Lot 49: Volkswagen 1500 Beetle

Along with the Mini, Ford Model T and the Austin 7, the VW Beetle was nominated by a panel of motoring journalists for the celebrations of a Century of Motoring, as one of four cars that changed the twentieth century.  All four were designed as 'people's cars', for mass production at an affordable price to bring motoring to the masses.  Volkswagen certainly achieved this, with over 21 million built in Europe between 1945 and 1977 and production continuing in Brazil and Mexico until relatively recently.  The simple, four-cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled engine and rugged mechanicals were, from the outset, designed for lifelong reliability and many Beetles have given outstanding service.  These iconic little cars are still proving popular with many enthusiastic owners today.Supplied new by Turgis Green Garage of Basingstoke in February 1967, this example remained with its first owner for eighteen years, the second kept it for the next five and for the last seventeen years it has been in mother/daughter ownership.  We are told that it has only had partial restoration and its current concours winning condition is truly a testament to the care that has been bestowed upon it over the years.  Powered by the 1500cc of the Volkswagen flat-four and finished in Savannah beige with black interior trim, the odometer reads 76,500 miles, confirmed as genuine by the history file.  Amongst the awards this car has gained are three first places and a second, no mean feat when the ultra critical VW Owners' Club are the judges.Documentation supplied includes the above mentioned history file containing service history and receipts, along with 20 previous MOT certificates, copy registration documents and the current V5C and MOT certificate.  Also supplied with the car are the trophies it has gained so far.