Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 18: 1978 Volkswagen 1200 Beetle at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle is with its third owner since import; it has not run for about 15 years and has been kept in dry storage; it is on a Last Edition Beetle register; and it has documentation from new.
What to check on any Volkswagen Beetle (1953 to 1980 in the UK)
- The body bolts to a separate platform chassis, so a rotten floor can be replaced, but the sills and heater channels are the critical area.
- Ask for the engine to be started from cold and watch the exhaust.
- Ask whether the car jumps out of gear on the overrun. A vague or obstructive change is often just the linkage, but it can disguise worn synchromesh.
- Standard cars use torsion bars at both ends with a swing axle at the rear.
- Wiring is simple, so faults are usually down to age, corroded connections or poor additions.
- Check that the chassis number on the car agrees with the V5C and that the year and specification fit the details of the body.
Full Volkswagen Beetle (1953 to 1980 in the UK) buyer's guide
Checks for this car
- Plan for full recommissioning.
- Check the heater channels, floor pans and spring plate mounts.
- Confirm the Last Edition claim with the register and the paperwork.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- Which register lists it as a Last Edition car, and can I see the entry?
- What was done before it went into storage?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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