Description
Due to a change in circumstances I am listing my 1967 1200 ‘Sparkafer’ Beetle for sale.
This car was bought new and registered in 1968 (hence the F reg) and remained under single family ownership until 2015. It was driven daily until around the early 80s, and was then essentially stored until around 2000, at which point the family gave it a gentle restore (an external respray, a reconditioned engine as the old one had seized from sitting, and refreshing of various components). Despite this, much of the car is still very much original, and extremely unusually for a UK car, it has never had any welding repairs done and remains totally solid underneath, protected with a recent application of waxoyl and high quality rustproofing products into all the various box sections and problem areas (doors/ rear quarters etc.).
After it was sold in 2015 it went to a classic car collector who ‘deluxed’ it; that is to say, fitted extra chrome, front foglamps, and overriders. The next owner, with who I am still in touch, kept the car like this.
Under my ownership I have sought as far as possible to return it to stock - it being a 1200, it should not have the extra chrome etc.. I actually visited the previous owner to retrieve various (original) parts that had been removed to refit them. The only thing remaining now that is ‘incorrect’ is the chrome strip on the bonnet, but this would require repainting and welding up the holes. There are pictures I can show you of the car when I bought it, with all this extra chrome on it.
Under my ownership much money has been spent to make sure it has everything it needs, and it is very much a reliable drivers car, which in my opinion feels just as good as a modern car, but is obviously more fun to drive; under my ownership it has done roughly 15, 000 miles. I have been very on top of oil changes, usually every 2000 miles due to city driving, and all other normal service items. I even got the original 6 volt Dynamo converted to 12v, so it looks as stock as possible in the engine compartment with the advantages of 12v electronics. I’ve also had the carburettor rebuilt by Rage in Holland, so that runs fantastically. It has a Retrosound radio unit which I think looks in keeping with the style, but this has the advantage of Bluetooth built in as well as radio and aux, so it’s possible to listen to your music as you would in a modern car. This was fitted after purchase; the original AM radio was cool but very impractical. I have held onto all parts removed from the car.
This car has been a joy to own, and I will be selling it with a heavy heart. It does, however, deserve to be pampered more and treated as the brilliant car it is, and I just don’t have the time these days.
There are a few small spots on the bodywork which could do with some light attention, but these are by no means serious and the car cleans up very nicely indeed.
Overall, here is a highly original and very well sorted Beetle that is a fantastic car as it currently is, but could also be easily taken to best in show levels - I just don’t have the time to do that these days.
Please feel free to message or call me with any questions.
