground-up, bare-metal restoration, allowing us to fully understand its condition before carefully rebuilding it for the future. As a 1963 model, it sits within one of the Beetle’s most sought-after eras, defined by its compact rear window, elegant early body lines, and mechanical simplicity. Our aim is to respect those defining characteristics while ensuring the finished car is structurally sound, dependable, and a pleasure to own and drive.
1963 VW Beetle, undergoing full bare-metal restoration return back to its original, pristine factory finish.
Back to Bare Shell – The Right Way
Our first step was a complete strip-down. Every component, clip, fixing, and fastener was carefully removed, catalogued, and assessed. No shortcuts. No assumptions. Just a clean slate and a clear plan.
This approach ensures:
- Correct structural repairs
- Accurate panel alignment
- Long-term reliability
- A finish that meets original factory standards
It’s the only way to deliver a restoration that will stand the test of time
Built With Care, Built To Last
At Retro Vehicle Restorations, we specialise in full, nut-and-bolt restorations of classic and retro vehicles. Each build is treated as a bespoke project, carried out with precision, patience, and respect for the vehicle’s history.
With the car fully stripped back, each repair is being carried out properly from the ground up. Areas such as the floorpan are being cut back to sound metal and repaired with correctly formed, fully welded sections, ensuring strength, longevity, and structural integrity. It’s this level of workmanship and doing the job once, and doing it right that underpins our entire restoration process.
This 1963 Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) comes from one of the most celebrated chapters in the Beetle’s long production history, a period when the car’s shape, simplicity, and character were fully established. Built during the early 1960s, this era is prized for its compact rear window, elegant body lines, and the unmistakable charm that made the Beetle a global icon. By this point in its evolution, the Beetle had matured into a dependable, everyday car, yet it retained the mechanical honesty and visual purity that enthusiasts continue to seek out today.
Now at the very start of its restoration journey with us, this Beetle is being approached with the care and respect that a car of this heritage deserves. From its distinctive proportions to the small details that define early-1960s models, our focus is on understanding the vehicle as it stands before carefully guiding it into its next chapter. Whether the goal is faithful originality or a sympathetic interpretation that enhances usability, each decision will be rooted in the character of the car and the era it represents.
We invite you to follow the progress of this restoration here, as we document each stage of the process and reveal how this 1963 Beetle is brought back to life — preserving its history while preparing it for many more years on the road.
Got a Build in Mind?
We are currently accepting restoration bookings for 2026.
If you’re considering a full restoration, recommission, or long-term project, now is the time to get in touch and secure your place in our workshop schedule.