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
- PZT 676
- (a) Type:
- Type 1
- (b) Year:
- 1973
- (c) Colour:
- Texas Yellow
- (d) Paint code:
- L10B
- (e) Engine CCs:
- 1300
History
- (a) Country of origin:
- Ireland
- (b) County first reg'd:
- Cork
- (c) Current or last known location:
- Cork
Model information
1300 Beetle Deluxe
Info
Two photos of the same Beetle were submitted within days of each other so we have Roger O’Sullivan & Nicholas Canham to thank for their photos and information.
The Beetle they both photographed was PZT 676, a Cork registered 1300 Deluxe model. Roger photographed it in Gougane Barra at the St.Patrick’s Day parade in 2009 while Nicholas snapped the Bug in The Farm in Grenagh, County Cork not so long ago.
We’re delighted to see that this Beetle hasn’t been left outside in the elements and is indoors. It’s on display in this farm which is open to the public so perhaps the next generation will get to see a car that was not only the main family transport but was a work van, tractor and everything else in between for many farming families in Ireland for decades.
This 1300 Beetle Deluxe was assembled in Dublin in late 1972 and was sent to Harry O’Sullivan’s VW dealership in Fermoy, County Cork to be sold. The first owner was based in Cork, hence the ZT registration.
UPDATE Beetle.ie December 2023: We love when we get updates on old VWs that we have listed and this update comes from the new owner, Graham Coleman. Graham tells us that we were incorrect in saying that the Beetle was being stored indoors at the farm for a long period when unfortunately, the truth is that it did not stay indoors for too long at all. The Beetle was being stored indoors at the farm but the owners decided to take it on a vintage run. The day was wet and as such, the inside of the glass fogged up but with no heat pipes in place, they could not clear any of the glass. As a result, they just didn’t enjoy the driving experience and almost instantly lost interest in their Beetle. It was then parked outside their facility for 6 years until Graham eventually bought it in the summer of 2023, after what was a long time asking if the owners would sell the Beetle. Graham has started to investigate the condition of the body and as you would expect, its outdoor stay did not do it any favours, with the main one being the dreaded death foam rot by the crescent vents. Graham has booked the Beetle in for a full restoration in February 2024 and we will wait patiently for update pictures so keep an eye on this listing. Graham has also started some of the home restoration jobs, the first one being the restoration of the original number plates that were fitted just before the Beetle was driven away from Harry O’Sullivan’s VW dealership in Fermoy by its first owner. Quite an achievement for the number plates to have survived this long so they will add to this Beetle’s history when fitted back on the Beetle. Well done graham for taking on this challenging restoration and we wish you the best of luck. Graham also sent us some photos that include the Lord Mayor with the Beetle a number of years ago before Graham purchased it.
Submitted by: Graham Coleman (Roger O'Sullivan & Nicholas Canham)
Additional Photos
