1974 VW Beetle - 1303 (1200) Cabriolet

A guarantee for a good summer

With the consignor for over ten years

Italian economy-specification model

Regularly serviced

The history of the open Beetle stretches back to 1936, when Karmann built its first prototypes based on the KdF-Wagen. During the war years, a handful of one-offs were built by Autenrieth, before series production finally began at Karmann in 1949. At the same time, Hebmüller tried its hand at a small series of two-seaters, an adventure brought to a swift end by fire and insolvency. Karmann, however, remained Wolfsburg’s trusted partner for decades, accompanying the Beetle through every stage of its evolution.

In 1972, the line reached its final stage of development: the VW 1303. Most obvious were the larger, now curved windscreen and the substantial rear lights. Originally developed with stricter American safety regulations in mind – regulations that never came into force – they gave the Beetle a new face. At the rear, the familiar engines remained, with the S package bringing the 1.6-litre unit with 50 bhp. Inside, the L package added more comfort; combining the two resulted in the LS specification typically found on the Cabriolet. A new rack-and-pinion steering system soon replaced the old steering box.

Italy received a version of its own. The Maggiolino could be had either with 1,200 cc and 34 bhp or with 1,300 cc and 44 bhp, drum brakes all round and reduced equipment – easier on tax and insurance, but still with all the charm of an open Beetle.

While saloon production in Germany ended in 1975, the Cabriolets continued to roll out of Osnabrück. The Golf Cabriolet was waiting in the wings, yet demand for the old favourite refused to disappear. When the end was finally announced in 1979, one last rush of orders followed.

This Beetle Cabriolet is one such Italian-market Maggiolino. In 2015, its current owner brought it from Italy to Austria and registered it the following year. Since then, the black Beetle has accompanied him regularly through the summer months. In 2019, the Volkswagen was treated to a major service. Along with fresh fluids, it received new front wheel bearings and a complete overhaul of the braking system. And only this year, the clutch was renewed, the crankshaft endplay adjusted and the carburettor overhauled.

A Volkswagen Cabriolet may not be the fastest way through summer, but it is almost certainly one of the most charming. This one should have little trouble proving the point again next summer.