Ordinary unmodified Beetles circa 1970

[Lester H]

Anyone bother with these nowadays? Not modded Cal Look, or Porsche engined, just the 1300 and 1500 that Local GP,s wife drove in late 60s. Had one in the 80s, bought as a good runner I.e. Next step bangerdom, but really liked it. Any left out there that are standard and serviceable? Having owned one of course I know they not worth funny money, just wondering if they still crop up in the world most of us inhabit

Edited by Lester H on Saturday 5th December 21:53

[SPT28]

Other half has one that she restored relatively recently, a '74 1303S. It's never going to be the most sought after compared to the earlier models and I personally find it challenging in every sense (just not my thing), but she seems to love it, it was even our wedding car earlier this year.

[Lester H]

SPT28 said:

Other half has one that she restored relatively recently, a '74 1303S. It's never going to be the most sought after compared to the earlier models and I personally find it challenging in every sense (just not my thing), but she seems to love it, it was even our wedding car earlier this year.

That looked most attractive. Really I was thinking of hack or spare car type of thing, safe and sound but not necessarily pretty. In some ways, modded examples ironically worse than stereotypical, 2 local owners, car still chuffing along!

[Renn Sport]

I have one and frankly I love it. They are fabulous things to drive. Also the whole driving expirience is rewarding in many untangable ways. Many people only hate them because they have driven battered worn out cars which required TLC. Like many classics its all down to the car you expirience.

Nikki Lauda and many racing drivers found their way into racing through the humble VW Beetle. Wolfgang Von Trips was racing VW's and 356's if I remember correctly. Of course a 356 is essentially a VW Beetle in many ways.. IMHO.

I have to say that 1303S in Gemini Blue is just my cup of tea and frankly a car I would love to own.

The 1303 is a very underated machine. Fully independent suspension featuring McPhearson struts up front and IRS rear, very much like the Porsche 924 and 944.
A nice 1303 is truly a joy to peddle and dare I say fun! They 'S' being superior due to its longer ratio gearbox and 1600cc twin port per cylinder head design.

What a fantastic car!


I think there are still a lot of decent 70's VW's out there. You just need to pick a good one.

Edited by Renn Sport on Friday 11th December 14:46

[Cooperman]

There are quite a few really nice ones on 'Car&Classic' web site.

[TR4man]

I've never owned a Beetle, or even driven one, however I shall always remember in the 1980s when early Beetles were practically worthless my Uncle Ben buying a red one for £12.

He kept it many years using it for his commute from Cherry Burton to Hull University. It stood outside in all weathers and never, ever let him down.

He always used to say that it was the best £12 he'd ever spent!

[Rubin215]

I have a '71 1300 in very rare Turkis metalic paint; two previous owners, 115k, still on original engine and gearbox.

I had it resprayed just after I got it about 10 years ago and I've added a few chrome trims along the way, but apart from that it's standard.

Such a satisfying and relaxing car to drive in nice weather; bimbling along at 55mph, quarter lights open, totally chilled in every way.

Horrible to drive in winter with a warm air heating system blowing dampness on a cold screen, carb icing and wooden brakes; totally chilling in every way...

I live it!

[SPT28]

Renn Sport said:

I have to say that 1303S in Gemini Blue is just my cup of tea and frankly a car I would love to own.

The 1303 is a very underated machine. Fully independent suspension featuring McPhearson struts up front and IRS rear, very much like the Porsche 924 and 944.
A nice 1303 is truly a joy to peddle and dare I say fun! They 'S' being superior due to its longer ratio gearbox and 1600cc twin port per cylinder head design.

What a fantastic car!

Close it's Ontario blue as per 1 of the four original paint options. Took much deliberation as to whether it should go back to its original factory Moss green but the blue won. Must confess I think it's a lovely colour and sets the car off nicely. I'll add you to the list if she ever decides to sell

I agree the cars are underrated re suspension etc. a simple yet effective design. It can be fun once you're 'in the zone' and remember the foibles of the gearbox but it always takes me so long to get used to it - makes for some entertainment in modern traffic where nobody seems to have any patience - more practice on the country back roads needed perhaps

[Dr Interceptor]

I have a 1973 1303 - not entirely standard, but it's not slammed to the ground and modded to death either.



I'll be selling the Stag this Spring, as with the Beetle and Jensen, it just doesn't get a look in.

[MoggieMinor]

That looks just like the 1303 I had a few years ago. I bought it purely on a whim, never been interested in them before. I had so much respect for that car after a few weeks of using it. So well built and utterly reliable. Thats one car I should never have sold.

[uk66fastback]

I had an F reg one about 30 years ago. Paid £100 for it with a month's MOT.

I used it to drive while I was looking for a decent Stag. After looking for a month I somehow got an MOT on it after it failed miserably at a main stealer (the naivety of youth) ... Then I sold it after finding a Stag. The Triumph turned out to be ste and blew a head gasket inside a year while I am sure the Beetle rattled on for years ...

[quick check on DVLA] ... KEB 910F has been untaxed since 1994 ...

Love the 1303 variants ... And the Jeans ones ...

[Renn Sport]

I bought my Beetle in 1993 as my first car and I still have it.

Still adore it and makes me smile a lot.

[Streetrod]

I have had a number of Beetles over the years and still own my very first one which was also my first car bought in 1979.I never drove it as a standard I kind of cut it up as you can see below.

I also built this resto mod beetle for the other half. The car was standard apart from a lowered beam axel and Ferrari 250 Lusso Steering wheel. I wish I had kept that. The colour combination was her choice by the way

I also restored a 1967 Beetle for me brother

[vixen1700]

Found a picture on Google of my old 1600 GT Beetle which was all Apple Green and had front bumpers when I had it. Loved the BRM alloys it had.

[SPT28]

Renn Sport

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C731426

[grumpy52]

I remember fitting a stereo system in a 1303s (?) Back in 72 or 73 .It was my job in those days .
I took it for a road test, hated it !
5 years later me and my mate bought a slightly bent one and replaced the front wings and bonnet and fixed the brakes .
Hated that one as well.

[Spydaman]

I did this to mine. No quite standard anymore but I do drive it most days when it's not raining.

[Riley Blue]

I had a 1303 (RTT 485N) and absolutely loved it. It started out orange but by the time I finished with it was metallic black with gold flake, had flared wings with 13" Wolfrace Slots at the front and 15" at the rear with an 1786cc engine built by Arnie Levics, single Weber and external oil cooler. All re-trimmed inside with Huntmaster bucket seats, I thought it was the dog's danglies. I sold it for what I'd put into it to a lad who'd inherited some money and bought an early Golf GTI (the first of nine I owned). I still drive VAG today, an A8...

[Rangeroverover]

My dad was one of the british army people running vw after the war, he had one of the first 50 off the line for himself...........kinda wish he had kept it along with the mercedes cabriolet he was issued with.

They used to sell them through the officers mess or the US PX, they made the yanks pay more than the brits