Volkswagen Beetle 1600

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One of the most influential cars of all time, the remarkable VW Beetle is famous for many reasons - its roots in Nazi Germany, the duration of its production or maybe just because of the vast numbers of cars produced (21 million). Whatever the reason, it has developed a cult-like following like no other car.

Beautifully functional, the bodywork was attached to the nearly flat chassis with just 18 bolts and was so tightly constructed that it would float for several minutes if driven into water. Suspension was independent all round, using torsion bars for compactness.

The air-cooled, rear-mounted, flat-four engine drove the rear wheels and was constructed of lightweight alloy, as was the gearbox. It proved famously reliable in both the coldest winters and the hottest summers, and was capable of charging along the new autobahns flat out all day without protest.

Remarkably ‘elastic’, it always felt more powerful than it actually was. While the overall appearance of the Beetle changed little, it received over 78,000 incremental changes during its incredible 65-year production run.

Supplied new by Colbourne Garages of Woking, Surrey, in October 1966, this stunning Beetle started out in life as a 1302 S model and, being supplied to ‘one year only’ 1967 specification, it features the attractive narrow chrome trim waistline, last of the sloping headlamps, smaller chrome bumpers, painted dashboard, 2-speed wipers and Java Green paint. It retains its original service card, stamped until April 1975 by Colbourne Garages.

In 2009/10 it was substantially restored and modified to the condition you see today, featuring adjustable front beam and lowered spline at the rear to achieve the stance. Lower profile front tyres help accentuate the look. Considerably quicker than standard, it also has a modified 1600 twin port engine with twin Dellortos and a discreet exhaust.

The vendor bought the car in 2011 in Southend. He drove it back to Worcestershire and has attended many shows with the car where it has been greatly admired for its subtle styling simplicity. Only reluctantly being sold to free up funds for the restoration of the vendor’s 1958 Karmann convertible Beetle, it has an MOT until March 2016 and also retains its original instruction manual, 9 old MOTs and various invoices from specialists including Karmann Konnection of Southend.

AMENDMENT; Bidders are advised that the original engine will be included in the sale although will be the responsibility of the new owner to collect from Bromsgrove withing two weeks of the date of the sale.