Highlights

• A lovely example of the one of the 300 UK last edition Beetles with #50 plaque
• Boasting low original mileage and a reportedly great mechanical condition
• Has benefitted from a bare metal respray and interior retrim
• Jaw dropping condition

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• Like all Last Edition Beetles this car left the Emden factory in early 1978
• It was imported in the UK dealer network and first registered in January 1978
• Between then and February 2022 the car passed through five owners
• This represents an average tenure of nearly nine years
• The car was acquired by the current owner in February 2022
• The condition of the car was reported as excellent at that point
• The paintwork had faded in places, however, so a bare metal respray was commissioned
• The interior has also been retrimmed 
• There is a good level of paperwork with the Beetle
• This includes the current V5 registration document
• The current MOT is also present in hard copy form
• This is an advisory free MOT and valid until April 2024
• This is present despite the Beetle being MOT and VED exempt in the UK
• Numerous invoices, manuals and earlier MOTs are also present
• The previous MOTs date back to around 1989 and are mostly all present

The Interior

• All LEB interiors were finished in a marine blue self-patterned, striped fabric
• This interior has been professionally retrimmed
• As such it appears to be in a fine condition throughout
• The front seats are, obviously, pristine with fabric facings and vinyl sides and backs
• The rear bench is equally well presented in the same fabric
• The door cards and side panels are finished in marine blue vinyl
• The flooring is courtesy of hard wearing dark grey carpets
• The light vinyl headlining is clean and tightly fitted
• The simple dashboard is totally originally with the single VDO gauge
• No cutting or adaptations for radio fitments have been made
• The LED plaque is fitted to the glove box lid, exhibiting the number 50
• The front luggage compartment is fitted with a textured vinyl protective mat
• The vertically stowed spare wheel sits at the front of this compartment

The Exterior

• Presented in freshly and professionally applied Diamond Silver Metallic paintwork
• A bare metal respray has been undertaken in the current ownership
• The results are very positive with the car exuding a lustrous shine throughout
• All new window, bonnet and boot seals were fitted at this point, too
• The chrome of the bumpers, body trim and light surrounds is clean and bright
• The steel wheels are the correct 13-inch items and are painted in silver
• They are in excellent condition and are fitted with domed and chromed VW hub caps
• The cabin glass and window lenses look pristine and original
• These include the signature “elephant’s foot” rear light lenses
• A very minor light scratch is noted and pictured on the windscreen

The Mechanics

• The LEBs were fitted with the four cylinder, four stroke air cooled engine
• In this model they were all the 1,192cc engine good for around 34bhp
• The owner reports that the Beetle has just had a service
• This included a carburettor overhaul, new ignition parts and leads
• The engine bay presents beautifully and is very clean and straight
• The car is reported to start instantly and be in a fine mechanical condition
• The mechanical specification has been kept entirely original

Summary