∙Recent hood and custom hood sock

∙Twin EMPI carbs and High-performance exhaust system

∙Genuine Porsche Fuchs wheels and seats

The VW Beetle, probably one of the most loved cars in the world, was manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 1939 until 2003. Starting life as a car built for the people the VW Beetle has gained cult status over the years and is now seen as true motoring icon.

The 1303 or ‘Super Beetle, as it is sometimes referred to, is the most advanced version VW ever produced, featuring larger engines, improved suspension and braking over previous models.

The VW Beetle is also a firm favourite of ‘customisers’ who like to take a stock car and then modify it to suit their tastes. This is one such example.

This impressive looking custom Beetle started life in Florida USA before being imported into the UK in 1990.

As to when and where all the considerable customisation and upgrading programme took place, the current owner has no information as he bought it just over a year ago as salvage and after a full respray last August 2020 has spent a year tweeking and reconditioning many features of the car.

It has had 12 UK owners and been declared CAT ‘S’ due to a carb fire that damaged the original roof in several areas, which was down at the time, and the rear body panel and rear bonnet. With an original VW roof parts unavailable the insurance company naturally made the above decision.

An initial attempt to just repair/refinish the 2 body panels in question produced a result that wasn’t to the current owners high standards thus the body shell received a complete respray in the very striking VW Tornado Red you see in the pictures. A new custom ‘Hood Sock’ with red pin-stripe was commissioned to complete the renovation.

The Beetle has been independently assessed after the repairs and deemed perfectly roadworthy and insurable and is currently a daily driver. This Beetle also comes with some very nice ‘extras’ that have all been added by previous owners to a very high standard indeed with many new parts added recently to give the car a great driving experience!

The car has had 4 high quality widened fibreglass wings fitted that house the highly polished original 16” Porsche Fuchs alloys. It has lowered and adjustable spring suspension and adjustable gas shock absorbers at the rear, recently replaced suspension strut inserts at the front, and all-round Urethane suspension bushes. It has a new steering box and steering rods and uprated disc brakes.

The engine is 1,776cc and breathes through two Empi carbs and a performance air filter exhales through a high performance CSP exhaust system all orchestrated through Flame Thrower high performance ignition leads. The upgrades don’t stop there. You’ll find it has had an Alternator conversion kit, a Serpentine pulley system, an oil temperature dip-stick, a chrome fan housing, a deep engine sump, a Pioneer sound system and speakers.

Many other extras can be viewed from the images.

The car is registered on the V5 as CAT ‘S’ and it should be noted that the V5 shows the car as having a 1600cc engine so these details need to be updated.

Although exempt from MOT and Road Tax the car will come with a full year’s MOT and is currently having a full service.

The interior is a step up from the usual Beetle interior, and the original Porsche leather seats and steering wheel that have been fitted, suit the car’s character very well. The front seats have electric adjustment and the rear seat has been re-upholstered to match the leather of those in the front. Gears are selected through a chromed Empi short-shift gear lever.

There are some additional gauges that have been added to show revs, battery voltage and oil temperature. The whole interior is in great condition and there is very little sign of wear on the carpets or door cards.

With its widened wings and wheel arches and a full body re-spray and new convertible hood the car looks fantastic and it’s hard to find fault.

The 16” Porsche wheels, fitted with titanium nuts, really suit the look of the car and are all in very good condition with good tyres all round.

The boot is clean, free from any damp, and houses a Porsche space saver spare wheel, a strut brace and a washer bottle for the electric windscreen washer.

A look inside the engine bay gives a good idea of how well this car has been kept and the attention to detail in upgrading hoses, belts and other items in line with the overall professional customisation this car has undergone.

The service history is relatively unknown, but it looks like a car that has been well serviced over the years.

The current owner reports that it is a great car to drive with no issues of faults that he is aware of. The way it drives and performs is nothing like a ‘normal’ 1303s and the car’s overall driveability and ‘fun factor’ is all the better for that.

A VW Beetle that looks like this one and has had a whole host of performance and cosmetic improvements lavished upon it is probably not a car for the car collecting purist who tend to like their classics original and unmolested. 

This is one for someone who wants those fabulous iconic Beetle looks coupled with a modern day take on handling, braking and all round performance and of course, a huge helping of character.

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