In 1948 Wilhelm Karmann bought a VW Beetle sedan and converted it into a four-seated convertible. That would be the start of an incredible relationship between Karmann and Volkswagen that would not only lead to a factory-approved Beetle ragtop, but also to the striking Karmann Ghia – a sports model in its own right.
The Beetle Cabriolet began production in 1949 at Karmann’s factory in Osnabrück, Germany. To compensate for the strength lost in removing the roof, the sills were reinforced with welded U-channel rails, a transverse beam was fitted below the rear seat, and the side panels were double-walled. As a result, it’s a vastly stronger car than the Beetle saloon.
It ran all the way through to 1986, when the last official Karmann Beetle Cabriolet was produced. This is a relatively late example from 1978 – originally supplied to the USA, the car has spent most of its life in the UK having been imported in 1989.
It was restored over 20 years ago and still looks bright and cheerful, with no structural issues and generally good panels, making it a great option if you want a useable, smart Bug that isn’t in show-winning order, or with some TLC it’s the perfect basis to take to the next level.
There’s something uniquely charming about Beetle cabriolets, not least because of the quality of the drop-top conversion, which is so much better executed than many of its contemporaries. It’s a high-quality car, and one that transcends generations with its appeal – yet that’s hardly surprising given that it enjoyed a production run of almost 40 years.
This is a charming and generally happy and healthy left-hand-drive example that’s in presentable order and is ready to be enjoyed as it is, or with some further attention is a fantastically solid base for a next-level restoration.
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