Vehicle Details
- Year: 1961
- Make: Volkswagen
- Model: Beetle
- VIN: 3499046
- Mileage: 500mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Bare Aluminum
- Seller: Surfdog1
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Laguna Beach, CA 92653
- Lot #: V-0019339
Shaping aluminum by hand in the Colombian countryside, Juan Badel has dedicated his life to building custom lightweight sports cars inspired by Walter Glöckler’s iconic Porsche specials. Using traditional fabrication methods, this Badel 480 Spyder was personally commissioned by its owner and is one of only a handful built in total. It was assembled over the course of more than two years with its tubular steel frame paired with Volkswagen running gear and handmade bare aluminum bodywork. Also featuring several custom features including Porsche 356 gauges and a removable headrest, the one-of-a-kind Badel Spyder is now being offered for auction by its original owner out of California.
Considering styling cues from the Glöckler cars and Porsche 550, Juan Badel designed custom molds and bucks from which he shapes the aluminum bodywork. The entire process takes place in-house using the same tools and machinery available to craftsmen of the 1950s. This 480 Spyder wears a bare aluminum finish with painted racing numbers and Porsche 356 lighting. The rear engine clamshell is secured by leather straps and features a removable headrest fairing behind the driver as well as twin engine grilles. Other features include a short polycarbonate windscreen, exposed filler lid, custom Badel badging, silver steel wheels, and a classic fender-mount teardrop mirror on the driver’s side.
The spartan cockpit features exposed tubular framework along with a pair of bare aluminum bucket seats, lap belts, a Vitaloni rearview mirror, and a removable three-spoke steering wheel. The owner had requested a special dash bubble be fabricated to accommodate a suite of classic Porsche 356 gauges. All instrumentation, lights, and electrical features are said to be working properly.
The air-cooled 1600cc single-port flat-four engine was rebuilt and sourced from an early 1960s Volkswagen Beetle, sending power to the rear wheels by way of a VW 4-speed manual gearbox. The reinforced tubular frame features an 8-gallon aluminum fuel tank, VW beam front suspension, and a zero-roll mono-shock rear suspension as used on Formula Vee cars to eliminate wheel tuck. The carburetor has been rebuilt and the car has been fitted with new brakes, brake lines, pedals, shocks, and spindles. The car's weight is approximately 1,050 lbs. and the seller reports some oil leaks.
This sale will include a clean title.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $26,000
- Auction End: Jun 01, 2022 07:47:33PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 18
Comments (31)
Sold for $26,000
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $24,300
Bid in the amount of $24,000
Bid in the amount of $21,300
Bid in the amount of $21,000
Bid in the amount of $19,300
Bid in the amount of $19,000
Bid in the amount of $17,300
Bid in the amount of $17,000
Bid in the amount of $15,300
Bid in the amount of $14,800
Bid in the amount of $10,500
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $9,500
Bid in the amount of $8,800
Bid in the amount of $8,500
@Bruce914 The space is tight for the engine. There is a panel behind the sets that comes out that allows access to the front of the engine. The carb and alternator need to come off and then you can remove the engine. We just put a dual carb 2100 in my buddy's BADEL and it fits. He even added a remote oil cooler. It took some wiggling but we got it in. Could send you picts of that if you like. Please let me know if you have more questions.
Looking from underneath looks like the engine comes out from the top? But doesn't look like much room, how do you remove it? I'm looking at my spare dual carbed 1641 sitting here thinking this might be fun.
@Bruce914 It is titled as a 1961 VW.
What a cool little car - what is it titled as?
@Surfdog1 Hi, I am the other guy that has a car like the one you are looking at. It is a blast to drive and gets attention wherever I take it. These are not production bodies they are one off hand built just like in the 50's when there were craftsmen that knew how to build a Buck out of wood, take a sheet of metal form it up to the Buck with keen eye a hammer and talented hands. When formed parts are ready they weld the parts together to make the body whole. When the bodies are ready they are placed over the hand fabricated tubular frame. Add the running gear and off you go. Not too many craftsmen out there doing this type of work
these days. By the way I am 5'7" not as slim as the seller and I get in and out of the car without removing the steering wheel most of the time.
@wonk Thanks for the questions. The are no cracks near the windscreen. You are looking at the rear of the car. It it the seam that allows it to open. And yes this car is sorta rough in places. He did the whole thing with a buck, hammer and a torch.
I did my best to show the frame. It sits in the car not under it. There is aluminum under the car. The sheet of aluminum under the car has a sheet of blue protective tape that I did not pull off. The frame is in the cock pit. The frame holds up the engine as well so look at the picture of the engine bay as well. There is no rust.
Yes the toggle switch is cheap and it got rusty on the journey. It controls the turn signals.
I hope this helps.
Hi all thanks for the questions. There is not a build sheet. I knew that I was getting a hand crafted aluminum one off body sitting on a custom tube frame with a mono shock, mid engine and WV parts. This car was hand crafted and each car is unique. I did speak to a few people that bought cars from Juan and had a general idea of what I was getting. I should mention that I have owned formula v car and have built a few dune buggies so I was fairly relaxed during the process.
Entry in and out of the car is fairly easy for me with or without the steering wheel being removed. I am 5'11 and I have enough room. My buddy has the other Badel we commissioned and he is heavier than me and confirmed this morning that he does not take the steering wheel out. (he's 72)
Engine. who knows... remember the three C's. First one being Columbia. I had no idea what I was going to get. Here's how I see it. Originally I was going to put in a 356 engine that I had. I then realized Vw way easier and way cheaper. We just popped a built 2100 into the other Badel and did it for less than 2 k. The engine in this car works well and is plenty of power. 2100 is scary. If it breaks its a cheap fix. Hope that helps.
My question is simple.Why on earth would anyone buy a Spyder or Speedster replicar ( and cover if with Porsche badges) when they can have an original car like this. I love this and people like Juan who create them..not just steal an old design but creat there own influenced by a classic shape. Congrats ..love it!
Bid in the amount of $5,500
update - would not be crack in firewall as I forgot for a moment I am looking at a rear engine car =)
body flex?
Also- photo # 19 shows crack in aluminum under windscreen. This is concerning given the low mileage on car since delivery and, I suspect, they would not have shipped this from columbia in this condition. It makes me wonder about expansion from engine bay heat at the fire wall, body flex, etc and how much worse this could get.
Which begs the question - Can you post photos of frame, engine bay - as well as any other cracks in body - as the car sits right now? Rather than during construction?
Also photo #30 shows toggle switches with the fasteners rusted. This seems strange as for cheap parts I assume these were installed new. Did the car get wet in its journey?
I know you are in Cali so shouldn't see rust however this is another reason why seeing the frame and undercarriage now, rather than in columbia, is going to be helpful. I am concerned maybe it sat a long time in storage or water during covid and there is rust present.
It is clear they had oxidation they cleaned / covered up in columbia - just wanting to see where it is now.
Thanks .
hi!
I have a few questions
1. can you post the original build sheet / invoice (equivalent to window sticker which is common practice for a post)
2. do you or juan know how many miles on original engine?
3. how tall are you? looks like steering wheel removal is necessary to get in and out - just wondering more about comfort once inside. ie: I am 6'-0" and have test driven a couple speedster replicas (which for me this is most akin to) and they were miserable to drive
3a. if you had to escape from car, being that steering wheel needs to be removed to get out, do you think this is possible?
4. is there a reserve price? (I am not asking what that is, just if there is one)
thanks!
Hi all. Up for grabs is my 480 Spyder. I am here in southern California and will happily show the car to anyone who is interested in seeing it in person. I am in town until Sunday. I will also do my best to answer any questions you all may have. I am an avid car enthusiast and have been collecting for 40 plus years. I enjoy the hunt and love tackling the challenge of fixing broken or worn out old cars. I am in the process of moving cross country and will be losing my garage space so be on the look out for some of my other prized possessions. This project was fun and Juan is a great guy but it had some challenges; Covid, Columbia and Customs. To name a few. This car is a riot to drive and it is a fun car at shows. Happy bidding.