Registration - HUM 279G

Chassis No. - 119710361

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 74,127

Very little is known about this righthand drive Beetle, other than at some stage it is believed to have been fully rebuilt with a new 1600cc engine and, as you can see, treated to a bespoke cabriolet conversion. The vendor presently classes the powerplant and four-speed transmission as ‘excellent’, the bodywork and red paintwork as ‘good’, and the black interior trim as ‘average’. The conversion includes a sturdy roll-over bar and a pair of dumb irons in place of the front bumper. ‘HUM 279G’ appears to have had just six keepers since being first registered in June 1969, and the total indicated mileage of 74,127, though unwarranted, is certainly totally credible. A unique opportunity.

The story of the Volkswagen Beetle is like no other. Sixty-six years of production, over 21 million examples manufactured, production on five continents etc – the statistics are just staggering, as is the car’s history. In 1933, Hitler ordered Ferdinand Porsche to design and develop a ‘volkswagen’ (a people’s car). It needed to be a basic, affordable vehicle capable of transporting two adults and up to three children at speeds of up to 100kph (ie 62mph). The plan was to offer it to citizens of the Third Reich via a savings scheme. The newcomer finally went into production in 1938 and, while it inevitably evolved over the years (it is said to have benefited from 78,000 incremental changes), the basic concept was never altered. The familiar two-door Beetle-shaped body was affixed to the car’s almost flat chassis by just 18 bolts. A raised centre tunnel provided the required rigidity. Power came from a rear-mounted flat-four, air-cooled engine. Suspension was independent by torsion bars all round.

In summary:

• An apparently fully rebuilt example
• The subject of a bespoke cabriolet conversion
• Powered by a recently installed 1600c engine