Highlights
- Sparing use since £17,000 restoration
- New 1,600cc twin port VEGA engine with 1,300 miles
- Historic Vehicle with useful MOT to February 2025
- Single keeper since refurbishment completed
- Garaged and only used in dry weather since 2016
- Pretty genuine Karmann convertible
The Appeal
The final ‘twin port’ 1,600cc Beetles were the most usable, the ‘LS’ the best trimmed and the Karmann the most versatile. This lovely ‘78 is all three, a genuine factory convertible with a VEGA replacement engine that has covered only 1,300 miles.
Finished in bright red with cream cabin, it is resplendent, thanks to a £17,000 professional renovation in 2014. Since then it has been carefully garaged and only used in dry weather. The MOT history confirms very sparing use.
This is a lovely example of the very usable four seater Karmann convertible. It is usefully registered as a Historic Vehicle but has been regularly MOT’d to give the buyer transparency over condition. The current tst runs to February 2025 with no advisories. A truly great example of these much-loved cars.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 28th July 1978
- Current keeper since January 2016
- Restored in late 2014 at cost of nearly £17,000
- This work included a new VEGA 1,600cc twin port engine
- Previously painted black which was changed with DVLA in September 2015
- HPI clear
- MOT to 28th February 2025 with no advisories and 23,092 miles showing on test
- Now showing 23,099 miles
- MOT history confirms very little use since restoration with 21,794 miles on 2014 test
- Invoices for restoration showing scope of work and total cost
- Registered as a Historic Vehicle but regularly MOT’d through its life
The Condition
- Good bodywork following restoration in 2014 with sparing use since
- Repainted in attractive bright red which shows good colour and finish
- Some minor chips to note in discreet areas as shown in photographs
- Underside presents well with undersealing and no structural advisories on MOT
- Beige roof in good condition and works correctly with new headlining
- £1,500 retrimmed cream interior in very good order
- Door cards replaced in matching trim at cost of £410
- New grey carpets in good order
- Windows work correctly but one rear window may require light attention
- Sits on pretty chromed steel wheels in good condition with steel spare
- Fitted with radio blanking plate
- Chromework in good condition
The Mechanics
- 1,584cc twin port air cooled 49bhp ‘LS’ specification engine
- Engine replaced with a VEGA unit during rebuilt with 1,300 miles covered since
- Fitted with disc brakes all round
- Fitted with factory jack set
- Well-maintained car with thick history file
- No reported running or driving issues
- No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]