Finding a VW Beetle with ‘delivery only’ mileage is the stuff of fantasy, which is why we had to rub our eyes when we spotted an advert for this factory-fresh 1975 1303 with just 242 miles on the clock…
Not only that but it’s a limited edition La Grande Bug, which was only available in the United States, so it’s got plush corduroy seats, a leather grained steering wheel, rosewood finish dash and a steel sunroof. Two colours were available, Lime Green and Ancona Blue – this obviously being the latter, and the seats, carpets and doorcards all match the exterior. Obviously being US-spec it’s got the beefy telescopic bumpers, fuel injected 1600 engine and bigger wing-top indicators.
So how come it’s done so few miles? Well, it was ordered originally by the proprietor of a VW dealership in Michigan, his intention being to keep the car for his children to use when they went to college. However, as newer models featuring better safety equipment were launched, the kids got their hands on a Golf instead and while indulging no doubt in the usual higher education shenanigans the Bug languished in their pop’s showroom. It was imported to the UK in 2010 and has been stored in a heated, de-humidified garage since that time.
Consequently, the car has never been registered – so it’s basically the closest you’ll get to buying a brand new Beetle and looking at the car it’s difficult to believe it’s four decades old!
The nice thing is that, unsurprisingly, everything about this car shouts originality; there’s even a sticker explaining the procedure required to start the car. Now, that’s a definite talking point in itself. The cardboard bonnet liner which usually looks scruffy after a while is virtually unmarked and if you open the lockable glovebox, there’s even the original pack of fuses supplied when new. Totally unmolested, there’s not even been a radio fitted!
For sale at Peterborough-based KGF Classics for £24,995, it seems the low mileage Bug has now sold – so if you’re the lucky new owner, we’d love to hear from you…
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage
Students love volkswagen but driving a beetle to school? Not sure if they gonna do that.
I used to drive my Beetle cabrio to school, although the hood was shot – so every time it rained I had to rush out with a tarpaulin! Luckily my business studies teacher had a Beetle so she was pretty understanding.