Description

1969 Volkswagen Beetle 1500

Three owners from new, the current since 2015; 1300cc engine fitted; new MOT; driven 30 miles to the sale; cheap and cheerful starter classic

First registered in August 1969, this VW Beetle has had just three owners from new, according to the V5C, our vendor acquiring it in 2015 from a gentleman in Wales who had owned it for 24 years. Unfortunately there is no history with the car but we are told that it drives well with an MOT until August 2021 with just two advisories: ‘o/s/f wheel bearing has slight play; oil leak but not excessive’. We are also told that it has had a 1300cc engine fitted at some point.
Driven some 30 miles to the sale, it has been starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around our site. Appearing to be in sound condition throughout, it is a bit scruffy cosmetically, as shown in the photos, but can be used as it is and improved over time as desired.
MODEL HISTORY
One of the most influential cars of all time, the remarkable VW Beetle is famous for many reasons - its roots in Nazi Germany, the duration of its production or maybe just because of the vast numbers of cars produced (21 million). Whatever the reason, it has developed a cult-like following like no other car.


Beautifully functional, the bodywork was attached to the nearly flat chassis with just 18 bolts and was so tightly constructed that it would float for several minutes if driven into water. Suspension was independent all round, using torsion bars for compactness.


The air-cooled, rear-mounted, flat-four engine drove the rear wheels and was constructed of lightweight alloy, as was the gearbox. It proved famously reliable in both the coldest winters and the hottest summers, and was capable of charging along the new autobahns flat out all day without protest. Remarkably ‘elastic’, it always felt more powerful than it actually was. While the overall appearance of the Beetle changed little, it received over 78,000 incremental changes during its incredible 65-year production run.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com