1965 Volkswagen Beetle 1200

Highlights 

  • An unusually original and honest example of a ’65 Beetle

  • A fascinating and rare provenance having been in one family’s ownership since new

  • Having just been fully recommissioned for regular use by a renowned classic VW specialist

The Appeal


Most will know how Disney decided on the VW Beetle as the subject of their popular Herbie films. They parked a number of different cars of the period outside their Burbank studios and watched the staff’s reactions to each. It was the Beetle that everyone seemed to gravitate towards, sitting inside, honking the horn and the like.

This delightful and faithfully original Beetle certainly exudes that same irrepressible personality and innate appeal by the bucket load. It’s in great condition but it’s not quite a concourse standard show car. In many ways it is better for that too. This means it remains eminently useable and the current VW specialist owner has intentionally retained that legendary Beetle practicality.

The History and Paperwork

  • This car was understood to have been bought new in 1965 by a private owner in Cheshire

  • In 1990 the car underwent a restoration at a cost of around £3,000 (approximately £7,500 at today’s values)

  • The car underwent bodywork and an engine rebuild at that point

  • The car was also professionally resprayed changing from Sea Blue to the current Pearl White

  • This original owner was thought to have retained the car until 1993 when his son took ownership

  • The Beetle was then understood to be lightly used until around 1994 when it was put into storage

  • The original owner’s grandson is thought to have started to lightly use the car in around 2020 

  • The car was put through an MOT in 2020 despite its Historic Vehicle status

  • The MOT was passed without advisories

  • A renowned classic VW specialist acquired the car this year

  • The car has undergone a thorough recommissioning to ensure an exceptional standard for the new owner

  • The car is complete with an interesting paperwork file

  • This includes the current V5 and many previous MOT copies

  • The original owners’ manual is present complete with interesting notations by the previous owners

  • There are a number of invoices present detailing work undertaken

  • This includes the details of the 1990 restoration

  • The car is registered as a Historic Vehicle

  • As such it is understood the be MOT and VED exempt


The Interior

  • The interior of this Beetle is a delightful time-capsule

  • In a highly original condition, it presents in a charming condition

  • The seats are covered in the, seemingly, original “Platinum” fabric

  • The condition of all seats and seat backs is very good considering the originality

  • The door cards are vinyl covered and in great, used condition

  • The grey cord carpeting has been replaced in the recent recommissioning

  • The headlining is the original, perforated vinyl set and in good, used condition

  • The body-coloured dash is in excellent condition with all the correct chrome embellishments

  • The two spoke steering wheel with it’s Wolfsburg boss is an original item

  • The front boot contains the spare wheel and spare fan belt in a “Beetle configuration”


The interior of this Beetle is charmingly original with all the iconic Beetle touches present, correct and in excellent used condition. The familiar Platinum seat fabric is in fine fettle and the painted dash is bright and pristine.
The delightful under dash, woven storage shelf and basic but signature speedometer helps remind you of what the motoring world looked like back in 1965. It’s a pleasingly nostalgic experience and one not to be missed.

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The Exterior

  • As detailed above, this Beetle was professionally resprayed in around 1990

  • That work has lasted very well with the Pearl White paintwork presenting very well overall

  • It is not without the odd, age-appropriate mark here and there of course

  • The panel gaps are tight and symmetrical considering the age of the car

  • The operation of doors and opening panels is good and precise

  • The chrome work is bright and shiny 

  • All light lenses and cabin glass appear to be original and in great condition throughout

  • The wheels have been repainted as part of the recent recommissioning

  • The wheels are fitted with the signature, domed and chromed VW hubcaps 

  • New Hankook tyres in the period-correct size and configuration have been fitted all round

This little Bug presents very well indeed, and the Pearl White paintwork and very solid bodywork leave the viewer with a very positive impression overall. It is refreshing to see a Beetle of this period in true, “as Wolfsburg intended” trim too. It serves as a timely reminded of what a truly pioneering piece of automotive design the original Peoples’ Car really was.

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The Mechanics

  • This Beetle is fitted with the familiar 1200cc, air-cooled VW engine

  • The engine is known to have been fully rebuilt in 1990 

  • The paperwork suggests that the car has covered a miniscule mileage since then

  • The car has recently undergone a specialist mechanical recommissioning too

  • Little work was required at this point, but some items have been replaced such as the distributor cap and HT leads

  • The car has recently been serviced and covered just a few miles since

  • We witnessed the car start and run and can report that it operated without issue

On the way to the photo location, we followed the little Beetle and can attest to how well the car started and ran and how nippy it seemed belying it’s modest engine capacity and power output. The vendor is a classic VW specialist of some renown and has been sure to carefully recommission the car to provide a 1965 Beetle which can be driven to the supermarket one day and to the classic car show the following day.

Summary

Given the huge production numbers of the original Beetle it is not a particularly rare sight today. What is rare, however, is to find one of this early a vintage that hasn’t been modified, often not that tastefully. To see one in this very honest and original condition is really refreshing and makes the car stand out all the more.

This example walks the perfect line between condition and usability too. As you will see from the photographic package it is in excellent condition throughout. It’s not concourse, however, making it a much more practical proposition for an owner who wants to use and enjoy the car. 

With it’s charming “one-family provenance” this little VW Beetle really represents a very compelling proposition for an enthusiastic and well-informed new ow

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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1965
  • Make Volkswagen
  • Model Beetle 1200
  • Colour White
  • Odometer 25,468 Miles
  • Engine size 1192
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Trade
  • Location Leicestershire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
12 bids from 5 bidders
  • Be•••• £10,000 06/07/22
  • Be•••• £9,700 06/07/22
  • gf•••• £9,400 06/07/22
  • Be•••• £9,100 06/07/22
  • gf•••• £9,000 06/07/22
  • Be•••• £8,500 03/07/22
  • Sa•••• £8,250 02/07/22
  • ad•••• £8,000 02/07/22
  • 50•••• £7,500 30/06/22
  • ad•••• £7,000 30/06/22
Message C&C Auction Team

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