1978 | Volkswagen Coccinelle 1303 LS

“The Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet – happiness comes standard.”

A Volkswagen Beetle hardly needs an introduction. The Cabriolet even less so. This is the car that first caught the sun’s rays back in 1948 and went into serious production at Karmann from 1949 onward. A true four-seat convertible that is not only iconic, but also surprisingly accessible. And more importantly: a car that automatically puts a smile on people’s faces.

The car presented here is a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle 1303 LS Cabriolet. This particular Beetle was owned for many years by its last keeper and was properly restored around fifteen years ago. Not an over-restoration, no unnecessary gloss or theatrics — simply done the way it should be. Since then, it has only been used occasionally for pleasure drives. No daily commuting. No winter salt. No rushing. And it shows.

The paint immediately tells the story. A deep, even shine, no distracting damage, and an appearance that suggests this was never “just a car,” but a cherished companion. The body is straight, the familiar rounded fenders remain beautifully shaped, and all doors, the engine lid and front trunk close exactly as Volkswagen intended: solid, precise and drama-free.

Inside, the same story continues effortlessly. The black vinyl upholstery looks as if it was fitted yesterday, the dashboard is in excellent condition, and the carpets, door panels and switches clearly show a life free from abuse. Everything feels tidy, correct and simply… pleasant.

And then there is the driving experience — where the Beetle has always excelled. Yes, it’s not fast. And no, it will never be quiet. But with the roof down, four seats at your disposal and the unmistakable air-cooled rhythm of the 1600 cc flat-four behind you, none of that matters anymore. The 50 horsepower does its job willingly, the four-speed manual gearbox shifts as it should, and even the soft-top itself is in excellent condition.

Everything about this car feels honest. Mechanically sound, well maintained, and ready to be enjoyed without worry.

This is not a car to impress the neighbours. This is a car to use. Alone, with your partner on a summer evening, or with the whole family heading out for an ice cream. And truth be told — very few classics do that better than a Beetle Cabriolet.