Lot number | 8 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £800 |
Description | Volkswagen Beetle 1303S |
Registration | OHT 111M |
Year | 1973 |
Colour | Red |
Engine size | 1,600 cc |
Chassis No. | 1332752864 |
Engine No. | AD822170 |
By the end of the 1960s, the venerable Beetle was struggling to keep up with the competition, its cute looks and quirky ways not enough to keep up with the European and Japanese competition.
VW’s answer was the Super Beetle of 1971 with a host of safety and comfort mods. With a longer wheelbase to give a more stable ride, it also got disc brakes, improved steering and Macpherson strut suspension that improved the handling and doubled the luggage capacity.
Inside, plenty of padding enhanced crash safety while both front and rear screens were enlarged for better visibility. Outside, it had a lengthened bonnet, fatter wings, a redesigned engine lid and bigger ‘Elephant feet’ rear lights.
Power came from a new 1300cc engine or, for the more sporting driver, a 1600cc flat-four of ‘twin port’ induction design with a higher final drive ratio. It was the last of the Beetles to be manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, before production moved to Yugoslavia in 1974.
Dating from August 1973, this red 1303S Super Beetle has the sporting 1600cc twin port engine. It was acquired from its previous long-term owner in 1993 by the proprietor of a garage in Hereford, his plan being to do it up as a ‘quiet times’ project. As in all successful garages, those quiet times didn’t come along often enough and work never really got started so the Bug remains charmingly standard but in need of work after its 11-year lay-up.
It is said to start easily and run smoothly, despite a blowing exhaust which does a good impression of an angry dog. The crankshaft shows no end float so wear is minimal. The gear box changes smoothly and the brakes and steering work correctly. With parts in cheap and plentiful supply, it would be an easy project for the home restorer. The only professional help required might be the bodywork, the need for a respray being obvious, but money could be saved with home prep by unbolting the wings, trim and bumpers.
Getting rare now in original and unmodified form, these 1303S Beetles were the ultimate in their day, with powerful lightweight engines driving through the revised drivetrain. Fast and surefooted B-road cars, they can also maintain good speeds on the motorway thanks to their uprated final drive.
They have a cult following in Europe where a custom genre of ‘German look’ beetles can sport monstrously powerful engines and prove really capable on hillclimb circuits. Nicely unmolested, OHT 111M can be restored to standard or customised to the nth degree – the choice is yours.