VW Beetle 1300

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? With very little weight over the front axle, the steering is beautifully light. It also feels tight and accurate on the road, so there is no wear to report. Both the clutch operation and gear changes are also very light and the lever drops into forward gears easily. Reverse takes a little finding, but becomes easy enough with familiarity. The brakes are good, stopping the car up straight without pulling to either side. The ride is reasonably smooth; it’s not bouncy or jittery and generally quite relaxed, which suits the leisurely power delivery. The air-cooled engine chatters away quietly to itself when cruising along and pulls cleanly, even from low revs.

BODYWORK CHECK

The vendor has just had the car resprayed because the old paint was so flat that it would no longer buff to a shine. The chassis appears solid and the vendor found no bodywork rust when the car was stripped for its new paint. The panels are all straight and look superb overall, though there is a crack in the nearside quarter light. The front bumper is in generally good condition, but there’s a dent in the rear bumper and new headlamp bezels are on order to replace the current pitted ones before the car goes to its new owner. The 15-inch wheels have tyres with decent tread and the chrome on the hubcaps is in good order.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

The condition of the textured vinyl seats shows how good the materials used really were because they have no rips, tears or marks and even the squabs aren’t squashed or worn away. Excellent black carpets are protected by a fitted full-width rubber floor mat in the front. The door cards appear to be in excellent condition, as does the headlining. The original seatbelts are still fitted in the front and the dashboard is clean and in good shape with unblemished paint. The steering wheel is fitted with a leather cover and the 1990s radio/ cassette player is a pleasant, if slightly anachronistic touch in this early 1970s car.

UNDER THE BONNET

The engine bay has an original and unmolested look to it. The carburettor appears to have been overhauled fairly recently because it is very clean and the fitted gaskets look quite new. The engine starts instantly and idles easily, the transmission is smooth and feels strong. A good look underneath the car reveals no signs of any fluid leaks.

THE CCW VIEW

With its new paint and solid metalwork, this is a stunninglooking Beetle and mechanically appears to be in excellent shape. Factor in an interior that’s comfortable and in very good condition, and you’re left with a sturdy and usable classic that’s ready to go.

Matt Richardson