Lot details Registration No: RG53FYZ Chassis No: WVWZZZ1YZ4M325601 Mot Expiry: April 2012
Following positive public reaction to Volkswagen's retro-themed Concept 1, the similarly-styled but quaintly entitled 'VW New Beetle' went on sale in 1998. Though outwardly inspired by Dr Porsche's original people's car, the layout of the newcomer's Golf-based mechanicals could hardly have been more different, with a front-mounted engine driving the front wheels rather than a rear-placed one powering the back ones. Of course 'dubbers' like to customise, and even VW itself was quick to create some special editions of the model.
'RG53 FYZ' is certainly special, but the work of a group of independent experts rather than the manufacturer. Conceived by Oxford Edition and using one of their wives' Aquarius Blue Cabriolets as a base, it was given a thorough mechanical going over by renowned VW/Audi tuners, APS of Brackley. The original engine was ousted in favour of an Audi S3 1.8T unit that was then treated to APS stage 1 software, 3 inch downpipe, and cat-less 3 inch exhaust system exiting where the fog and reverse lights had once been - the output was around 270bhp. The unit drives through a six-speed SEAT Cupra R gearbox to a Quaife limited slip differential.
The Beetle sits on colour-keyed 19 inch Techart five spoke alloys behind which custom hubs are braked by Porsche Cayenne callipers and ECS discs. The suspension is lowered and equipped with KW coil-overs. Outside, the eye-catching speedster-style bodywork has been smoothed and blended, the wheel arched pulled, and all glass apart from the windscreen removed along with the hood and its mechanism. The area behind the Recaro bucket seats is topped off with a bespoke panel especially created by Shapecraft. The reworked interior includes an R32 leather steering wheel, TT Quattro Sport gear knob and weighted quickshift, and has been retrimmed in Red leather. A unique creation of enormous character.
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