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
- 6958 IM
- (a) Type:
- Type 1
- (b) Year:
- 1977
- (c) Colour:
- Turquoise front, fading into navy on the rear
- (d) Paint code:
- Non VW
- (e) Engine CCs:
- 1200
History
- (a) Country of origin:
- Ireland
- (b) County first reg'd:
- Galway
- (c) Current or last known location:
- Clare
Model information
1200 Beetle Deluxe
Info
This Beetle has all the looks of a late 1980’s / early 1990’s custom creation. This was a time in the Irish Volkswagen scene where creativity was fueled by very modest budgets, a limited supply of older VWs to modify and of course, a shortage of aftermarket parts suppliers. The parts suppliers were growing in numbers but heavy government driven taxes meant that they were finding it difficult to buy in stock from outside Ireland, which meant that the consumers either had to pay up for parts or become creative. Thankfully, there was a healthy mix of both but many cars were customised in an eye-catching, but budget friendly manner like this Beetle.
This style was of its time, a time when people went out and enjoyed their aircooled Volkswagens for what they were and not what they wish they were. Most enthusiasts didn’t worry too much about having the latest magazine promoted product because financially it wasn’t really an option. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of people wanted those parts and managed to get around the system and brought parts in, by post, filling their suitcases on the way back from holidays in the UK or the US or perhaps taking a trip to the North of Ireland in the hope that Customs wouldn’t spot you on the way home! If you wanted the parts, you would get them!
Having been in the scene back then as a teenager with high hopes, a rusty project Beetle and zero funds, I enjoyed seeing all kinds of Beetles at shows and could aspire to almost all of these Beetles. Nothing was out of reach and there was a sense of fun in the scene.
This 90’s throwback Beetle wasn’t always modified. It was brought in by MDL as an FBU or Fully Built Up unit towards the end of production in 1977. The Beetle was finished in Miami Blue (L51C) and was sent to T Bannerton & Sons VW dealership in Ballinasloe, County Galway on October 12th, where it sat on the forecourt for only days before being snapped up by a local owner. The Beetle was given the Galway registration 6958-IM and was first registered on October 20th 1977.
I am sure that for the next 10+ years it was used locally as it was meant to be used before it was bought by someone who probably wanted to make it their own, with unique custom touches. The body was painted in a two-tone colour scheme; turquoise on the front, fading into navy. The original wheels were replaced with a set of EMPI 8 spokes and to help the driver see where they were going, a set of spotlights were fitted to the front bumper brackets. The interior was refreshed with new upholstery as well as an updated stereo.
Front and rear stone guards were fitted to the wings, a chrome bonnet vent trim was fitted, as were the finger plates to the door and bonnet handle. To add just a little more bling to this Beetle, the crescent vents behind the passenger windows were replaced with vent covers from the 1971/2 model year which came with an aluminium trim. The front number plate also received a chrome effect number plate surround.
We last saw this Beetle when it was for sale in County Clare back in 2018, ironically, in October, 40 years to the month after it was originally sold. The price at the time was €4,000.
Additional Photos
