Built from 1938 until 1974 when it was replaced by the Golf (although continuation models were built in some markets until the early 2000s) the Beetle, or Volkswagen Type 1, is a small, economy car that has achieved legendary status. An icon of the counter-culture and surf scenes, the Type 1 has become one of the most beloved and recognisable vehicles on the planet.
First registered in the UK when new in October 1974, this is one of the last Type 1 Beetles to be registered new in the UK as the model was being replaced in VW’s European line-up by the Golf.
We don’t know much about the car’s history before 2001. What we do know is that since then, it was been owned by the same family for 21 years and was extensively restored, both cosmetically and mechanically, from 2001-2007.
One of the things that was discovered during the rebuild was that the car’s original factory colour was Rally Yellow. At some point in its life it had been repainted in dark green. So the owner decided to restore it to its factory specification, and we think it looks so much better for it.
Since that time, it has been dry-stored and used only in good weather. It’s a matching numbers vehicle and has covered just 10,000 miles since it was recommissioned in 2007. In fact, since 2015 it has done less than 1,000 miles.
As the car has historic vehicle status, it is road tax and MOT exempt. Nevertheless the owner has just put a fresh MOT on the car which runs to 6th February 2023. The current owner purchased the car at the end of 2021, but sadly an unforeseen event is forcing its reluctant sale.
The history file for this car is extensive. As well as the V5 and a large number of receipts for replacement parts and maintenance items, there is an extensive photographic record of the car’s restoration and recommissioning.
An extensive MOT history is present, which confirms the low mileage and also the car’s minimal use over the last 7 years. The owner is also including a period correct “Pittman’s all-in-one manual” and a Haynes Workshop Manual.
All in all, the paperwork for the car gives you a real insight into just how much work went into restoring the vehicle, and gives confidence that there’s plenty of life left in this charming little car.
As with the rest of the vehicle, the interior is very original. When the car was restored, care was clearly taken to restore the car to factory spec as much as possible.
From the off-white vinyl headlining and dark grey carpets to the weave-effect black vinyl seats, much of the interior is just as it would have come from the factory. Overall, the vinyl trim pieces and carpets are in good condition, with some evidence of wear from age and use, but no significant wear or damage.
The dash is the standard body-coloured metal design found in all 1300 Type 1s. A repro period stereo has been fitted, which is in good condition, and all of the switchgear and controls work as they should and are in very condition for the vehicle’s age – especially as most of the interior is original.
The door rubbers need to be looked at, especially on the passenger side door as they don’t appear to be seated correctly, but this should be a reasonably simple fix.
Behind the rear seats is a luggage area that is also lined with grey carpet and is in good condition, as is the front trunk area. That contains a full size spare, is lined with grey carpet and is all very solid and clean. Underneath the spare wheel, the well appears to have been replaced when the car was refurbished and is in good condition.
The first thing that strikes you about this little car is the gloriously sunny colour. Rally Yellow is a deep, lemony yellow that looks fantastic in the sunshine. It’s great that, during the restoration, the owner decided to restore the car to its factory colour.
The paint is mostly in good condition, as you’d expect from a car that’s spent all of that time kept away from rain and dry-stored.
However, it has been almost 15 years since the car was restored, and therefore some indications of wear and marks are evident in the paint. There are also a couple of areas, such as around the OSF headlight, where very minor cracks and small amounts of surface corrosion are just starting to show.
Nothing we saw would worry us, and the issues appear to be minor and should be easy to fix. With a little work and a good polish, the paint would truly be back to its best.
All of the panels and items of brightwork are very tidy, straight and solid. Nothing is missing or damaged and it is all very original and unmodified, which is rare to see these days, as the majority of Type 1 Beetles on the road have been modified.
Underneath the car, the chassis, floor pans and suspension components all appear to be in good order and in very good condition. The sills, wheel arches and valances – often problem areas on these cars – all look very solid and tidy, with no evidence of serious corrosion or damage that we could see.
Mechanically, the car has had significant restoration work done, including a full engine rebuild with new crankshaft and cylinder head. The little 1,285cc unit fires up well, burbling with the classic Beetle sound, and idling smoothly.
When we drove in the car, it pulled along very nicely, performing just as you’d expect a well-sorted Beetle of this vintage to perform. All of the suspension components, brakes and transmission seemed to perform well, with the gears shifting easily, the throttle and brakes reacting predictably and no creaking, bouncing or whirring from the suspension and gearbox.
It should perhaps be no surprise that the car drives so well, as when you examine the paperwork you see just how much of the car’s drivetrain was reconditioned or replaced. Tasteful and practical upgrades were also made – the original single carb was changed for a twin Weber set up, while the sometimes flaky standard ignition was changed for a more modern electric ignition.
Along with the car, the owner is including the original carburetor, air box and manifold. So if a future owner wished to return the car to completely original specification, that could easily be done.
Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying that the Beetle is an absolute icon of motoring. As the original “people’s car”, it genuinely democratised transportation in a way nothing since Ford’s Model T had.
Many of us either had a Beetle as one of our first cars, or knew someone that did. For millions of people, the Beetle is the epitome of joyful, cheap, carefree motoring.
As a classic car they make a lot of sense. They’re simple to work on, parts are abundant and cheap, and the community is vast and worldwide. Beetles are welcomed everywhere, and for many people that’s the key appeal. They’re a friendly, loveable car.
When you look at this particular vehicle, there’s much to recommend it. Having undergone a massive restoration, it’s a car that is in excellent mechanical condition, benefitting from some wisely chosen modifications to make it more reliable too.
Yes, there’s a small amount of bodywork required to bring the paint back to perfect condition, but it really is quite minimal. The fact that the car has a fresh MOT should give anyone plenty of confidence in its mechanical quality and solidness.
And you can’t ignore that fantastic colour – when was the last time you saw a factory Rally Yellow Beetle? We don’t think we’ve ever seen one on the road, and it’s a proper breath of fresh air. Even on the short drive we had in the car, we got a couple of thumbs-up from fellow drivers. It’s just that sort of car, something that makes people smile.
If you’ve always had a hankering for a Beetle, but never dipped your toe in the VW waters, this would be the perfect opportunity to dive right in. It’s a solid, mechanically sorted and fun little car.
We imagine that whoever buys this is going to have a cracking summer visiting all the classic and VW shows around Britain, showing off this sunny little gem. We know that’s what we’d do…
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1974 Type 1 VW Beetle 1300
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