1975 Volkswagen Beetle 1200

Lot details
Registration No: NDM135P
Chassis No: 1162007095
Mot Expiry: May 2011

Instantly recognisable the world over, the creation of the Beetle by Ferdinand Porsche to Hitler's request for a 'people's car' is now sufficiently well documented not to need repeating here. Meticulously developed (over 78,000 modifications are said to have been made) but never significantly changed in appearance throughout its production life, the Beetle's primary strengths of simplicity, reliability and quality of build ensured that it found a faithful following even in the most inhospitable climates. Production of the Beetle ceased in Europe in 1978, after surpassing the previous world record of car production held by the Ford Model T of 15 million in 1972. Production continued in Mexico and Brazil up until 2003, the model having been brought back into production in Brazil it is said at the specific request of an ex-girlfriend of the president

Built at Wolfsburg in late 1975, this particular example is a 1976-model year car with indicators housed in its front bumper (rather than atop its wings). Other changes for the '76-model year apparently included the adoption of a rear window demister, two-speed fresh air fan, optional metallic paint, chrome plated trim, improved / more adjustable seats and full carpets. The '1200' model retained its 1192cc 34bhp flat-four engine and flat windscreen, while the 'Super Beetle' boasted a 1584cc powerplant, MacPherson strut front suspension, curved windscreen and in some markets, fuel injection. Finished in green with tan cloth upholstery, 'NDM 135P' is described by the vendor as being in "good" condition with regard to its 1.2 litre engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork. Reportedly bequeathed to his wife by its first owner, the VW is further understood to have been "cocooned for over a decade". Although the accompanying registration document shows the car to have had three keepers, the seller points out that two of them were married to each other and further warrants the Beetle's odometer reading of 32,136 miles to be correct (at least at the time of cataloguing).

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until May 2011.