Description
1968 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 - Rare and Desirable - 'Geraldine'
First registered on 6 December 1968, this Volkswagen Beetle 1300—affectionately nicknamed “Geraldine” by a previous owner—presents a wonderfully preserved and richly documented example of one of Wolfsburg’s most recognisable creations. Finished in its original shade of beige, Geraldine embodies the classic silhouette and charm that helped the Beetle become one of the world’s most successful automobiles. According to period production records, the 1300 model built between August 1967 and August 1970 was produced for only a short window, making surviving cars such as this increasingly rare and desirable among collectors.
The interior has been renewed with fresh upholstery in a bright, California-inspired green and yellow scheme that contrasts beautifully with the understated exterior. It drives exactly as a well-kept Beetle should—light, cheerful and mechanically honest—supported by a history file that is unusually comprehensive for a car of this era. The original Volkswagen service record accompanies the car, stamped from 12, 000 miles and at every 3, 000-mile interval thereafter, complete with ownership details that trace its life from the early 1970s. Invoices date from as far back as 1971, creating a remarkably complete ownership and maintenance timeline.
Past owners were clearly passionate custodians. One kept a handwritten notebook recording mileage completed during his tenure, alongside corresponding milometer readings. A large ring-binder file holds decades of invoices and bills, including extensive works by the respected specialists Dream Day Campers, who maintained Geraldine in 2021 and again in 2024, the latter visit totalling over £1, 000. In 2025 it received a new battery, a new rocker cover seal and an additional seat belt kit. Recent invoices total £337 in the last month and £1, 267 in May 2024. Numerous MOT certificates are present, the earliest dating back to 1984, many showing no advisories.
This Beetle has not only been cherished mechanically but also enjoyed on the show circuit. It has won awards at various classic car events, with certificates included in the file, and proudly took part in the Beetle Drive 2003 Show in Class B. A photograph album provides a visual record of its restoration, adding further reassurance of the care invested in its preservation.
The original VW instruction manual—covering Driving, Car Care and Do-It-Yourself—accompanies the car, along with old tax discs, VW memorabilia including a period Volkswagen Computer Diagnosis leaflet, The Book of the Volkswagen from Pitman’s Motorists Library and a genuine Haynes Owner’s Workshop Manual. Together these items create a wonderfully evocative portfolio that complements the car’s character and story.
A 1968 Beetle with such a full and traceable history, rare model-year provenance and charming period additions—made all the more distinctive by its long-standing nickname—rarely appears on the market. Geraldine is a beautifully presented example that starts, runs and drives with the easy confidence expected from a well-maintained classic.
Viewing is strictly by appointment only.
