Lot 452: 1979 Volkswagen ‘Beetle’ Cabriolet

One of the 20th Century’s truly great automobiles, the Volkswagen ‘Beetle’ spawned a host of derivatives, the longest enduring being the Cabriolet. A single prototype was built pre-war, but it was not until 1949 that production commenced, the bulk of which was entrusted to Karmann of Osnabruck, whose four-seater Cabriolet appeared soon after the two-seater Hebmuller-built version. Only the Karmann four-seater would stand the test of time, outliving the saloon by two years and remaining ever fashionable - an instantly recognisable motoring icon to this day.
Mechanical changes to the Cabriolet kept pace with those of the saloon until the latter’s production began to wind down in the early 1970s. Thus the Cabriolet gained the Super Beetle’s McPherson strut front suspension, trailing arm rear suspension and more-bulbous bonnet for 1971, the effect of these long overdue suspension improvements being markedly superior handling. 1973 brought with it further styling changes in the form of a curved windscreen (and shortened bonnet), recessed dashboard and altered rear wings with enlarged light clusters. Topping the range was the 1.6-litre 1303 LS. In this specification the Cabriolet continued to be built at Osnabruck until January 1980, two years after German production of the saloon had ended.
Of course, the Beetle sold as much on style as practicality in its later years, and there can be few Beetles more stylish than this most attractive 1.6-litre Cabriolet. A right-hand drive model finished in green with matching leather interior, the car represents the Beetle Cabriolet in its ultimate specification. Offered for sale from private ownership in the Republic of Ireland, where it is registered ‘79D 1029’, the vehicle was restored in 2003/04 and benefits from significant recent expenditure to present it in the best possible condition.