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
- 70 D 802
- (a) Type:
- Type 1
- (b) Year:
- 1970
- (c) Colour:
- Red
- (d) Paint code:
- ?
- (e) Engine CCs:
- 1600
History
- (a) Country of origin:
- United Kingdom
- (b) County first reg'd:
- Dublin
- (c) Current or last known location:
- Dublin
Model information
1500 Beetle Deluxe
Info
This 1500 was originally owned by my elderly cousin who bought it in 1993 for £2,250 in Dublin. The original 1500 engine and ‘box didn’t last too long as my cousin had a heavy right foot and ended killing them but luckily for me a VEGE engine and a GT Beetle ‘box found their way in. All of this extra power might have been the reason he was still getting speeding tickets into his 90’s.
I bought the Beetle in October 2009 after his death. I was 19 and the drive home was my first time behind the wheel of an aircooled Beetle. It was great fun with squeaky brakes, spluttering carb and crossply tyres.
I probably should have just driven the car as it was but I decided a quick respray was needed. Sadly, there was more chance of my cousin rising from the dead than this being a quick respray. I can’t weld so I sent the 1500 to VW Spares for a full body-off restoration. I wanted to keep it stock, well, stock as I got it for sentimental reasons so the original colour went back on as did the Marathon rims that were fitted at some point. I even went and sourced a NOS set of centre caps but after driving it like that for two years I decided I needed to put my own stamp on it and with that I fitted a narrowed and adjustable beam and lowered the back by two splines. Off came the Marathon rims and in their place went some 914 replica rims from VW Heritage. The car feels totally different with that change but it’s still great fun to drive. The interior has been upholstered to compliment the exterior colour but I am hoping to fit original highback seats in black with matching door cards.
Submitted by: Mikey Lawless
Additional Photos
