Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
1971 Volkswagen Beetle 1300
14 year build 'The Bordeaux Bug'
Estimate
£20, 000 - £25, 000
Registration No: FLP 387J
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: Exempt
Featured at the prestigious Volksworld Show 2022, representing Limebug Ltd
Unique custom build
Built by Limebug Ltd, well known VW restoration specialists
Extensive restoration and mechanical build
Adjustable Airkewld air ride suspension with a 4" narrowed beam
The iconic Volkswagen Beetle, officially the air-cooled Volkswagen Type 1, was produced around the world from 1938 to 2003. The Ferdinand Porsche designed 'people's car' is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history, never officially designated as 'Beetle', or 'Bug', it was noted for its distinctive shape and became ingrained in popular culture over a 65 year production period, the longest of any single generation of automobile. It has since lived-on as the 1998 water-cooled New Beetle and spawned many custom builds, most notably the understated custom, lowered and performance bred 'Cal Look' scene of California.
Featured at Volksworld 2023, where it was one of the hits of the premier VW show, this is no ordinary 'Beetle', this is a 'Limebug' unique build from the well-known Newcastle-under-Lyme VW parts, restoration and custom specialists. Extensively restored and customised in the vein of a 'Cal-Look', by the team at Limebug and known as 'The Bordeaux Beetle' - due to its beautiful VW L51 paint code colour scheme, this has to be up there as one of the finest builds in the country with top quality work, from its air ride set-up, fantastic paint, immaculate underside and an interior that is better than new.
The story begins way back in 2009, having been built largely on the driveway like many of us, using begged, borrowed and re-purposed odds and sods around the house to get by, after many years and seeing that repairs could have been done better and the price of quality panels increasing, with a little more cash in the bank, the previous owner treated the 1970 Beetle to OE thickness floor pan halves, new heater channels, a full front clip, new bumper irons, original doors, the list goes on, to get the body to a exceptional starting point, before the mechanicals and interior were upgraded.
Turning our attention to the custom parts, starting with the suspension, the front end has been fitted with Limebug Gen II air suspension and a Jawbreaker beam fitted with Titan through rods, reconditioned trailing arms with long travel ball joints. The trick 4" narrowed beam has narrowed tie rods with Ultrarm and 2. 5” dropped spindles. We believe the engine is a 1300cc motor. The rear end is sitting on an Airkewld air ride set-up, so the whole car can be adjusted using the air ride control inside; the controls have all been modified to fit into the dash.
Riding on fully detailed Fuchs wheels in Gloss Black and chrome using 4. 5J fronts and deep 6J rears. Fitted with brand-new disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear, it's spot-on mechanically, so be sure to check out how good this Beetle is underneath. The interior is just as stunning as the outside, with a Kens Customs full interior in biscuit mohair and Burgundy, making this up there with some of the best we've seen. This special Beetle is offered with a specification sheet and the current V5.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
