1973 Volkswagen Beetle *Sold £5,850*

Description

• Bespoke built 1600cc twin carb engine 
• Heritage certificate 
• Extensive restoration 
• 29 Years with the same owner 

Everybody knows the VW Beetle. An automotive icon that’s eternally cool. VW Beetles make timeless practical classics. The essential design has remained the same. Rear air-cooled engine with rear wheel drive, mounted in a distinctive looking body. The VW Beetle is one of the most recognisable cars in the world and there are still a good few left of the 21 million Beetles built. The challenge today, however, is finding a good one. 

History / Background 

• First registered 27th August 1973 
• Owned by our vendor since 1994 
• Restoration completed around 2012 
• New engine fitted around 2018 
• MOTs every year up until 2019 

Outside 

• Ruby Red 
• Alloy wheels 
• 185/65/15 Goodyears 
• Early style front and rear bumpers with over-riders 
• Chrome front air vents 
• Flat headlamp conversion 
• Front driving lamps with covers 
• New floor pans 
• Heater channels replaced 
• Fully undersealed 
• Cavity waxed 
• Professional bare metal respray by specialist body shop 

If you know your VW Beetles, you’ll know the Achilles heel is the dreaded tin worm that affects certain panels. When this VW Beetle’s body was rebuilt, you can see the extent to which that has been addressed. The subtle modifications have improved an already cool car. 

Mechanicals 

• 1600cc Twin carb engine 
• Alternator conversion 
• Twin SU carburettors 
• Bespoke engine built by a well-known VW specialist 
• Slightly lowered front beam 
• Front disc brake conversion 

The VW mechanicals are bomb proof. This classic VW Beetle has had professional subtle upgrades which enhance both its performance and driveability. 

Inside 

• Interior professionally retrimmed 
• Black vinyl Tombstone seats 
• Headlining replaced 
• Rear parcel shelf and storage space 
• Rear seatbelts 
• Wooden gear lever knob 
• Original steering wheel with Wolfsburg black & chrome horn push 
• Modern CD/DAB Radio with Bluetooth connectivity 
• Twin front door speakers 
• Chrome ‘Beetle’ monogrammed sill trims 

The interior of the VW Beetle has always been a by-word for simplicity. This one has had an expensive overhaul with thoughtful upgrades. 

Additional info 

After coming up for 30 years of ownership, no-one knows this VW Beetle like our vendor Ian does. Here’s what he shared with us: 

“I purchased the VW Beetle from the village garage in August 1994 when the last MOT ran out and before the work began. The car was a metallic gold originally. 

The car has had a full nut and bolt restoration with no limits on cost. The restoration was completed some 12 years ago now, but the quality of the work carried out keeps the car still looking good. 

The Beetle, as seen in the first photo, has had new floor pans, new heater channels, a lowered front beam with lowered shock absorbers & front disc brakes to make it stop nicely. 

It had a full bare metal respray by a trained VW bodywork specialist at HRC Body and Paint shop. Every cavity in the car has been treated with wax oil. The underside of the car completely covered in Hammerite underbody seal and the shiny parts with Hammerite paints. 

The upholstery and roof lining were all professionally installed by R J Turner Car Trimming who specialise in classic interior renovations. 

I had a 1600 engine built for me by a VW air cooled specialist, Steve Strong in Brentwood. It runs well with twin SU carburettors. 

The photo of the car’s Birth certificate received from the VW Museum shows it left the factory in Belgium on 27th August 1973. 

I finally got the car MOT’d and back on the road 28th May 2011. It had been MOT’d every year with no advisories until the last one expired in May 2019. Due to the new laws and the Beetle’s age, it no longer needed an MOT. It is reverse read as a historic vehicle. No tax either. There are signs of paint bubbles, as per pictures, on the bottom rear on both front wings. It also has a Sony CD radio with DAB & Bluetooth hands free. 

The mileage shown on the clock is not the overall mileage the Beetle has done but can be seen on more recent mots the new engine having been in the car about 6 years and not doing many miles each year is like new. 

It has been garaged the whole time I have had the car – some 29 years. I didn’t get around to changing the logbook to a 1600 engine, so it still shows 1300”. 

Summary 

Style, character and charisma. Also, utterly charming. In practical terms, this VW Beetle is easy to live with, easy to tinker with and reliable. Super capable too, whether it is as a daily driver, doing the school run or weekends away at events. 

Despite there being a huge number of VW Beetles still around, sorting the good from the bad can be laborious, not to say risky. This one has: 

• Long term ownership 
• Photographic restoration 
• Heaps of money spent on it 

It’s not just the big things, it’s the attention to detail that makes this VW Beetle a bit special. 

Take a good look in the Gallery. Ask us as many questions as you like. To be clear, VW Beetles like this do not come along every day.