1978 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 LE

Lotti is a Last Edition (LE) Volkswagen 1200 in diamond silver metallic with a blue 'basket weave' interior. She was one of a batch of 300, which were the last to be imported from Germany in January 1978. There is a commemorative plate on the glove box lid to indicate this. All 300 were finished in Diamond Silver Metallic and fitted with a heated rear screen. By that time, Volkswagen was building them in Emden instead of Wolfsburg, where the Golf was already coming off the assembly lines. The first tax disc, which expired on 31 May 1978, is still displayed on the windscreen.
Lotti has had 9 former keepers, who have all maintained her very well, generally adding just a few thousand miles of driving each year. The service booklet is stamped up until 1992 and from that date all of the servicing invoices, MoT certificates and bills for spare parts are kept in a huge binder for the next owner to retain. I have owned this Beetle for almost 8 years and during that time she has covered just 6, 000 miles; she has been regularly serviced by a highly skilled, air-cooled engine specialist, who fully understands these machines and ensures that all hinges, axles and joints are routinely greased. The engine is completely original; it runs very sweetly and there is no play in the crankshaft at all. The carburettor, idle speed and ignition timing are now all spot on and the automatic choke works well. MoT certificates from 1989 to 2017 serve as clear evidence that the odometer reading is genuine.
Lotti was extensively refurbished in 2011. Key work included a new rear apron, new wings, headlights, new front and rear seats in blue 'basket weave', new window winder mechanisms and new heat exchanger units. All of the parts were purchased from VW Heritage and are of top quality. The rear wheel arches were repaired to a good standard, the underside was coated in waxoyl and the ignition converted with an electronic governor. Finally, the Beetle was given a full, professional re-spray, which has stood the test of time.
There are several minor, surface rust spots, which were there when I bought the car and do not appear to have worsened. These have all been photographed. I have always kept this Beetle in a garage and she goes out only in dry weather. The paint on the corners and bottoms of both doors is starting to flake a bit. The spare wheel well is free of rust. Owing to the waxoyl treatment, the underside is good - refer to the photos. Both doors close properly with no drop on the hinges and the lock cylinders are fine.
During my ownership, a new starter motor was fitted in 2020, the sump plate was exchanged for one with a magnetic drain plug and both rear wheel cylinders were replaced. In 2024 both front wheel cylinders and the ball joints were replaced, the screen washer system and the wiper mechanisms have been overhauled. I have also recently bought four good quality chrome hub caps from VW Heritage.
The cabin is in good order - the rear bench and front seats are supportive, the backrest and travel adjustment work fine, the head-lining and door cards are clean and the sun visors work properly. The fabric which supports the rear parcel shelf will soon need to be replaced, because age has caused it to deteriorate. All instrumentation operates well: speedometer, odometer, interior lighting, indicators, headlights and sidelights, number plate light, brake lights, horn, screen blower, rear screen heater, both heater channels and the wash-wipe system all work as they should. A 12v socket has been fitted inside the glovebox, so that a sat nav can be used. There is no noticeable play in the steering. Both quarterlights open and lock properly. A Blaupunkt FM radio and speakers, which befit the car's era, are installed and working. As for minor defects, the kerbside mirror tends to fold inwards at motorway speeds and the fuel gauge is sometimes erratic after a fill-up. (On this one, there is a filler flap, with a lockable plug. Lead substitute is added to each fill-up, because the engine still has its original valves).
The car is running better than ever since it had a major service in May 2024. This included: adjustment of the valve clearances, new spark plugs, a brake fluid change and brake shoes cleaned. At this time a new battery was fitted. She now warms up and accelerates more quickly, will go into 4th gear at a slightly lower speed and runs smoothly along the motorway at a steady 55 mph, giving a fuel consumption of 35 - 40 mpg. The Beetle famously suffered from flat spots, but this one has none. The brakes are now much better and if necessary, an emergency stop is achievable.
On the V5 cert, the car has been registered as a Historic Vehicle and is therefore exempt from road tax. There is also a certificate of exemption from the MoT annual test.
Few of the remaining VW Beetles made in Germany are in a good condition. This one certainly is and she is lovely to drive. Everything on this car still works properly and I am confident that the new owner will not have to spend much to keep her running well. Since the major refurbishment in 2011, she has been properly looked after by owners who respect her. There are some lovely touches: the exhaust pipes are finished with shining chrome caps and there are chrome caps on the jacking points. The switch for the heated rear screen is underneath the dashboard and when it is on, a tiny blue lamp in the speedo illuminates. Although some components and panels have been replaced, the key thing is that the engine is absolutely original. It starts easily, the steering and gearbox are sound and the engine runs sweetly.
From 2018 until 2022, I used this car in dry weather, about twice a month, for commuting to work. It was a journey of 12 miles each way, which was just long enough to warm up the engine properly. Occasionally, I took her on longer journeys of over 200 miles, which she covered with ease. As long as you are not in a hurry, this is a great way to get into classic car ownership, because the Beetle fits into a garage with ease, good quality spares are available, they are well made and functional. The sound of the air-cooled engine is wonderful.
This vehicle looks great and in car parks she attracts a lot of admiration. The earlier models might look prettier than these later ones, with 'elephant's foot' rear lights, but the 12v electrical system is definitely better. Moreover, Volkswagen improved the mechanics of the Beetle with each production year and having previously owned one built in 1962, in my view, this run-out model handles better, rides better and the engine runs better. Ownership of her has given me great pleasure, but as a pensioner, I need funds to replace my other car, (a VW Golf) and so I am obliged to part with the Beetle.