1976 Volkswagen Beetle Karmann Convertible *Sold £18,000*

Description

• Rare RHD
• Three former keepers
• AS engine number
• Original stamped Service Book
• Factory Ziebart Corrosion protection
• Large history file of invoices, MOTs and the original spare key

With its charming design, smooth performance, and endless character, it is little wonder the air-cooled Beetle is the best-selling car of all time. And it will be no surprise if you fall head over heels in love with this smashing RHD Karmann Convertible.

History

• First registered 3 November 1976
• Our vendor has owned this 2017
• Prior to that the Beetle has had only three former keepers.
• The MOT history shows 43,162 in 2006. In August 2021, the history shows 43,657
• Ziebart Corrosion protection – we never tire of saying what a difference this makes
• A good file of invoices and previous MOTs adding to the provenance

In 1948 Wilhelm Karmann bought his first VW Beetle. Then promptly converted it into a four-seated convertible. After he presented his creation to the hierarchy at Wolfsburg, the Beetle Convertible quickly began production a year later, by Karmann in Osnabrück.

However, the VW Beetle Karmann Convertible was more than a Beetle with the roof cut off.

To compensate for the strength lost in removing the roof;

• The sills were reinforced with welded U-channel rails
• A crosswise beam was fitted below the front edge of the rear seat cushion
• The side panels below the instrument panel were double walled.
• The lower corners of the door apertures had curved support gussets
• And finally, the doors had secondary alignment wedges at the B-pillar sections

Karmann were not finished.

• The convertible style roof had a full inner headliner hiding the folding mechanism and crossbars
• In between the two top layers of the roof was 25mm of insulation
• The rear window was tempered safety glass.
• Due to the thickness of the roof, the rear-view mirror was mounted on an offset pivot to aid rear sightlines.

The attention to detail was incredible and it took the VW Beetle Karmann to another level.

Outside

• Clean, tidy Timor Bronze Metallic paintwork.
• Parchment Beige convertible hood

The unmistakable shape is instantly recognisable. However, the 1303 Beetle was the last in the VW Beetle line and was the culmination of several years of gradual improvement.

• The front indicators were moved from being stuck on the top of the wings as some kind of afterthought, to fully integrated into the front bumper
• At the rear, the indicators formed part of the larger ‘Elephant’s foot’ rear lamp cluster
• This gives this later Beetle a clean, uncluttered look
• The 1303 came with the immense improvement of a curved windscreen instead of the previous flat one. That added to the curvaceous style but also gave more space inside too. Your nose now didn’t touch the screen.
• The conservative German designers threw caution to the wind and offered the 1303 LS in metallic colours for the first time too.

The bodywork on this VW Beetle Karmann Convertible looks really smart. The boot, bonnet and doors all have good clean shut lines.

The brightwork around the window frames, the door handle and bumpers all look to be in good order.

The glass is in great shape, including the heated rear window that makes up part of the convertible hood. The roof itself operates smoothly, the material is in great condition, and it fits really well.

Mechanicals

• 1600cc twin port engine with AS engine prefix
• Macpherson struts at the front
• Semi trailing arms at the rear
• Stamped Service Book

The 1600cc twin port engine is considered by many to the best and most reliable of the Beetle power units. It easily keeps up with modern traffic, will cope easily with motorway conditions and provides lively performance if you want it too. Twin discs were fitted at the front to improve braking performance.

There are nice touches of originality here such as the original air filter etc. It looks very good.

Inside

The Parchment Beige interior is in very good condition. The 1303 LS Convertible came with the soft top dashboard, a first for the Beetle.

The original four spoke steering with the Wolfsburg Castle embossed on the horn push is still in place.

The door cards, with pleated door pockets are in good condition.

Due to the attention to detail and the over-engineering of Karmann when the hood is up, the inside is quiet and comfortable. Of course, the best option is the roof and all four drop glasses down but wait until summer proper arrives for that level of undiluted joy.

Summary

Practical. And practically perfect. These are a very rare treat nowadays.

This VW Karmann Beetle is wonderfully preserved. We never tire of saying what a difference that optional Ziebart corrosion protection provides. This is proof.

There are multiple reasons why this VW Karmann Beetle Convertible is such a find. Character. Style. Reliability. Condition. Exclusivity. The list is endless. You’ll struggle, a lot, to find another one like this.

Good luck! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Walsall, WS90 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this VW Beetle Karmann? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Good luck! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this VW Beetle Karmann? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

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Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

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