1973 Volkswagen Beetle Karmann Cabriolet

Registration No: PGF 305L
Chassis No: 1332504008
MOT: January 2024

• Believed to be an original UK-supplied right-hand drive Karmann Cabriolet and UK registered in 1973
• Offered from long-term family ownership
• Fitted with a new battery last year and subject to attention to the brakes in 2018
• Rare in-period dealer-offered VW 'Formula Vee' Rallye gear shifter with wooden knob

In 1948, Wilhelm Karmann bought a standard Beetle and converted it into a four-seater convertible. After successfully presenting it at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, Karmann began production of the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet in 1949. After a number of stylistic and technical alterations made to it, the last of 331,847 cabriolets came off the conveyor belt on the 10th of January, 1980, bringing with it the end of an era. In 1971, alongside continued production of the standard Beetle, a variant that featured Macpherson strut front suspension and a re-designed front end was introduced which was officially known and marketed in Europe as the 'VW 1302' from 1971 to 1972, and 'VW 1303' from 1973 onwards. The VW Beetle has seduced many a first-time buyer, collector and classic car enthusiast. And for obvious reasons; the parts network is many and inexpensive, the ability to convert the base model into many different variants was always available and the cost of the car itself presented a gateway into classic car ownership.

Believed to be an original UK-supplied right-hand drive Karmann Cabriolet version of the 1303 Type 1 Beetle, this particular car was first UK registered in 1973. Offered from long-term family ownership, the car was fitted with a new battery last year. In 2018 the Cabriolet had some attention paid to the brakes, which included adjustment. Some money was also spent fettling the car for the MOT in 2017.

Inside the cabin, the seats have previously been recovered in Black with Red piping and there is the factory specification wood effect dashboard insert complemented by a rare in-period dealer-offered VW 'Formula Vee' Rallye gear shifter with wooden knob. External accessories include rare front and rear bumper over-riders, original Volkswagen mud flaps and replica Empi 8-spoke alloy wheels. The engine appears to be a 1300cc twin-port engine. The Cabriolet is offered at the sale with a V5C.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760