Last Volkswagen Beetle built in South Africa restored

Volkswagen has restored the last Beetle ever built in its manufacturing plant in Uitenhage. The Beetle was practically destroyed in a vehicle carrier accident in 2006.

The metallic bronze Beetle represents the last of 288 353 Beetles built in Uitenhage from 31 August 1951 to 18 January 1979. It was never used and lived in the Volkswagen museum – now the AutoPavilion. It only had 200km on the clock when the accident happened on its way from a show in Cape Town in November 2006. The vehicle carrier overturned and nine of the AutoPavilion’s best historic cars were destroyed.

“Being such a special vehicle, the “last Beetle” was restored over a period of two years to ensure that it returned to its former glory. We are very pleased that it has once again taken its proud place at the AutoPavilion,” explained Johan Wagner, Manager of Volkswagen’s AutoPavillion.

Wagner added: “All the mechanicals and most of the interior from the original car could still be used. They were then transferred to another body of the same era. The original car was loaded with luxury features not found on any of the models which preceded it. It was built with most of the luxury features of the higher specification and limited edition 1600’s like the Fun Bug, Lux Bug, Jeans Bug and Snug Bug.”

Some of its special features include Bilboa cloth upholstery, black fender spats, a special gearlever knob, taper-tip exhaust pipes, a centre tunnel console, a cigarette lighter and Rostyle wheel rims. It was also sprayed in a special bronze metallic paint.

The Beetle had a production run in South Africa spanning almost 28 years, 11 of which were as the country’s top selling car. Testimony to its build quality and reliability is the fact that so many can still be seen on our roads today.

Wagner concluded: “The story of the Beetle’s success in South Africa and worldwide cannot be told in these few lines. The last Beetle has a plaque on the dash which reads, “The Legend Lives On”. Looking around, you will agree, it certainly does.”

The 21st Century Beetle will be introduced locally towards the end of the year.