7th Dec, 2011 15:00
The Pavilion Gardens
1972 Volkswagen Beetle 1200
Estimated at £2,500 - £3,500
Lot details
Registration No: LLO564K
Chassis No: 1122299637
Mot Expiry: Nov 2012
The story of the Volkswagen Beetle is like no other. Sixty-six years of production, over 21 million examples manufactured, production on five continents etc - the statistics are just staggering, as is the car's history. In 1933, Hitler ordered Ferdinand Porsche to design and develop a `volkswagen' (a people's car). It needed to be a basic, affordable vehicle capable of transporting two adults and up to three children at speeds of up to 100kph (ie 62mph). The plan was to offer it to citizens of the Third Reich via a savings scheme. The newcomer finally went into production in 1938 and, while it inevitably evolved over the years (it is said to have benefited from 78,000 incremental changes), the basic concept was never altered - as enduring a tribute to the genius of Dr Porsche as he could have wished for. The now familiar two-door Beetle-shaped body was affixed to the car's almost flat chassis by just 18 bolts. A raised centre tunnel provided the required rigidity. Power came from an all-alloy, rear-mounted flat-four, air-cooled engine. Suspension was independent by torsion bars all round. Though manufacture ceased in Europe in 1978 (after surpassing the previous world record of 15 million cars held by the Model T) it continued in South America until 2003, its return to Brazil reputedly being at the request of a former girlfriend of the president!
The flat screen Beetle being sold is a 1972 example powered by the 1192cc engine. It is finished in Metallic Blue and trimmed in Black vinyl. During the previous nineteen year ownership, `LLO 654K' reportedly underwent a renovation that included the fitting of new doors, wings, bumpers, heater channels, floor pans and fuel tank. In addition, the brakes are understood to have been overhauled and the interior refurbished, with the exception of the seats. The work was completed in 2003, since when the Beetle has covered little more than 400 miles, the vendor having acquired it at our April 2010 sale in Buxton. He is now offering this timeless classic with tax until the end of March and MOT into November 2012. Apparently the engineer that carried out that test described the Beetle as "the best he had seen".
Registration No: LLO564K
Chassis No: 1122299637
Mot Expiry: Nov 2012
The story of the Volkswagen Beetle is like no other. Sixty-six years of production, over 21 million examples manufactured, production on five continents etc - the statistics are just staggering, as is the car's history. In 1933, Hitler ordered Ferdinand Porsche to design and develop a `volkswagen' (a people's car). It needed to be a basic, affordable vehicle capable of transporting two adults and up to three children at speeds of up to 100kph (ie 62mph). The plan was to offer it to citizens of the Third Reich via a savings scheme. The newcomer finally went into production in 1938 and, while it inevitably evolved over the years (it is said to have benefited from 78,000 incremental changes), the basic concept was never altered - as enduring a tribute to the genius of Dr Porsche as he could have wished for. The now familiar two-door Beetle-shaped body was affixed to the car's almost flat chassis by just 18 bolts. A raised centre tunnel provided the required rigidity. Power came from an all-alloy, rear-mounted flat-four, air-cooled engine. Suspension was independent by torsion bars all round. Though manufacture ceased in Europe in 1978 (after surpassing the previous world record of 15 million cars held by the Model T) it continued in South America until 2003, its return to Brazil reputedly being at the request of a former girlfriend of the president!
The flat screen Beetle being sold is a 1972 example powered by the 1192cc engine. It is finished in Metallic Blue and trimmed in Black vinyl. During the previous nineteen year ownership, `LLO 654K' reportedly underwent a renovation that included the fitting of new doors, wings, bumpers, heater channels, floor pans and fuel tank. In addition, the brakes are understood to have been overhauled and the interior refurbished, with the exception of the seats. The work was completed in 2003, since when the Beetle has covered little more than 400 miles, the vendor having acquired it at our April 2010 sale in Buxton. He is now offering this timeless classic with tax until the end of March and MOT into November 2012. Apparently the engineer that carried out that test described the Beetle as "the best he had seen".
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 7th Dec, 2011
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:
Do you have an item to sell?
If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035
