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A very late production 1979 Volkswagen Beetle 1303 Cabriolet with 20,050 miles.
EQUIPMENT
Convertible roof with tonneau cover, rubber strips on bumpers, chrome door mirrors, handles and waist line, Karmann front wing badges, running boards, heated rear window, hazard lights, dash illumination adjustment, interior light, seatbelt warning light, padded dash, tiger maple wood grain fascia, padded sun visors with passenger mirror, clock, rear ashtrays, twin door pockets. Accessories; Classic chromed Beetle wheels and hub caps, radio with door speakers, leather rimmed steering wheel, wooden gear knob, tailored woven floor mats, full tonneau.
EXTERIOR
Built in the final model year of production in 1979 just weeks before the Beetle Cabriolet ceased to be built in Germany in January 1980, this stunning example has covered just 20,050 miles from new. Finished in Diamond Silver metallic, (Code L97A), the paintwork boasts a beautiful bright shine and uniform finish. All body panels are in excellent order and close scrutiny reveals nothing other than light markings and small undulations to the original running boards. The trim sections, rubbers and underside are all brilliantly preserved and the bright chrome looks fantastic with only light aging and faint pitting to the front wing repeaters. All glass is original etched Volkswagen Delodur-1 fitment with decorative chrome surround and even the California Emissions label remains in the side rear window. The hood is perfect and complete with tonneau cover and additional full tonneau. A twin pipe exhaust has replaced the standard offset single exit item with the lower rear apron neatly modified to accommodate. This classic Beetle Cabriolet looks amazing and is ready for summer fun!
INTERIOR
A wonderfully clean interior is commensurate with the mere 20,050 miles covered. The original black vinyl seats are in pristine order as is the carpeted side walls and rubber floor covering which is protected by expensive woven over mats. The inner roof lining, door cards and padded dash are perfect and the original tiger maple wood grain fascia is as new. Subtle modifications include the quality leather rimmed steering wheel and wooden gear knob and all functions and control operate perfectly including the period radio and clock. The factory Volkswagenwerk West Germany build and emissions labels remain in the driver’s door aperture. The front luggage area with cardboard liner is clean and retains original stickers to the washer bottle, paint code label and front panel body plate. A beautifully presented and reserved interior.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The air-cooled rear mounted horizontally opposed engine produces 48bhp from its 1584cc displacement enabling a top speed of 80mph. The electronic fuel injection fitted as standard enables wonderfully smooth performance and 30mpg. The fully synchronized 4-speed gearbox works perfectly. The engine bay is very clean and retains a clearly legible engine stamp to confirm this as the factory fitted unit. Aside from the replacement exhaust, the standard engine set up remains in place and the engine and hatch cover underside still have factory labels attached.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Replacement chromed Beetle wheels and hubcaps look amazing with only very light markings and some tarnishing noticeable to one wheel cap. Brand new Goodyear EfficientGrip 185/65 R15 tyres were fitted in May 2022 and have covered zero miles. Incredibly, the spare wheel remains shod in the factory spare whitewall tyre which has never been used and still retains coloured banding and rubber nobbles! Dual circuit drums front and rear have undergone an overhaul in May 2022 to include the master cylinder and are perfect in operation.
HISTORY FILE
Built in West Germany in post August 1979, this US specification model 1303 remained in its original destination country for just over a year before being shipped to the UK in February 1981 where the car was UK registered and has remained ever since. The engine block number and chassis stamp beneath the rear seat verify this as a 1979 Beetle Cabriolet and the original matching chassis tag is still affixed to the dash rail. The previous long-term owner and member of the VW Cabriolet Owners Club GB bought this Beetle from a family friend in 2005 who had themselves purchased the car in the 1990’s. The history file contains MOT certificates dating back to 1984 as well as service and maintenance invoices. Original literature including handbooks and two sets of keys are present. This outstanding low-mileage example presents incredibly well and drives just as good!
MOT May 2023, HPI Clear.
Original
