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
- OIZ 895
- (a) Type:
- Type 1
- (b) Year:
- 1965
- (c) Colour:
- Java Green
- (d) Paint code:
- L518
- (e) Engine CCs:
- 1200
History
- (a) Country of origin:
- Ireland
- (b) County first reg'd:
- Mayo
- (c) Current or last known location:
- Mayo
Model information
1200 Beetle Deluxe
Info
Along the way, we find that some of our photos gel with some of your photos and this is one such example. Roger O’Sullivan sent me the photo of OIZ 895 that was taken in Leenane, County Galway in 2000 and as soon as I saw the car and the registration, I knew I had it on file. I had taken the ‘awaiting restoration’ photos in 2019 and although it looks forlorn it’s not too bad. This Irish assembled Java Green (L518) Beetle was relatively complete and although it would take a big commitment from its owner to see the restoration through, the end result would be worth it. Ask any owner of a Java Green Beetle and they will tell you that this is the best colour EVER on a Beetle. Can we disagree with them? Not really because it is stunning in all lights.
This particular Beetle was assembled in Dublin during the summer of 1965. The bodyshell was painted, as we know, in Java Green before a new 1200cc engine was fitted. The 1200 Beetle Deluxe then went through a quality inspection check at the end of the assembly line and was given the green light, no pun intended, to be released to its selling dealer, Cathal Duffy in Mayo.
Cathal had the Beetle brought to his dealership where it went through a pre delivery inspection before being registered immediately for its new owner. This owner was based in County Mayo hence the IZ registration. As was often the case back in those days, this Beetle didn’t stray too far from Mayo home during its life but we do know that it went across the border into Galway for a period as Roger O’Sullivan captured it during its time as a daily driver back in 2000. Roger’s photo was taken in Leenane, County Galway, and shows OIZ 895 looking quite good for a car that was 35 years old at the time. I’m sure up close it would tell a different tale but let’s face it, it was still on the road and being used daily, was carrying bags of turf in the back seat and was certainly not a show car which is a testament to the quality and durability of old Beetles.
Let’s just hope that this 1965 Beetle will see the inside of the restoration shop very soon so we can all enjoy this 60’s Java Green Beetle in all its glory.
If you have an old photo why not send it in and you never know, we may have a ‘then’ or even a ‘now’ photo on file to complete the story.
Submitted by: Cathal O'Toole & Roger O'Sullivan
Additional Photos
