The Marathon Beetle (also known as 'Weltmeister') was a special edition produced in 1972 to commemorate the Beetle becoming the best-selling car in automotive history when the 15,007,034th Beetle rolled off the line, overtaking the previous record holder - the legendary Ford Model T (1908 - 1927).
Approximately 6,000 cars were produced in 2 factories. Wolfsburg, Germany and Dieteren, Belgium (where this car originated).
The most notable features of the model are the unique Marathonblau-metallic (L96M) paint and the 41⁄2J x 15 Lemmerz 1511 Sports wheels with hexagonal VW aluminium stub covers.
The vendor’s grandfather bought this one in Belgium in 1977 as a used car and taken to his home in the Czech Republic. It was inherited by the vendor in 1991. He then used it occasionally for the next 20 years. The car was given a comprehensive restoration before he brought it with him to the UK in 2011 Looking through the incredible history, supported by lots of documentation over their 45 year ownership, it's clear that the family have loved and cherished this little bug.
Whilst there, the car was given a comprehensive restoration before he brought it with him to the UK.
He describes the sale as difficult, but he is no longer using the car and wants his family heirloom, which is UK registered and tax and MOT-exempt, to find a new long-term loving home. 35.JPG1.67 MB
THE INTERIOR
• Black vinyl seats
• Perforated trim
• Original radio
It’s basic, as you’d expect from a Beetle, but the cabin of this Marathon model is in excellent order with no major issues or signs of wear.
The seats weren’t retrimmed when the car was restored and are wholly original, though replacement lift levers have been fitted and there are some signs of wear to the seat backs.
It comes with its original push-button radio, though this is currently non-functional. 18.JPG603.48 KB
THE EXTERIOR
• Unique Marathon Blue
• Slightly lowered
• No visible rust or damage
• Always garaged
The Beetle was comprehensively restored by a specialist in the Czech Republic in 2011 and it has been garaged and lovingly cared for since.
The vendor describes it as very good on top and underneath, with a few marks under one headlight and some barely visible scratches in the paint – but overall in very good order throughout. 5.JPG2.73 MB
THE MECHANICS
• Drives well
• Only 90,000km from new
• Well serviced and maintained
The vendor describes the Beetle as being in very good mechanical order.
The original engine has been carefully maintained for all of its life but has never been rebuilt.
It run well with very little smoke. Similarly, there are no known issues with the brakes, steering or suspension, which are all said by the vendor to be in excellent order.
This is a really good example of a very rare example of an all-time classic.
The Marathon Edition is one of the rarest and most sought-after Beetles and is extremely rare in the UK. This one has been owned and loved by the same family from the very day it left the factory.
It’s an incredible car with an incredible story to tell.
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