Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet | 1969

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet | 1969

Highlights:

– 1.5-litre air-cooled flat-four engine, petrol, 4-speed manual transmission

– Same private owner for the past sixteen years

– Straight bodywork with no signs of rust or previous welding

– Cabriolet body finished in a pale green-grey with cream interior trim

The seller offers for sale this 1969 Volkswagen Beetle 1500, powered by a 1.5-litre air-cooled flat-four engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Finished in a pale green-grey over a cream interior with a black soft top, this Beetle Cabriolet has been with the same private owner for the past sixteen years and is described as a straight example. The car retains its original-style chrome bumpers, hubcaps and badging, including the VW 1500 script on the engine lid, and presents with a tidy, uncluttered cabin trimmed in cream vinyl.

The soft top folds neatly behind the rear seats, and the front luggage compartment houses the space-saver spare wheel, as is typical of the model. Beneath the rear deck sits the type 1 air-cooled engine, easily accessible for maintenance in the traditional Beetle fashion, and the car is offered with its dashboard-mounted period-style radio still fitted.

Few cars in automotive history carry the cultural weight of the Volkswagen Beetle. Conceived in the 1930s and built in ever-growing numbers through the post-war decades, the rear-engined, air-cooled Beetle became the best-selling car of its era and a genuine icon of twentieth-century design. The Cabriolet version, built in cooperation with the coachbuilder Karmann from 1949 onwards, added a fully lined, manually operated soft top and reinforced sills to compensate for the loss of the fixed roof, and remained in production alongside the saloon for decades, making it one of the longest-running convertible models ever offered by a mainstream manufacturer.

By 1969, the Beetle had grown in both engine capacity and refinement compared with its early post-war ancestors, with this example fitted with the 1.5-litre engine and a fully synchronised gearbox for relaxed, modern-feeling driving. The simple, air-cooled mechanicals, favourable weight distribution and low centre of gravity give the Beetle Cabriolet its characterful, engaging feel behind the wheel, while the open top makes it a particularly appealing way to enjoy classic motoring. With its long-term ownership history and straight bodywork, this Beetle Cabriolet presents an attractive opportunity for a well-documented, usable classic.

Condition of the bodywork & paint

4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.

Condition of the interior

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

Technical condition

4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.

Overall condition

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.

We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.

All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.

Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.

This car is currently located in: Indre-et-Loire department, France.

This car drives, brakes and shifts.

The car has a UK registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.

The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.

Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.

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