1961 VW Beetle

MODEL HISTORY
The VW Beetle has become an iconic vehicle worldwide, and has built a huge loyal following. As the floor pan and running gear can be used without the body being attached, it’s become a firm favourite amongst kit car builders. Beetles have been turned into Porsche 356 replicas, beach buggies, and Nova kit cars to mention just a few. When production stopped in 2003 in Mexico over 21 million air-cooled Volkswagen Beetles had been produced. Over eight decades of manufacturing came a whole variety of models, ranging from 25hp through to the 1303S, or Super Beetle, with independent rear suspension.

Fashions change and over the years the VW Beetle has seen styles come and go. By the 1960s the trend to build street-legal drag racers was taking hold in the USA, especially on the West Coast. Here in the UK smaller tuning companies such as Speedwell developed carb tuning kits and alloy wheels.

EQUIPMENT
Original Black paintwork, Original cloth upholstery, 4-speed manual transmission, Steering lock, Wing mirrors, Driver and passenger sun visors, Cross-ply white wall tyres, Polished hubcaps, Parcel shelf, Glove compartment, Peak number plates, Spare wheel.

EXTERIOR
Looking every bit the ‘60s icon in black with period white wall tyres, this fantastic ‘61 Beetle boasts an attractive aged patina throughout. But what really makes this example so special is that it has never required any welding. Better still, following a check over with our paint depth gauge the paintwork appears almost entirely original, with only one small repair having been carried out to the offside front wing early on in the car’s life. As to be expected with 60-year-old paint there are a few minor blemishes to report, namely a peppering of stone chips at the front end, but nothing to detract from the overall charm. All in all, a true survivor in highly original and very solid condition, ready to be driven and enjoyed for many years to come.