21st Jul, 2010 14:50
The Pavilion Gardens
1964 Volkswagen Beetle 1200
Estimated at £6,000 - £7,000
Lot details
Registration No: AJF376B
Chassis No: G135841
Mot Expiry: July 2011
The life and times of the VW Beetle (more formally, the VW 'Type 1') are well-documented, for it was, and still is, the world's best-selling car. Between 1945, when the first civilian-market version was assembled at Wolfsburg in Germany, to 2003 when the very last was produced in Mexico, more than 21.5 million machines were produced. Each and every one had a steel platform chassis, an air-cooled flat-four engine in the tail, simple independent suspension, the majority also having the unmistakeable body style which gave rise to the 'Beetle' nickname. Designed by the Porsche bureau in the 1930s, and originally intended to be the ultimate people's car, to be called the KdF Wagen (Kraft dur Freude = Strength through Joy) it should have gone on sale in 1940, but was delayed because of the outbreak of war. Original Beetles had 22.5bhp/1.0-litre engines and cable brakes, but continuous evolution saw 1.1, then 1.2-litre engines brought in, along with hydraulic brakes and much-improved transmissions. In all cases, these high-geared cars were carefully built, but in increasingly high numbers, and were meant to be driven flat out, and to last indefinitely. Detail changes eventually led to major improvements, most notably to the suspension systems, and to the engines, (which were eventually expanded to 1.6-litres). Sales and production were enormous. At peak, more than a million Beetles were being built every year, the 1.2-litre types ran from 1954 to 1978, with assembly taking place in factories all round the world.
First built and registered in 1964, this particular Beetle has reportedly had five previous owners, all believed to be from the same extended family, and the mileage is claimed to be only 59,500. Like all such Beetles of the period, it had a 34bhp / 1.2-litre engine, 6-volt electrics, and drum brakes. Latterly treated as the 'family pet', it has completed only 1,500 miles since 1991. Commensurate with its age, the seller considers it to be in "excellent" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, bodywork and interior trim, while he rates the electrical equipment and paintwork as "very good". Because the Beetle has been the world's best-selling car, there is no (and probably never will be) problem in getting spare parts for the vehicle.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has a current MOT certificate July 2011.
Registration No: AJF376B
Chassis No: G135841
Mot Expiry: July 2011
The life and times of the VW Beetle (more formally, the VW 'Type 1') are well-documented, for it was, and still is, the world's best-selling car. Between 1945, when the first civilian-market version was assembled at Wolfsburg in Germany, to 2003 when the very last was produced in Mexico, more than 21.5 million machines were produced. Each and every one had a steel platform chassis, an air-cooled flat-four engine in the tail, simple independent suspension, the majority also having the unmistakeable body style which gave rise to the 'Beetle' nickname. Designed by the Porsche bureau in the 1930s, and originally intended to be the ultimate people's car, to be called the KdF Wagen (Kraft dur Freude = Strength through Joy) it should have gone on sale in 1940, but was delayed because of the outbreak of war. Original Beetles had 22.5bhp/1.0-litre engines and cable brakes, but continuous evolution saw 1.1, then 1.2-litre engines brought in, along with hydraulic brakes and much-improved transmissions. In all cases, these high-geared cars were carefully built, but in increasingly high numbers, and were meant to be driven flat out, and to last indefinitely. Detail changes eventually led to major improvements, most notably to the suspension systems, and to the engines, (which were eventually expanded to 1.6-litres). Sales and production were enormous. At peak, more than a million Beetles were being built every year, the 1.2-litre types ran from 1954 to 1978, with assembly taking place in factories all round the world.
First built and registered in 1964, this particular Beetle has reportedly had five previous owners, all believed to be from the same extended family, and the mileage is claimed to be only 59,500. Like all such Beetles of the period, it had a 34bhp / 1.2-litre engine, 6-volt electrics, and drum brakes. Latterly treated as the 'family pet', it has completed only 1,500 miles since 1991. Commensurate with its age, the seller considers it to be in "excellent" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, bodywork and interior trim, while he rates the electrical equipment and paintwork as "very good". Because the Beetle has been the world's best-selling car, there is no (and probably never will be) problem in getting spare parts for the vehicle.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has a current MOT certificate July 2011.
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 21st Jul, 2010
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