Registration - FMU 658V

Chassis No. - TBC

M.O.T. - 18th May 2023

Odometer - TBC

This very tidy looking Beetle 1303 features white bodywork teamed with cream upholstery and a beige hood. Originally a lefthand drive example, it was imported to the UK in 1990, at which point the steering wheel was moved to the other side. The vendor informs us that the car was treated to a respray in its original livery of Alpine White approximately nine years ago, and that the hood, heater channels and floors were renewed only recently. She presently grades the 1570cc engine, four-speed manual transmission and electrical system as ‘good’ and the convertible bodywork, paintwork and interior trim as ‘average’, and is now offering the ‘Bug’ for sale complete with an assortment of receipts and old MOTs dating back to 1991, plus a current one valid until May 18 next year. There are also some photographs of the vehicle as it was in 1994.

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 newcomer finally went into production in 1938 and, while it inevitably evolved over the years, the basic concept was never altered. The four-seat convertible version was manufactured by Karmann from 1949 until 1980, during which time 331,847 were produced. It was generally better equipped than the saloon and the chassis was heavily strengthened to compensate for the removal of the roof.

In summary:

• A tidy example of a perennially popular model
• Resprayed approximately nine years ago
• Recently treated to a new hood, heater channels and floors