1978 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 L 'Last Edition'

Lot details
Registration No: TKY302S
Chassis No: 1182007168
Mot Expiry: Aug 2017

- Entered from the Gilder Group Collection

- One registered keeper and 26,000 miles from new

- No. 65 of 300 'Last Edition' Beetles to come to the UK

The very last Beetle rolled off the production line at Puebla Mexico on July 30th 2003, an amazing sixty-five years after the model's introduction. European manufacture had, however, been curtailed more than twenty-five years earlier, on January 18th 1978 to be precise, and this significant chapter in automotive history was marked in a number of ways. For Britain it was celebrated with the creation of 300 'Last Edition' 1200Ls, each of which had Metallic Silver paintwork matched with Dark Blue cloth covered seats. They also featured padded dashboards, rear parcel shelves, heated rear windows and a special 'Last Edition' plaque on the glovebox lid.

The sale car is No.65 of that 300 run and retains its plaque to this day. Its old style blue and white V5 confirms it was registered new in the name of the Listerdale Motor Company of Bawtry Road, Wickersley, Rotherham. This was part of the Gilder Group and this special Beetle was a member of the company's collection of promotional vehicles that were regularly rotated between its 19 showrooms to encourage additional footfall. As it was never re-registered when title for the cars passed to the group's Chairman, it technically remains a one owner vehicle that has covered 26,000 miles to date. It was treated to a respray to coincide with the launch of the 'new' Beetle, as the original paintwork had deteriorated with time. The rest of the car is exceedingly original and is now offered complete with that all important plaque and an MOT valid into March next year.