Over six million VW Beetles were sold over more than 60 years of production, so it’s fair to say it’s one of the all-time classic car icons.
Today, there’s a whole thriving scene built up around the legendary little car, from modified examples through to beautifully preserved or restored originals. This one, however, is doubly special.
The the last European-built Beetle left the production line in Emden, Germany on the 19th of January, 1978, immediately taking early retirement in the Wolfsburg Auto Museum.
To mark the occasion, the final run of 300 cars produced for the United Kingdom was released as yet another special edition - the ‘Final Edition Beetles'. These were painted metallic silver, upholstered in blue cloth, and each had a commemorative plaque giving its unique number within the batch.
This example has had five previous keepers, the most recent having bought it from a friend last year as he grew up with air-cooled VWs and wanted to have another. But he has barely used it and has decided it is best suited to a new home where it will be used and enjoyed more. The odometer shows 13,266 miles and it has covered very few miles in recent years, but has covered 113,266 in total.
Included in the history file are letters corresponding to its Final Edition status, as well as a commemorative plaque from a Final Edition rally, a few old photos from earlier in its life and a record of all the Final Edition cars sold in the UK, in which it is highlighted as genuine. UrHS2x8MbfHBhTVB1u3pEzV3HfDRrxwpfXdsjag4.jpeg571.8 KB
THE INTERIOR
Blue cloth trim
Webasto sunroof
Period push-button Blaupunkt radio
It’s basic, as you’d expect from a Beetle, but the cabin of the Final Edition is in excellent order with no major issues or signs of wear.
The blue cloth seats are in good order and the carpets are in good order, suggesting they have been replaced. One of the highlights of the interior is a fabulous period Blaupunkt radio, which is in perfect order.
Overall, the Beetle presents very well and the silver paint is in good condition, while the rear number plate is the original from Listers of Coventry and displays an old-style 0203 dialling code.
The silver paint is very good in most places, though there is some corrosion to the bottom of the driver’s side door. It has also had some welding to the underside in the past, but has gone through several MOT tests since with no major issues recorded so it’s fair to assume that the work has been completed to a high standard.
There are some blemishes to the chrome on both front and rear bumpers, but nothing that detracts majorly from its overall appearance.
THE MECHANICS
Replacement RemTec engine
Starts and runs well
Well-maintained
The vendor describes the Beetle as being in superb mechanical order. The original engine has been replaced at some stage with a replacement RemTec unit and runs well, with a distinctive air-cooled clatter and good oil pressure.
This is a great example of one of the most collectable later variants of the original Beetle, with a lot of history and in smart overall condition.
As a Final Edition and one of only 300 made, it has a genuine collector value and represents a great investment opportunity, as well as a car you can buy and enjoy with great parts support and a thriving social scene.
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