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
- 767 DIU
- (a) Type:
- Type 1
- (b) Year:
- 1976
- (c) Colour:
- Miami Blue
- (d) Paint code:
- L51C
- (e) Engine CCs:
- 1300
History
- (a) Country of origin:
- Ireland
- (b) County first reg'd:
- Limerick County
- (c) Current or last known location:
- Limerick County
Model information
1303 Beetle
Info
This is a car I personally remember from my school days because a classmate of mine was collected by his grandmother in her 1303 every day. I was always very jealous of Peter being collected in such a cool and well cared for Beetle. The photo showing the rear of the Beetle was taken by me while I sat nervously in my mother’s old Ford Escort while she was at a parent teachers meeting…….but that’s another story and one I’d probably prefer to forget!
Destination Adare is a great Facebook group for those lucky enough to call the picturesque and historic village of Adare in County Limerick home but it is also a great source of information for those looking to find out more about this stunning location.
Adare is also where my classmate Peter Meighan and his granny called home and it was through this group that I was able to obtain another photo of this Beetle from Lee Harrington. I also discovered how well known 767 DIU was and more importantly just how admired Biddy Fitzgibbon was in the community spirited village of Adare as the following comments from the group shows:
Lee Harrington: This was an iconic car in the 80/90s in Adare. Biddy Fitzgibbon’s 767 DIU taken across from where the heritage centre is now.
Elizabeth McAuliffe: I knew it well. Local taxi service in Adare before Mike Leonard took over…..Biddy was always available for anyone who wanted to go anywhere. We called it the “Bluebird”
Pauline Leahy: Sat n de bak many time.but always felt sick.as de engine was n de bak
Bernie Madden: Remember it well, aunty biddy loved that car,
Sarah Reale Flynn: My sister took a trip in this car to the hospital after stepping on a sewing needle, Biddy was so good to run them in, a good neighbour.
Cath O’Neill: I remember it. Biddy lived across the road
Denise Darcy: I’m from Patrickswell and I remember that car
Mary O’Grady: Remember it well when biddy came to visit nana
The Beetle itself was a standard 1303 Beetle with a 1300cc engine. It was finished in Miami Blue (L51C). It was purchased from Frank Hogan’s VW Dealership in Limerick in October 1976 and was registered on the 10th of the month, receiving its Limerick County registration number 767 DIU. I remember that 767 DIU had also been ordered with some choice accessories such as pop-out windows in the rear, engine lid vent trims, rear window vent trims and a radio, all of which helped this Miami Blue Beetle to stand out from the crowd.
Thanks to Lee Harrington and everyone in Adare for your contributions.
Additional Photos
