Volkswagen Beetle 1200 (standard)
| Produced: |
1954-1964, 7267900 produced. ((all saloon models)) |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,2 doors,4 seats |
Designed by Porsche under the orders of Adolf Hitler, the VW Beetle was initially designed to provide cheap transport for the hard working German masses. Built in very small numbers before and during World War Two the Beetle literally rose from the ashes of its bombed-out Wolfsburg factory under the guidance of the British Army.
The Beetle was an instant success at home, Europe, Britain, America and virtually every other country in the world. The model evolved through various face lifts and running gear changes and provided a platform for other models including commercial and sporting derivatives (Karmann-Ghia).
The basic Beetle rear-engine/rear wheel drive layout was used in all of the Beetle derivatives, the engine itself being an air-cooled, horizontally opposed unit. As production raced past the 15,000,000 mark the Beetle went on to be crowned as the best selling car of all time. Production of German Beetles finished in the late 1970's but the car refused to die and has been built in Mexico ever since, evolving into the "New Beetle" in the late 1990's.
Although they looked the same as previous models, the 1302 and 1303 ‘Super’ Beetles were the most radical reworks of the car during its long life. MacPherson strut front suspension was adopted, which allowed more front boot space and improved handling. The struts also allowed front disc brakes to be fitted too. The 1303, from 1972, had a more safety-conscious padded dashboard and wraparound windscreen, plus bigger tail lights. Engines were the usual air-cooled units of 1285cc and 44bhp, and 1584cc and 50bhp. Not quite as liked as other Bugs.
Buyer Ownership Guide, Volkswagen Beetle featured in Practical Classics May 2005– available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.
Buying Guide, Volkswagen Beetle featured in Practical Classics February 1995 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click Here to view.
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1192cc | H4 OHV | VW Flat 4 (Type I) | 77mm x 64mm |
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm | Independent/Torsion bar | Independent/Torsion bar |
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 mph | 27.5 s | 31 mpg |
| Lot Num |
Description | Auctioneer | Date | Hammer Price | Hammer Price (inc premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 858 | 1959 Volkswagen 1200 2-Door Sedan | Bonhams | 27 Sep 2008 | $11000.00 | $12870.00 |
| 309 | 1956 Volkswagen Beetle | Coys | 3 Mar 2008 | £9998.00 | - |
| 330 | 1964 Volkswagen Beetle | Coys | 20 Oct 2007 | Not sold | |
| 252 | 1963 Volkswagen Beetle Golde Sunroof 'Herbie' | Coys | 27 May 2007 | - | £13174.00 |
| 370 | 1962 Volkswagon Beetle 1192cc | Coys | 18 Jun 2005 | - | £7057.00 |
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0837601622 | Volkswagen Beetle - Portrait of a Legend GVBE | Brooklands Books |
|
| 1855201917 | Volkswagen Road Test Books: VW Beetle Gold Portfolio 1935-67 | Brooklands Books |
|
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Buying guide - VW Beetle 1945-2003 |
120 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics March 2013 | |||
| Buying guide - VW Beetle 1945-2003 - How not to get bitten when buying a bug. | ||||
| Article |
Twin Test: Renault 4CV v Volkswagen Beetle |
46 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics Spring 2006 | |||
| Cars don't get any more famous than the VW Beetle, but is it time to look beyond the Bug? By Roger Payne | ||||
| Article |
It's a bug's life |
36 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics February 2003 | |||
| It's a Bug's Life. With the hype of the 'new Beetle' it's easy to forget that the old one is still built. David Lillywhite compares the Mexican Beetle with the early Oval. | ||||
| Article |
The engines that would't die |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics February 2002 | |||
| The engines that would't die - Some engine designs stick around forever, still performing impeccably long after they might have expired. Others come and go in the blink of an indicator. Lloyd McNeill looks at the Bruce Forsyths of the engine world. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars September 2001 pg 122 |
122 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars September 2001 | |||
| DKW 1000Svs Fiat 124S vs Skoda S110R vs Beetle 1300. Four different cars with one thing in common; their modern day equivalents all use the same Volkswagen-sourced floorpan | ||||
| Article |
Bug bitten |
46 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics June 2001 | |||
| VW Beetle 1200 - Big bitten - Peter Harman didn't just restore his Beetle. He immersed himself in the VW world. Daniel Hopkins joined him there. | ||||
| Article |
Volkswagen Beetle |
70 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics January 2001 | |||
| Volkswagen Beetle - No introduction needed, but don’t shell out on a Bug without a full inspection, says Russ Smith. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - Volkswagen Beetle |
32 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics February 1995 | |||
| Buyers Guide - Volkswagen Beetle - More popular than the Merset beat, the distinctive sound of a Volkswagen Beetle is music to its millions of fans. Mark Dixon is your guide to the fab flat-four. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Guide Volkswagen Beetle |
20 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 14 December 2011 | |||
| Buying Guide Volkswagen Beetle - From humble beginnings, the Volkswagen Beetle went on to conquer the automotive world. MATT GEORGE checks out what all the fuss is about. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Checklist: VW Beetle (1938-2003) |
76 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart November 2010 | |||
| Buyer's Checklist: VW Beetle (1938-2003) - Values: Types 51s are too rare to value, but you can expect to pay about £10k for a Condition 1 Type 11. Good examples of oval-window 1200s can easily fetch more than £7k, while non-ovals aren't that far behind. You're looking at about £4000 for a tidyish 1200/1300/1500 with an MoT, and similar money for a 1302/1303. Fancy a Karmann Cabriolet? Prices range from £5000 to £10k for a Condition 2 car, depending on engine size. | ||||
| Article |
Origins of the Volkswagen Beetle |
27 |
|
|
| Publication | The Automobile March 2010 | |||
| Origins of the Volkswagen Beetle - The Volkswagen factory at Wolfsburg began production in 1940. Jonathan Wood celebrates its 70th anniversary with a roll call of the personalities who ensured the VW Beetle would become the most popular car in the history of the automobile. | ||||
| Article |
The secret history of...VW Beetle |
625 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart March 2009 | |||
| The secret history of...VW Beetle- We all know that the people's Car was the brainchild of one Adolf Hitler. But how did it come to be sold in Britain, acountry that was still experiencing post-war anti-German feeling? Paul Guinness investigates. | ||||
| Article |
Thinking Of Buying...a Volkswagen Beetle? |
82 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart Spring 2006 | |||
| Thinking of buying...a Volkswagen Beetle? - They command fierce loyalty and devotion among their legions of fans. But are Beetles really as great as they're claimed to be? Ted Purcell guides us through the art of buying one. | ||||
| Article |
Buying power - Volkswagen Beetle |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 22 December 2005 | |||
| Buying power - Volkswagen Beetle - Volkswagen churned out over 21 million to make it the best selling car of all time, but could you love the bug? James Peene shows you how... | ||||
| Article |
Shootout - Minor vs Beetle |
38 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 2 June 2005 | |||
| Shootout - Minor vs Beetle. 1966 Morris Minor 1000 Convertible, Volkswagen Beetle 1200 Convertible. | ||||
| Article |
Its' a Bug's Life - Volkswagen Beetle |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics May 2004 | |||
| Its' a Bug's Life - Volkswagen Beetle - Fifty years and 330,000km after this Beetle first left Wolfsburg, it's still on its original engine. Greg Whitaker discovers the secret of its longevity. | ||||
| Article |
Starter Classic - Volkswagen Beetle |
144 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car April 2004 | |||
| Starter Classic - Volkswagen Beetle - The world's best-selling motor car makes an outstanding first classic, as Malcolm McKay explains. | ||||






















