Classic VW Beetle 1971 Tax Exempt 1300 Green & Cream Fully Restored

Here for sale is my beautiful tax-exempt 1971 1300 VW Beetle. I have had her for 8 years and the sale is a reluctant one but I just don't drive enough miles to justify keeping her. plus we have too many other classic cars. She is lovely to drive. makes the right noise and turns heads/starts conversations wherever she goes. She has been used as a wedding car for friends and family (see photos) and is admired by everyone who sees her.

She has been kept looking very original but has had various subtle modifications eg. special edition wheels. lower ride height and the interior contains a lot more painted steel (see photos).

She has been slightly lowered so sits really well. although is still practical as she rides well and goes over speed bumps no problem. She's been totally reliable and I've never had any worries about taking her long distances. We live in Yorkshire and she's been to Cornwall. Santa Pod. Northumberland. Stanford. too many VW festivals to count(!) and she has always been spot on.

She was subject to a full. body-off restoration 7 years ago (photo-file available) and since the restoration has only been driven during summer. ensuring that she is kept in mint condition. We used high quality parts throughout. avoiding rubbishy repro stuff! She has always been kept under a fitted cover when not in use and kept very clean both internally and externally. The quality of the paint is excellent and although there are now a couple of tiny bubbles. she essentially looks as good as she did when she came out of the paint oven!

All the locks use the same key - which is nice!

If I could justify keeping her. I would. but she deserves to be with someone who will use her more and appreciate her for the lovely old lady that she is. I have put up as many pictures as I can. but if you would like any more. or would like to view her. please get in touch.

RESTORATION WORK …

Paint:

The paint is excellent. She had a full two-tone re-spray. including all the interior. engine bay and under-bonnet areas.   The car was fully stripped to do this (including all windows). She was sprayed in a professional body-shop environment (including oven – see photos). The guy that painted her works on drag cars. supercars and classic racers and has won awards for his paint. He used the car as a bit of a showcase when he set up his business (see his Facebook page - search for Pokies Paintshop in West Yorkshire – the photos are in the photo album entitled ‘Vickys 1972 Beetle' although it is definitely a 1971!!). After 7 years. a couple of minor bubbles have appeared but other than this. the paintwork is still immaculate.

Bodywork:

Full body-off restoration so there is no rust left in this car. New panels include the sills. heater channels. spare wheel well and floor pans plus repairs wherever needed to make her structurally sound. All four wings and the bonnet were replaced with genuine VW ‘new old stock' panels (not reproduction) and the doors with Californian import rust-free doors (genuine VW). Great attention was paid to quality of shut lines and fit (as you can see in the photographs). as per original standard (see photographs). The doors shut and fit really well (it really does help to open a window!) and it really adds to the quality feel of the car. 90% of the rubber seals and gaskets were replaced. She was also fully rustproofed.

Interior:

Original black vinyl seats were fitted in addition to new trim panels and (black) headliner. The headliner is not the full one. but the basic square one which covers the roof. but doesn't extend to the side rails and pillars. There is lot of exposed painted metal in the cabin as I was so proud of the paint when she came back to me that I wanted to show it off (see photos) and now has really clean and simple look.

Wheels:

The car is sitting on original VW special edition steel rims as fitted to the Marathon Beetle which means they are the right period for the car. The wheels were shot-blasted and painted to match the exterior paintwork. The all-important original (and very rare) Marathon caps are all present. All 4 tyres were fitted last summer and are essentially new. having only done a couple of hundred miles. The original wheels are also included in the sale.

Engine & mechanics:

Standard 1300 twin-port engine. The previous owner told me it was a recently fitted reconditioned Vege unit and and had only done a few thousand miles. I have no paperwork to prove this. but can testify that she has never missed a beat in all the years I have been driving her and sounds really smooth and sweet. even when it's not been run in a couple of months! The engine was removed. dismantled. repainted and fully serviced as part of the restoration. Mechanically. she is in good order. She's flown through every MOT since the restoration. and my mechanics are baffled as to why I am selling her :-) 

EXTRAS

Triple air horns - these sound fab. especially when going through tunnels!

Sony CD/radio - auxiliary MP3 input socket. flip-off front. The speakers are hidden behind the rear seats under a false parcel shelf which also provides some concealed storage.

12V power outlet in the glovebox for MP3s and phones.

Fire Extinguisher fitted under the dashboard

Inertia Reel seat-belts (Fr)

THINGS TO NOTE

I have never got round to buying the bonnet liner that goes under the hood

There is a slight crack in the paint underneath the rear window (pictured)

The largest rust bubble is on the rear valance (pictured)

The seats were the best original ones I could find but the driver's has torn a bit around the side handle.

INCLUDED AT ASKING PRICE

Full MOT

Full set (5) of original VW wheels which were sprayed to match the car (seen fitted in some of the wedding photos …). These are complete with a set of good chrome hubcaps (tyres are poor).

Fitted cover/bag - tailor-made by Pro-Tec in dark green and is very good quality. It needs a repair to a small tear in the fabric. but it is still an excellent cover in great condition and keeps the car dry. Held on by 6 under-body straps.

A big box of spares including …new clutch pressure plate. good rear bumper with brackets. pair side windows. door glass. new A/R bar fitting kit. wiper motor. inlet manifold. air cleaner housing. new driveshaft boot. several headlamps/rear lights/indicators in pieces. various seals and rubbers. various cables. catches/latches. original seat belts.

3 Manuals – Haynes. Autobooks. Autodata (photocopied)

Green Haynes Beetle bag (matches car) – shabby but cool and usable

Full photographic record of the restoration on CD

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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