1951 Volkswagen By Tom Strongman

Perfection, particularly as it applies to restoring an automobile, is very elusive. Look up the word "perfect" and you’ll find phrases such as: "Being without defect or blemish. Complete; thorough; utter. Pure; undiluted; unmixed. Excellent and delightful in all respects."

The definition might as well include a picture of Andy Spilkoman’s 1951 Volkswagen, now owned by Bruce Braun of Lake Quivira. This beetle was so painstakingly restored that just looking at it set my teeth on edge like taking a bite of extra-sweet fudge.

This Dove Blue deluxe beetle was originally delivered to Hahn Volkswagen in Stuttgart, Germany on July 11, 1951. Andy Spilkoman, an assistant director for film and television in California, bought the car at a swap meet in 1998. It was a total wreck and he said most people thought it was beyond salvation. Spilkoman, a VW enthusiast, did all of the body and paint work in his own garage. He learned body work while working at a bodyshop during summers while a college student.

Spilkoman used "new old stock", or NOS, parts – parts that are old but have never been used – with the correct part numbers from 1951. He color-sanded the acrylic enamel paint until its surface, free from the tiniest blemish, shines like a mirror. Even the gas tank glistens like a jewel.
The interior is as period-perfect as it can be. The Becker Monza radio and clock, complete with vacuum tubes, works flawlessly. The wool carpet, wool headliner and seat upholstery were sewn by Dave Lumetta of Los Angeles.

Every nut, bolt and washer was sandblasted and plated the correct black color. The cloth wiring harness was made in Pennsylvania.

Braun, who has a number of vintage VWs, first saw the 1951 on the cover of Hot VWs magazine in 2001. He tried to buy it for a couple of years, and eventually traded an original 1947 for it. But now a Japanese collector has expressed interested in the car, so it might end up on the other side of the Pacific.

When a car is restored to this level of perfection, it truly is "excellent and delightful in all respects." It’s no wonder other collectors want it.