1973 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1973 Volkswagen Beetle 1300

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Mileage~86,109 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine1.3-litre
LocationSolihull

AUCTION CLOSED

1973 Volkswagen Beetle 1300

Introduction

Glyn Parry

Professional Consigner

With its unmistakable design and cheerful personality, this little bug captured hearts around the world.

Produced from 1938, it's probably safe to say that the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced. Practical and reliable was the order of the day in the design of this classic, not to mention affordability, which is how it became known as the peoples' car.

Over 80 years on the production line, the Beetle has gone through many changes, from rear split screen, to oval window, suspension changes and engine upgrades. It's a car that has evolved over time without moving too far away from its classic roots.

This VW has really been looked after, especially over recent years having been largely restored in 2020 by its previous owner. Works included a full respray, new after market wheels and general engine and chassis maintenance. The car was originally gold from factory until it was resprayed in September 2013 to the red colour you see today.

As well as its restorative works, the Beetle is a matching numbers example. Coming to market after~4 years with our vendor, this VW presents as a great car for enthusiasts, collectors, and those looking for something a little bit special to own and enjoy.

This listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting James the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The Beetle has many fond memories for me, lots of fun miles spent out just enjoying the road!

James, the current keeper, tells us a bit more of how the car came into his ownership, he said, "Growing up I was always inspired by old fashioned German engineering, so when the opportunity came up from a friend to purchase his recently restored 1973 VW Beetle I jumped at it".

The VW has been a car that the James has really cherished over the years, going on to say, he said, "The main thing I love about the car would have to be the colour. It’s a gorgeous deep red that shows off the angles of the car very well".

The Beetle comes to market with some hesitancy, James explains, "I am reluctantly selling the car as the house it’s being stored at is going up for sale, due to a family members recent passing. I will be extremely upset to see this car go to a new home, however circumstances have prevented me from keeping the car".

James will be happy to answer any questions on the car in the comments section below.

James

Vehicle Owner

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

With its compact shape and distinctive rear-engine layout, this classic Bug is full of retro charm and quirky character.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with 15" 8-spoke EMPI wheels finished in black, these appear in a great condition with minimal scuffs or corrosion noted, these appear to be well cared for.

The Beetle is fitted with Pirelli Cinturato P1 tyres - the tyre spec showed with 195/60 to the front and 185/55 to the rear. These were all dated from 2017. These appear to be in good visual condition, with a good amount of tread remaining.

Please take a look at the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior of this VW and a closer look at the wheels and tyres.

Bodywork

Looking over the VW on our visit, the car maintains good visual panel gaps and both doors, bonnet and the boot open and close smoothly.

We noted the usual places where the panelling didn't quite perfectly align on the doors, which is typical for Beetles of this age.

We've highlighted our observations in more detail through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork on this car looks great and shows it has been cared for since its respray by the previous owner. We did note some signs of the paint bubbling on the drivers side door closest to the window edge and a couple of stone chips on the rear arch too.

The paint looks even in colour and coat on each panel of the car. Originally the car was painted gold, and although the exterior coat is well presented, there are some sign looking inside the front boot where the original colour is slightly visible.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass on the VW looked in great condition, in line with the age of the car; we didn't notice any cracks or discolouration during our visit. The window seals look to be well maintained too.

The trim sections are all present and a VW 1300 badge is in place to the rear. The chrome sections around the car were looking good too, just a couple of marks to the contrasting black edges, and a small note on wear to the rear section when we reviewed the exterior.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

This vintage icon welcomes you with a cosy, nostalgic cabin, featuring a minimalist design and distinctive flat dash.

Seats and Carpets

Seat sections look great in the interior, comfortable and inviting - the red finish is smart across the materials; cream piping to the seat edges looks good also. We noted minimal issues with the seats overall, although there were signs of wear to the seat edges of the drivers section.

Over in the rear seating area, the section looked like it had barely been used showing in great condition. The roof lining looked in good condition as well.

Carpet mats look great and show with very few issues on these. Underneath the mat sections again show nicely. The quality is also reflected in the front boot where we noted good quality and an overall tidy impression.

We cover the cabin area of the Beetle in further detail in our interior review video.

Dashboard

The flat red dash appears in great shape with no marks or scratches to report. The odometer showed with ~86,109 miles at the time of our visit. The central dash area showed the speedometer and odometer displaying well and without concern.

Twist buttons and switches on the main dash facing looked good and added a great sense of nostalgia to the stylish cabin. We noted no issues with any warning lights and the fuel gauge was functioning without concern.

Our interior gallery section offers a closer look at the VW's dashboard.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

A simple four-spoke wheel is fitted with a black leather grip showing without issue. The gear stick is consistent with the overall feel of the cabin area, it's in good condition and presented well.

Overall the drivers section is a straightforward setup with minimal fuss. It shows nicely given the vehicle is just over ~51 years young, having benefited from previous restorative works.

Additional images of the cabin area, including the steering wheel and gear stick, are available in our Interior Gallery section - visit to see more details of what the VW has to offer.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The air-cooled, rear-mounted 1,300cc flat-four engine offers a modest yet lasting performance, earning a place as iconic as the Beetle's unmistakable silhouette.

Engine and Gearbox

After starting the VW up, the engine sounded lovely - we didn't notice any untoward noises either at start up or whilst on the road. Running the car gave us no cause for concern and the engine idled steady when stationary.

Take a look at our "On the Road" video where we cover off the engine start up, idle and rev check and take the VW around the local area to find out a little more about the Beetle.

Suspension and Brakes

On the drive out, James took us around some local roads, we heard no knocks, bangs or squeaks from the suspension and overall the car performed as to be expected with no observed issues. The brakes felt good with no pulls or vibrations that stood out to us when on the journey and brought the car to a stop well.

We cover the underside of the car in our 'Mechanical Gallery' section. Head over to our video section, where we've summarised our visit in more detail for you to view for yourself. We take you around the mechanical elements of the car and give you an overview of what's on offer here.

The Drive

The real focus of the 1300 is pure and simple driving enjoyment. The Beetle is meant to be loved, experienced and ultimately, is a piece of motoring history designed with fun in mind which this example really delivers on.

James lets us know more about his experience with the Beetle, he said "The drive is so pure and raw that it gives a pleasurable and rewarding experience each time I take the car out. The car does not pull to either side and the drum brakes still stop the car with plenty of feel".

Our 'On the Road' video gives an overview of the car on some local roads and how it performs whilst driving.

Electrics and Other

The Beetle is ultimately an early '70s car and doesn't have many of the conveniences more modern drivers may be used to. The VW does come with an aftermarket Kenwood CD player fitted in the cabin area though.

All switches, dials, and gauges appear undamaged and in great condition. James mentioned that he's had no issues with the electrical elements of the car and confirmed everything working correctly to his knowledge.

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History and Paperwork

The "peoples' car" had evolved from its humble beginnings, to become a symbol of freedom and fun in the '60s and '70s.

The car went under a lot of restoration during 2020 including a full respray, new after market wheels and general engine and chassis maintenance. The car was originally gold from factory until it was resprayed in September 2013. The Beetle has only covered ~7,000 miles since 2010, it comes with its original instructions manual and a Haynes manual.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
05.05.2020	MOT	85,665
28.09.2017	MOT	85,222
26.06.2015	MOT	84,803
11.07.2014	MOT	83,900
09.08.2012	MOT	83,557
08.08.2011	MOT	82,448
08.09.2010	MOT	79,438

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Key Details

ModelBeetle 1300
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date08.08.1973
CC1,300
Mileage~86,109 on clock
ColourRed
Interior ColourRed
Interior TrimFabric
Chassis #1132954267
Engine #AB928936
Matching #sYes
MOTLast Exp. 2021
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - All Clear
Former Keepers5
Tyre TreadGood
Tyre BrandPirelli
Tyre Age2017
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~4 years, 3 months
Key FeatureRestored Condition
Vehicle RegistrationUEA 760M
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeSaloon
Auction ID2112

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All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Location

Solihull

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Auction Closed

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information.

Ask Questions

Seller : JamesK

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9 Comments

Atlasey

2 months ago

Hi again. Does the heater work ok? and the crank pulley..any plays there? thnx

JamesK

Seller

Atlasey

2 months ago

Hi,
Thanks for the enquiry.
The heater was last used at the start of 2024 so I believe it to be working. To my understanding everything on the car is mechanically correct and working.

johnnyechoecho

2 months ago

why did you choose trade classics to sell the car?

JamesK

Seller

johnnyechoecho

2 months ago

Hi,
I Chose Trade Classics as I wanted the car to go to a fellow enthusiast. Trade Classics offered me a very professional service that would not result in tire-kickers or joy-riders.

Atlasey

2 months ago

Hi,,Are the seats reupholstered or they have seat covers?? Thnx

JamesK

Seller

Atlasey

2 months ago

Hi,
Thanks for enquiring,
I do believe the seats have been reupholstered, however I am unsure when this was carried out.

rob1

2 months ago

Thanks James

JamesK

Seller

2 months ago

Hi Rob,
Thanks for enquiring.

There is no rust present on the car from my understanding, the car is in very good condition underneath for its age and the only time I have driven the car in wet conditions was to take pictures for the auction.

As the car is exempt from MOT’s and due to the lack of mileage from its last MOT in 2020 I did not see the point of getting another one.

I believe the issue of vehicle ID is due to the color change of the vehicle.

Hope this helps.

rob1

2 months ago

Hi James, any rust on the car?
If so where?
Why no mot?
What is the issue with the vehicle ID?
Rob

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Solihull

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