9th Apr, 2025 12:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 133
 

1971 Volkswagen Beetle 1300
Unique custom build by Limebug

Estimated at £20,000 - £25,000

Lot details

Registration No: FLP 387J
Chassis No: 1112385180
MOT: Exempt

  • Presented as 'The Bordeaux Bug', it featured at the Volksworld Show 2023
  • Unique custom build by Limebug Ltd, well known classic Volkswagen restoration specialists
  • Extensive restoration and mechanical build with an Airkewld air ride suspension and a 4-inch narrowed beam

The iconic Volkswagen Beetle, officially the air-cooled Volkswagen Type 1, was produced around the world from 1938 to 2003. The Ferdinand Porsche designed 'people's car' is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history, never officially designated as 'Beetle', or 'Bug', it was noted for its distinctive shape and became ingrained in popular culture over a 65 year production period, the longest of any single generation of automobile. It has since lived-on as the 1998 water-cooled New Beetle and spawned many custom builds, most notably the understated custom, lowered and performance bred 'Cal Look' scene of California.

Featured at Volksworld 2023, where it was one of the hits of the prestigious classic air-cooled Volkswagen show, this is a unique build from 'Limebug', the well-known Newcastle-under-Lyme based Volkswagen specialists. Extensively restored and customised in the vein of a 'Cal-Look' and known as 'The Bordeaux Bug' - due to its beautiful VW L51 paint code colour scheme, this has to be up there as one of the finest builds in the country. Beginning as a driveway project, it was handed over to Limebug for the full expert care and restoration that included new OE thickness floor pan halves, new heater channels, a full front clip, new bumper irons, original doors, the list goes on, before the mechanicals and interior were upgraded. Turning our attention to the custom parts, starting with the suspension, the front end has been fitted with Limebug Gen II air suspension and a Jawbreaker beam fitted with Titan through rods and reconditioned trailing arms with long travel ball joints. The trick 4-inch narrowed beam has narrowed tie rods with Ultrarm and 2.5-inch dropped spindles. It is all sitting on an Airkewld air-ride set-up, so the whole car can be adjusted using the air-ride control inside; the controls have all been modified to fit into the dash. Riding on fully detailed Fuchs wheels in Gloss Black and chrome using 4.5J fronts and deep 6J rears, it was fitted with brand-new disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear, so it's worth checking out how good this Beetle is underneath. Pushing the whole package along is a 1300cc engine. The interior is just as stunning as the outside, with a Kens Customs full interior in biscuit mohair and Burgundy, making this up there with some of the best we've seen. This special Beetle is offered with a specification sheet and the current V5.

Baljit Atwal
baljit.atwal@handh.co.uk
07943 584762

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 9th Apr, 2025

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

To enquire about entering your classic or performance car into the auction please call our sales office on 01925 210035, email sales@HandH.co.uk or click here: Enter Your Classic Motorcar 

All our professional valuations are complimentary and without obligation.

To take part in the live online bidding please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page, alternatively, bidding can take place via our auction partners at Saleroom.com Saleroom.com

 

VIEW THE CATALOGUE

 

Viewing

Tues 8th April from 1pm
Wed 9th April from 9am

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Strong sales at Millbrook round off a successful 2025 for H&H Classics
H&H Classics finishes 2025 in style with final auction of the year
Homegrown entries set high benchmark at upcoming Millbrook auction
Historic motorsport entries make tracks to Millbrook auction
H&H continues 2025’s impressively high sales rate at its final motorcycle auction of the year
Barry Sheene’s race bike among amazing entries for H&H’s motorbike and scooter auction
Fantastic results and strong performance for H&H’s largest ever Buxton auction
Trio of Harley-Davidsons and iconic ‘Captain America’ chopper to star at H&H Classics auction
‘Reassuringly desirable’ scooters going under the hammer with H&H Classics
H&H reveals full lot list for its largest ever Buxton auction
First entries for H&H’s October motorcycle auction highlight impressive standard
British, German and American classics from one collection heading to auction
One-owner icons and low mileage survivors among early entries for H&H’s Buxton auction
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster achieves over £750k
Exquisite line up for H&H’s first ever Kelham Hall auction
Low-mileage Jaguar with royal connection heads to auction
Hammer time for iconic piece of 1960s movie history
Motor City icons bring American thunder to Kelham Hall auction
Competition eligible 1937 Aston Martin ‘Team Car’ Evocation takes to auction’s starting grid
Special opportunity to own highly desirable late-production 300SL Roadster
Continental classics shine at H&H’s Buxton auction
Motoring milestones set for H&H’s July Buxton auction
Charity auction for century-old pioneering hybrid car
Immaculate concours Jaguars among prized lots at H&H Classics’ Buxton auction
High demand from classic motorcycle and vintage scooter enthusiasts at H&H auction •	More than 210 l
Historic, rare and celebrity motorbikes line up for H&H auction
British icons lead the way at H&H’s first ever Millbrook
Early entries set high bar for The Classic Motorcycle Auction
High society… rare, low mileage 1960 Mercedes-Benz with aristocratic pedigree up for auction
H&H’s inaugural Classics & Coffee is one to savour
Best of British classics from significant collection being auctioned at Millbrook
Jaguar MkII leads stand out results at Buxton auction
Historic motoring venue to host established classic car auction house
H&H’s Buxton auction boasts coveted classics to ‘peak’ the interest
Ten standout classics from one collection to be auctioned
Sir Elton John’s former Aston Martin among notable lots hammered away at Duxford auction
H&H’s first motorcycle auction of 2025 achieves impressive sales rate
Brough Superior’s among star lots heading to H&H Classics motorcycle and scooter auction
‘Unique’ Ferrari ‘Wide Body’ prances to Cambridgeshire auction
Rocket Man’s ride rocks up for auction
Rare opportunity to own popular TV presenter’s scooter
H&H Classics ‘Season Opener’ enjoys noteworthy results
Last bike ridden by Hairy Biker Dave Myers to be auctioned
Over 90 eye-catching lots head to auction in H&H’s ‘Season Opener’
New venue among H&H Classics’ 2025 auction dates
Over 1,100 classics worth more than £14 million sold by H&H Classics in 2024
H&H Classics rounds off 2024 with strong performance
Relive blockbuster TV show Rivals by owning a ‘racy’ classic