Forty-five years after the break-up of the Fab Four, beetle mania has once again returned to West Yorkshire.
But this time it’s the iconic motor vehicle that’s causing the excitement – thanks to a private collection of 13 classic VW beetles now on sale through an online auction website.
The unique collection of cars – dating from 1970 to 1981 – has been assembled over many years by Batley-based motor mechanic Rolf Gardener, who says he will be sorry to see them go.
“I used to repair beetles for other owners and then ended up buying those that came up for sale,” he said.
“I will be sad to part with them because they have given me a huge amount of pleasure. My main wish now is that they all go to good homes.”
Among the collection is an assortment of customised beetles, including one decked out as the famous Herbie from Disney’s film The Love Bug.
There’s also a beetle painted in bumble bee yellow and black stripes as well as one in shocking pink.
A number of restored vehicles, barn finds, dust covered vehicles and Volkswagen camper vans also form part of the sale.
Richard Temple, associate director at Leeds-based Eddisons, the firm handling the online auction, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for beetle enthusiasts everywhere to get their hands on one of the most famous cars ever to grace our roads.”
Other vehicles being offered in the auction include a Volkswagen 181 Kubelwagen/Trekker, which was first registered in 1974 and has fewer than 6,000 miles on the clock; a Bond Bug, which is a small two-seat three-wheeled microcar; an MG BGT sports car; and a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II.
A 1936 Ariel 350cc and Jawa motorbike, two tandem bicycles and a range of vehicle parts are also available.
The sale is now live here and bidding closes at 10am on Wednesday, June 3.
BEETLE FACTS
The VW beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche with the first prototypes taking to Germany’s autobahns in 1935
The development of the “people’s car” was supported by Adolf Hitler who specified that it should be able to carry two adults and three children at a speed of 60mph with at least 33 miles per gallon
The two-seater convertible beetle went into production in 1949 and more than 700 of these were built
In 1972, the beetle overtook Ford’s model T as the most popular car ever made
German production of the beetle finally ended in 1980 but continued at assembly plants around the world
The 20m millionth beetle rolled off the production line at a factory in Mexico in May, 1981
