1978 Volkswagen Beetle Last Edition (LEB)

The Volkswagen Beetle enjoyed staggering success for many years, and in 1972 became the best-selling car to date, with total production worldwide exceeding 15,000,000 vehicles. However, by that time, the Beetle was starting to seem dated compared with much of the modern competition and sales were flagging. In an attempt to maintain interest, Volkswagen produced numerous special edition models during the final years of European production. These included the Jeans Beetle, City Beetle, Sun Bug and Marathon Beetle, to name just a few. Despite these efforts, the Beetle was now effectively past its 'sell-by-date' with sales continuing to decline and the last European-built car left the production line in Emden, Germany on the 19th January 1978, immediately taking early retirement in the Wolfsburg Auto Museum. In 1978, to mark the occasion, the final run of 300 German-manufactured right-hand drive Beetles were all finished in the very special Diamond Silver (L97A) paint colour; they were also all fitted with a 1,200cc engine (the most famous of all), blue-corded velour trim, a flat windscreen (as a nod to the past), heated rear window, fresh air blower and a handbrake dash-light. Finally, a dashboard-mounted plaque stated the vehicle's number in the sequence.

The car presented here, example #111, is known throughout the VW owners club and features on the official LEB register. Reading an unwarranted mileage of just over 10,000, #111 was the subject of a sympathetic restoration between 2011-2013 and is in lovely condition. The Jubilee Silver paintwork is bright, and the interior is immaculate. All brightwork and chrome are 'as new', the glass is original and the engine bay is tidy. The car has formed part of a small private Collection since 2015, being driven only occasionally, MOT’d and maintained well and several invoices detailing expenditure and a 2015 service by respected VW specialist ‘Veedubs’ are present in the accompanying history file. 

The LEB was produced in smaller numbers than any previous special-edition Beetle and, in our opinion, is a very significant collector's car or would make an ideal first classic for an enthusiast at a most reasonable outlay.