1970 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 Semi-Automatic

- Rare semi-automatic stickshift version
- Attractive houndstooth trim
- An unusual piece of the Beetle story
- 17.900 km on the odometer
- Offered without any registration document

Please kindly note that this car will be available for viewing by prior appointment in DORTMUND(GERMANY): please contact [email protected] for booking.

By 1970 the Volkswagen Beetle had been in production for over 25 years, yet it was at the peak of its popularity, with over 1.2 million Beetles being built every year. Key to this success was a careful evolution in keeping with customer tastes, and in 1968 Volkswagen introduced its innovative two-pedal semi-automatic Beetle, named the Automatic Stickshift. Similar in concept to Porsche's Sportomatic of the same era, a torque convertor and servo-operated automatic clutch unit allow the driver to operate a conventional-looking gearstick without the use of a clutch pedal. There is a low ratio gear for hill starts, with only two speeds utilised in regular driving. Using the torque converter to provide slip, first takes the Beetle from rest to 85 km/h, with a second highway gear for cruising. Despite being technically interesting the Stickshift was perceived as more of a gimmick, with low sales in period leading to rarity today. Despite foreshadowing the brilliant DSG automated manuals that Volkswagen is famous for today, the two-pedal Beetle was discontinued in 1975.

This 1970 example, finished in yellow, is fitted with the rare semi-automatic transmission paired with a 1300 cc engine. While it has been carefully maintained over the years in the owner's professional garage, it has spent recent years on static display and will require recommissioning before returning to the road. Please note that it is not accompanied by any registration documents.