50 LM 3003

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WARNING.— The person in whose name this vehicle is displayed may or may not be the current owner of the vehicle. Readers are warned, therefore, that this entry is not proof of ownership.

Details

Registration Mark
50 LM 3003
(a) Type:
Type 1
(b) Year:
1950
(c) Colour:
Pastel Green
(d) Paint code:
L51
(e) Engine CCs:
1100

History

(a) Country of origin:
Unknown or Invalid Region
(b) County first reg'd:
Leitrim
(c) Current or last known location:
Donegal

Model information

Split Window Beetle Deluxe

Info

Seeing as early Beetles have a 1131cc engines, or as they’re more commonly referred to as 1100cc engines, Noah Ryan asked that this very early Split Beetle be kept aside for entry number 1,100 to give a nod to its original 1,100cc engine. Your wish is our command Noah so entry # 1,100 has your name on it!

Noah was walking around the Bundoran Classic Car Show in July 2022 when he happened to see what looked like a Split Beetle, which is not something you see every day at a show in Ireland. Noah made his way over to investigate and yes, it was a real Split Window Beetle and not a customised later Beetle, made to look older. Noah made sure to photograph this Split Window Deluxe knowing that this is a rare sight at any show in Ireland and we’re glad he did because we’ve never seen this Beetle before.

This 1950 Split Beetle is a LHD and on import number plates so not an Irish assembled Beetle, but when it comes to Splits, that’s not the point. Having a Split Window Beetle in Ireland, no matter where it originated, is a rare thing.

Oddly enough, the registration plate on this Pastel Green (L51) Beetle reads 50 LM 3 but that is apparently a show plate only as the real registration number is 50 LM 3003. The original steering wheel is no longer there sadly but in its place is an Oval era wheel. The bumpers have been painted black and the wing beading has been replaced with white beading to personalise this Split for the owner.

This is a lovely stock and original looking Split Beetle and one we would all be so happy to have in our collection. Congratulations and best of luck to the owner and we look forward to seeing this County Leitrim registered Split in the metal at some other shows in the future.

Thanks as always to Noah Ryan, a young man who is passionate about old aircooled VWs and their history. Noah is gathering and submitting listings for the Beetle.ie Census faster than we can upload them but that’s a great complaint to have! Fair play Noah!

Thanks also to Mikey Lawless who emailed in two photos of this Split Beetle after he saw it at the same show.

Submitted by: Noah Ryan

Additional Photos