Highlights
- An older (1992-93) restoration
- Modified for latter day convenience
- Low mileage since rebuild
- Fresh MoT will await new keeper
The Appeal
You can’t help but love a convertible. Exposed as you are to nature’s elements, there is a the heightened sense of motion, the rush of passing scenery, the fragrance of fresh open air as dappled shade flickers over your Ray-Bans. Bliss!
Pair those sensory delights with an iconic but modernised 1977 Volkswagen 1303 Beetle Karmann cabriolet rebuilt to a high standard in 1993 – and you begin to fully appreciate the appeal.
History and Paperwork
- Subject to a total rebuild during 1992-93
- Dry-stored/driven, garaged when not in use
- V5 certificate in current keeper’s name
Karmann produced 331,847 Beetle convertibles for Volkswagen from 1949 to 1980. According to the data plate, this smart and tidy 1303 VW Beetle came off the lines at Karmann’s Osnabrück facility during the third week of September, 1977. As a right-hand drive variant, it would have made its way to the UK some time thereafter.
Aside from some early MoT records in the paperwork file, little is known of the car’s chequered history in the UK. We do know that during 1992 and 1993, the car was subject to a total rebuild and refurbishment and subsequently received a new UK registration on the 6th of July, 1993.
Since its rebuild nearly thirty years ago, the car has been enjoyed by just three former keepers, until its acquisition by the current vendor in September, 2018. Due largely to non-use in recent months, the car is offered up for sale to a new keeper who hopefully can enjoy the car to the extent its handsome presentation deserves.
Accompanying the sale will be the V5 Certificate in the current vendor’s name, the original VW 1303 Instruction Manual, a not-remotely-dodgy dossier by Elite Vehicle Inspections following the 1993 rebuild (with the odometer recorded at 568 miles) and a raft of historic paperwork pertaining to the maintenance and upkeep of the car over the years.
Furthermore, the new keeper will acquire a fresh MoT with the car which the vendor will have arranged prior to handover.
The Interior
- Modernised to a high standard
- All four windows electrified for convenience
- Elegant beige leather upholstery throughout
One look at the interior and you see summer staring right back at you! When appreciating the smart interior, one should bear in mind that it was refurbished some 30 years ago.
It features swathes of elegant, high quality leather adorning the front and rear furniture, the dashboard, side panels and door cards. Tidy red carpeting with contrasting beige piping covers the entire floorpan of the car. Further contrasts are the maroon piping on the front seats, the smart period wood-rimmed steering wheel by Mountney and a glossy wooden gear knob.
The manually retractable roof remains in very good condition and does its interior headlining. A cheeky timed trial reveals its opening to take a mere eight seconds - and to close, 11 seconds…which is good to know for when the rain comes.
Some of the leather is showing signs of wear in high-traffic areas such as the front seats and would benefit from a leather moisturising balm – and regularly, too.
The only issue with the interior is the recent unwelcomed attention given to the roof tonneau cover by the dentures of an errant mouse (see gallery). Fortunately, a patched repair is possible or even a replacement could be commissioned. There is a convenient storage pouch for the tonneau cover available, too.
The Exterior
- Striking metallic maroon paint finish
- Smart contrasting retractable roof
- Brightwork is in good order
- Still looking great 30 years on
This writer and photographer’s initial reaction on seeing the car for the first time was along the lines of…”well now, doesn’t THAT look like loads of fun!”
Strikingly presented in metallic maroon, the paintwork which was applied nearly 30 years ago still gleams brightly in the sunshine. Its condition is a credit to all of its four keepers over the past 30 years since its rebuild. The smart paintwork is contrasted by white seals inserted along the panel joints and the running boards are in good condition, as is the brightwork around the car – some of which is showing signs of pitting, but which is not unusual and many believe adds character.
The car looks a tad ungainly with the roof up, but fantastic with it down – which after all is its raison d'etre. The set of handsome original steel wheels look very smart with the chromed hubcaps and are shod with a full set of Lassa Impetus HR65 high-grip summer tyres all round, which are in good condition.
A cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of collision damage and the front number plate, bumper and valance – for all their vulnerability – remain in remarkably good condition.
It should be noted that the exterior – as strikingly smart as it is – is not free from a few minor issues. (Well, it HAS been 30 years!) A couple of the wheels exhibit small rust areas, there is an indent on the front nearside fender behind the headlamp, some of the black panel sealing rubber is coming to the end of its useful life and there are two or three small rust bubbles appearing around the car.
All these exterior imperfections are shown in the accompanying gallery. To be fair, any professional body shop worth their salt would remedy these in a jiffy and likely not for silly money either.
The Mechanics
- New engine at ’93 rebuild
- Said to be in good running order
- A fresh MoT awaits new keeper
At the photo location, the Cabriolet was frequently repositioned by this writer and photographer to obtain the best of the available light. The sweet-sounding 1.6-litre started first and every time and settled into an appreciative burble that only a healthy VW flat-four can make.
The four-speed manual gearbox connected smoothly and the clutch engaged with no drama, requiring just a light feathering of the revs to get underway. The keeper reports the car to be in very good mechanical condition with the engine, steering, brakes, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective German engineers intended.
The engine compartment is clean and tidy and all presents in very good condition. The front boot houses the full sized spare wheel and tools, but is showing signs of surface rust under the carpets.
The underside and lower sills present in very good order with a degree of natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age.
Summary
This original 1977 Volkswagen 1303 Beetle Cabriolet by Karmann offers a great blend of style and driver enjoyment. Rebuilt and fully refurbished to a high standard in 1993, much if not all of that high standard still remains today.
Presented in a smart metallic maroon colour with contrasting beige leather soft furnishings, it would certainly stand out in a busy beachside parking lot. The new engine inserted at its 1993 rebuild has only done a little under 12,000 miles and promises many years of enjoyable, fun-filled motoring ahead.
Essentially, two options are open to its next keeper…give this VW Beetle Cabriolet by Karmann some light TLC of the minor identified issues to further elevate its standard, or simply leave it in its ‘lovingly used’ condition, keep the mechanicals running as smoothly as they currently do and continue to enjoy the road less travelled – and please, not just on Sundays.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
