53 Reg REAL Beetle?

[marcosgt]

I was on the M3 this morning and spotted a proper, air-cooled VW Beetle with a modern AA53 plate.

Were they still making Beetles anywhere in 2003?

M.

[kambites]

I think they only stopped in South America in the last few years, so yes.

ETA: In fact according to wikipedia, they stopped making them in 2003, so that must have been one of the last.

[roboxm3]

Mexico? Can't remember when they stopped making them there...

[v8will]

roboxm3 said:

Mexico? Can't remember when they stopped making them there...

2003, apparently due to emmissions.

I've often wondered what a late import Beetle would be like, I think they ruined the character of the T2 van by fitting a water cooled engine

[Grey Ghost]

There is also one just down the road from me on a 53 plate. I'm not sure if it is an original RHD that the guy has bought or if it has been rebuilt by an after market specialist. It is in A1 condition and looks and sounds like a true VW when I see it on the road.

[MGgeordie]

I saw an 04 plate one just last week.....

[CYMR0]

Saw a red, RHD 53 plate a few weeks ago, looking extremely tired and rusty, parked up next to an older, "new" Beetle that was in much better shape.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Even if it was built in 2003 it was still designed and engineered 60 years ago!

[marcosgt]

Thanks - I knew they made them Mexico for years, but not that they lasted until THAT recently.

I always hated Beetles (noisy, uncomfortable things), but it piqued my interest on the dreary commute in this morning, so thanks if it is yours

M.

[vixen1700]

marcosgt said:

I always hated Beetles (noisy, uncomfortable things)

I ws like that too until a few years back and we stumbled across a VW day at North Weald, walked about for a bit and my Mrs. (who had one very many years ago) fell in love with an Apple Green 1600 GT Beetle for sale and we just had to have it.

Fell in love with the wee thing, it was like driving a lovely little pod that just hummed along with a great sound, and being a 1600, it was pretty quick too.



Very similar to this, as it had the same BRM alloys too.

[Fast Bug]

CYMR0 said:

Saw a red, RHD 53 plate a few weeks ago, looking extremely tired and rusty, parked up next to an older, "new" Beetle that was in much better shape.

The newer Beetle's aren't built to the standard of the 60's and earlier Beetle. The 'chrome' has a laughable life expectancy as well!

[Vince70]

I have had a few beetles over the years and I think the last beetles that were made in Germany were around 1977, so it will be a Mexican or Brazilian beetle.
The build quality I think was never as good as the German/Belgium machines.
Plus the later German Beetles were much more advanced you couldn't buy a 1303 beetle in south America only the old torsion bar beetles.
You also can still buy the old camper van new and import it from south America, but I think its now watercooled.
When I bought spare Chrome work for my old beetles I would never buy the south American stuff as it only seemed to last about 3 Months till the dreaded rust would come through.

[paulrussell]

Pope John Paul II was given the last Beetle made in 2003, though I have no idea who owns it now.

[Ved]

paulrussell said:

Pope John Paul II was given the last Beetle made in 2003, though I have no idea who owns it now.

Since it's all about material things meaning nothing I suspect he's given it away. Just like all the gold in the churches