1946 Volkswagen Beetle

2dr Split-Window Sedan

4-cyl. 1131cc/25hp 1bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$92,200 CAD*

+9.4%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph04/2407/2410/24$20k$40k$60k$80kJan 2025
Let us watch the market for you

We update the Hagerty Price Guide each quarter. Sign up for alerts and we'll notify you about value changes for the cars you love.

1946-1948 Volkswagen Beetle stats
Sales
2

Photos

1 photoImage may not reflect selected vehicle.

1946 Volkswagen Split-Window Sedan
insurance

Protect your 1946 Volkswagen Beetle from the unexpected.

Better coverage built for classics at a price you can afford. Online quotes are fast and easy

Model overview

Model description

The Volkswagen Beetle is undoubtedly one of the most important cars of the 20th century. The company sold 21.5 million from about 1938 to 2003, when the last one rolled off a Mexican production line. Surprisingly, it only placed fourth in the 1999 Car of The Century competition, behind the Model T Ford (14.6 million) BMC Mini (5.4 million) and Citroen DS (1.4 million).

But the Beetle was a remarkable achievement. Ferdinand Porsche’s 1931 prototypes led to Hitler’s demand in 1934 for a “people’s car”, and Porsche’s design paralleled Hans Ledwinka’s Czechoslovakian Tatras. The basic platform endured (with improvements), for almost 60 years. A simple flat-floor platform featured torsion bar suspension, with swing axles at the rear.

A handful of pre-production models were built in 1937-39. The 25 bhp, 131cc rear-mounted, air-cooled, flat-four engine was simple and unburstable, and was attached to a four-speed transaxle “crash box”.

True Beetle production finally began in West Germany in 1945. The British Army initially dismissed the car as “quite unattractive to the average buyer”, but needed vehicles to help rebuild the country, whose residents also needed jobs. By 1946, the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month. Early cars had no chrome trim and a tiny split back window.

Ben Pon in Holland became VW’s first export dealer in 1947, buying 51 Beetles, and in 1948, Heinz Nordoff took over the factory in the new town of Wolfsburg. New Export Sedans and Cabriolets were launched in 1949 and 46,149 cars were built that year. The wheelbase was 94.5 inches, width 60.5 inches, and weight 1,600 lbs.

Max Hoffman took over U.S. distribution in 1950, and launched the U.S. program with only 150 cars. Hoffman would sell 157 of the 270 VWs in the U.S. that year, while the rest of the world bought 81,979 units. The 100,000th Beetle was built on March 4 1950, about the same time hydraulic brakes were introduced.

The Beetle’s arrival in the U.S. coincided with a number of “running changes” which would characterize the model’s next 50 years. The single-action lever shocks became double-acting, a seven-digit VIN was adopted, the starting crank handle was eliminated, the clutch was beefed up, moulded rubber mats were fitted, and the driver’s seat was raised. The exhaust pipe was enlarged and the side windows featured a cut-out on the leading edge to improve airflow.

The Export Sedans featured chrome bumpers, hubcaps, headlight rims and door handles and a sunroof was optional. The Cabriolet had a lined top, which was insulated and well-fitted, but extremely bulky when folded.

German coachbuilder Hebmüller constructed 2+2 cabriolets for Volkswagen using the same hood at both ends. Just 696 of the cabriolets were built, however, as Hebmüller never recovered from a massive fire at the factory.

Find more values
Search for prices of other cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles
Classic car

Common Questions

The value of a 1946 Volkswagen Beetle can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $64,000 USD for a 1946 Volkswagen Beetle in good condition with average spec.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are representative of stock condition vehicles only and based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. Value adjustments for optional equipment are in U.S. dollars. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.CA/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2025 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.