・Recent full restoration, with rebuilt engine and gearbox ・Lightly used and carefully stored since ・Ready to enjoy or, with a few tweaks, could be back to its award-winning best
The Background
What’s the best-selling car in the world? Though Volkswagen claimed the title for the Beetle in 1972 when it announced that production numbers had surpassed that of the Ford Model T, it turns out to be a slightly vexed question these days. When you count production numbers across generations of models with the same name, the VW Golf now exceeds the Beetle but then the Ford F-series pickup and Toyota Corolla have both clocked up considerably more. But with more than 21.5 million produced between 1938 and 2003, the Beetle can at least claim to have the longest-running and most numerous production run of a single car platform ever.
That said, VW could be said to be trying to have its cake and it eat when it stated that the platform was ‘substantially unchanged’ for the purposes of adding up production numbers, when for the 1971 model year the Beetle had received some comprehensive changes under the covers that saw it adopt the name ‘Super Beetle’. The new version came with a Macpherson strut front end and new semi-trailing arms with double-jointed driveshafts at the rear for improved handling. Although the bodywork was the same from the (still flat) windscreen back, the new larger boot at the front, which accommodated the spare wheel flat under the floor, meant that the car was lengthened by 3 inches at the front.
But for all the popularity of the Beetle, the convertible (or ‘Cabriolet’) remains a good deal rarer, accounting for less than 2% of overall production. There were initially two coach builders producing the soft top conversion: Hebmüller, who got to market first in 1948 and Karmann who started in 1949. Unfortunately, the Hebmüller factory was destroyed by fire in 1953 putting an end to their production and Karmann continued unrivalled. Noted for the quality of the multi-layered hood, and the rigorous approach to chassis reinforcement, the Karmann cabriolet matched the evolution of the base car and for 1971 was offered in 1302LS Super Beetle guise with the 1584cc air cooled flat four engine and disk brakes of the 1302S and the ‘L’ denoting the ‘luxury’ trim package.
The classic VW scene is a very broad church and this model will be welcome at a variety of events when such things get going again as well as being a cool way to enjoy the summer sunshine.
Build commenced on this example on 29th October 1970 and it left the factory on 05 November 1970. The car was offered for sale in Lehrte in Hanover, Germany and was snapped up two weeks later. It remained in Germany until 1983 when it was exported to the UK and first registered here on 22nd December 1983. The car had three owners up to 2008 when it was taken off the road for refurbishment. Due to unforeseen circumstances the work was never completed and it was acquired in 2017 by the current owner with the seats, hood, lights and bumpers and many of the original detail parts accompanying the shell which been stripped, sandblasted and repainted.
Since then it has been restored to its former glory by a VW Specialist on the North Norfolk coast who sourced a rebuilt engine and gearbox from The Engine Shop and added a Bosch alternator, starter motor and battery and an OE quality clutch made by LUK. It was then meticulously reassembled and has been lightly used with regular servicing and waxoyling to keep it in peak condition, while being stored in a dry barn when not in use. With a new camper van project on the way, the owner now needs to make space and is offering the car for sale.
The cars is accompanied by a detailed file which contains documentation from throughout the car’s history with less detail between 2008, when the car was taken off the road, and 2017 when it passed to the current owner. The file contains a letter from Wolfsburg confirming the production details, the original motor vehicle registration (or ‘Kraftfahrzeugbrief’ – gotta love those German compound words) dated the 19th November 1970, the original (German) number plate, the instruction manual, operating manual along and other documentation from the period.
Also included are details of the German and British ownership history including service invoices and old MOT certificates, the import documentation and photographs from the car’s 1995 appearance at the British VW Festival where it scored highly and the Stanford Hall Concours d’Elegance in 2008 where it won a First in Class award. Since 2017, all of the restoration work has been fully documented and photographed, including invoices for all of the parts which were procured to complete the build.
The upholstery is finished in a fetching shade of ‘Gala’ red which perfectly complements the metallic paintwork which is shown as silver on the V5, although it looks to have a blue tinge now. Assembled from the parts that were still with the car when it was bought and sourced original parts wherever possible, the finish is very close to the original spec. It just requires a carpet set, a horn press for the steering wheel, a padded dashboard and a higher spec period radio to be absolutely complete. All of these are readily available and not outrageously expensive.
It could certainly be enjoyed as-is, though, and of particular note is the condition of the black vinyl hood which has no rips or tears to the outside and only minor wear inside, with the heated glass rear window in fine condition.
The paintwork is generally in very good condition with just a few blemishes to note. There is a touched in scratch on the front boot lid and some light bubbling and a chip to the lower edge, and some scratches on the nearside front wing. The rear deck has also rubbed on the bodywork at the bottom. The bodywork is very straight, save for a very small dent on the front offside wing. None of this detracts, however, from making this a real head-turner. The re-chromed bumpers remain in great condition to match the rest of the chrome work, including the window and light surrounds. Lemmertz wheels were a dealer option that could be specified on any Beetle built in the late sixties or early seventies and are here wearing the correct 165 width Michelin xzx tyres, all with good tread. A pair of VW-branded rear mud flaps completes the look. Underneath, the work put into the restoration and maintenance clearly shows with only some light surface corrosion.
The engine bay is neat and tidy and, having pumped the accelerator a couple of times to prime the engine, the car starts every time. The rebuilt engine pulls well and the gear change is smooth. A refurbishment of the brakes was also included in the restoration and the brakes are strong, pulling the car up straight. On the road, it drives well with no untoward noises. Mechanically, it’s ready to go.
With summer on the way, many will be considering the joys of open top motoring and what better way to enjoy the sunshine than at the wheel of a Beetle Cabriolet? Values have been stable for a while now and so with depreciation not likely to be a major consideration, you’ll just want to keep the maintenance costs down.
With a recent restoration, this example is in good shape and with everything renewed or restored, it’s a good foundation for affordable wind-in-the-hair enjoyment. While perfectly usable as-is, a few choice tweaks could see it revisiting the podium for some show awards. The classic VW scene will, we’re sure, be set for a busy post-lockdown summer so what are you waiting for? Get your bid in now!
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1971 “Super Beetle” Cabriolet 1302LS
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