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Old 1st July 2019, 14:52   #1
KPS
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Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

This thread on “Kaizer”, my 1967 Beetle VW1300, is dedicated to my wonderful wife Dr. Smitha, who has been my major support in this crazy hobby of owning, preserving, restoring and use of vintage & classic cars. I would be failing if I do not mention the first Owner Ms. Mary Bradsley of Bristol UK, who imported this car in 1967, whilst she was with Thiruvalla Medical Mission as the second person this thread is dedicated.

This is my first German car and I thought “Kaizer”, a name which has always fascinated me, meaning Emperor in German, is apt for this car.

Over the years of owning, restoring and using vintage and classic cars, the Beetle was never something I considered having in my collection. Whenever an opportunity to buy a V & C came, decisions were defined by the marque, body style, ownership history, originality, current condition, documents available and lastly the possible buying and restoration cost. After this, a check on the possible sale value for a same but pristine car would help me decide if it was worth committing for this opportunity

Over the last 10 years, I have bought 3 cars where the points mentioned above played an important role in me going ahead with their acquisition. Invariably all these cars were in long term ownership and for the seller, money was not the primary motivation.

More details of these cars are in the TBHP links, as below
1932 Plymouth (1932 Plymouth PB Seven Passenger Delux Sedan), which remains with me
1954 Dodge (Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible), which has been sold on
1947 Daimler (Daimler Tales - 1947 Daimler DB18 Luxury Saloon), which remains with me

We have an internal rule of only two cars, as parking is a premium at home. So when we did find a better car, one of the cars in garage has to go. For example, when I acquired the Ex-Mysore Daimler DB18, I let go of the Dodge Convertible, even though the family had a lot of history with the car. So over the years we have rotated cars only with the intention to upgrade.

Mass produced cars like Fiats, Ambassadors and Beetles were never planned, as with only two parking slots at home, there was no scope to expand. Secondly to get a very original, preservation class, in long term ownership and at the same time something unique amongst such mass produced cars, was like finding a needle in the hay stack.

However, when we formed the Bangalore Classic Drivers Group for local V&C drives and also when KVCCC starting to do drives and breakfast meets for members, the need for a more regular classic car was felt. The Plymouth is not suited for such drives and the Daimler is still under restoration, so I had to borrow someone’s car or hop in as a passenger at these drives. Additionally, these drives are fun and casual, so it better to have a regular classic car which one can park on the roadside and not worry too much about it. Lastly, I had acquired an additional parking space, so I kept my mind open for a good car, should an opportunity come by me.

It all started with me getting news from my good Keralite friend that a very original 1967 Beetle VW1300, in long term ownership, may be available for sale. Normally, Beetles are well mapped by the VW enthusiasts, but when I did check with a VW expert in Bangalore, he was not aware of this car. This meant that the car has not been in regular use and hence out of the radar of the many VW enthusiasts. This was good news, as it was outside the radar of any potential buyer, except my friend who having handed over the details to me, stepped back to allow me to close the deal independently.

Did some research on the 1967 VW1300 using Google baba and the results were very encouraging. The 1966-67 VW1300 is a very collectible model and is considered the sportiest Beetle ever.

Quote:
The 1966 1300 had by far the biggest one-time jump in power, a whopping 25%, from 40/34 hp (gross/net), to 50! (44 net) Wow; ten additional ponies; we couldn’t believe it. That was suddenly good for a solid 80-82 mph top speed. And acceleration was dramatically improved. 0 – 50 now came in only 14.5 seconds, and 0-60 in about 22. In today’s standards, that’s laughable. But it was quite close to what a 1960 Falcon did, with twice the engine (2.4 L) and almost twice the horsepower (90). Another way to look at it was that the new 1300 had the exact same horsepower that the Porsche 356 1300 did just about a decade earlier.
OK, before you VW fans jump on me and point out that the very next year, the 1500 motor was introduced with 53 hp, and by 1970, the 1600 twin port hit the power zenith with 60 hp, here’s the key difference: gearing, and engine tuning. The 1300 used the 1200’s lower (higher numerical) axle gearing, but the engine had a big jump in peak power rpm, from 3900 (1200) to 4600 (1300).
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbs...e-of-them-all/
Other points that I could gather on the 1967 model year shows 44 pages of discussion on the one year stuff on a 1967
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/vi...r=asc&start=20

Euro Spec vs US Spec
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/ar...-379022--.html

Clearly the 1967 has a major following amongst the VW enthusiasts, who can point out many more one-year-only stuff. However, as per me a non-beetle fanatic, the important changes were
  1. Availability of the 1300 CC engine in 1966 and 1500 CC engine in 1967
  2. 12V option being introduced in late 1967
  3. Wider suspension track
  4. Change in headlight design resulting in significant change in the front fender

Open to correction by the purist!

The 1300 engine, not only is it sporty, it is also more frugal than the 1500 engine.

From the 1967 manual one can see the speed ranges these three models can be pushed in the respective gears
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image1.jpeg

Clearly the VW1300's gears can be pushed close to the VW1500's specifications

This is reflected in the speeds as seen below
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-manual.jpg

Clearly 15% boost in power does not reflect in the speeds and that is why a 1967 VW1300 is more desirable being sporty and frugal as compared to the VW1500


Cheers

KPS

Last edited by KPS : 7th July 2019 at 15:18. Reason: Updating
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Old 1st July 2019, 15:03   #2
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Did a quick check in TBHP and not to my surprise found that a match The 1967 Beetle VW1300 from Cochin posted by JayD on 28th June 2009, almost 10 years back, was the car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayD View Post
Saw this well maintained beetle in Cochin recently. Seemed well cared for with a lot of original fittings.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-jayd1.jpg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-jayd2.jpg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-jayd3.jpg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-jayd4.jpg



Sent these pictures of the car to my VW expert in Bangalore, he again confirmed that if this is the car, it has been out of the radar of the VW enthusiasts.

Did some search on the owner and google baba did throw this exciting article from The Hindu, about their house and the beetle too did get a mention!

Quote:
The aerial view of the house from The Hindu
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-hindu.jpg

'Long ago, Anil says, a tractor used to be parked outside the house. It was used in the family’s agricultural land in the outskirts of the city. Today, however, there is a nifty, vintage Beetle sitting in one of the car sheds. “There used to be Dodge before the Beetle. My father takes this one out for a spin every Sunday.”

Source
Spoke to the owner and expressed my desire to buy the car. Having understood the current owners background I was very sure that money would not the motivation to sell the car. He was very interested in knowing my back ground, my passion of V & C cars, if I did plan to keep or trade the car and so on . He did not want to sell this car to any broker. He wanted this car to go a person who will care for it with same passion in which he maintained this car, in the 25 years of his ownership. After he understood my background he agreed to sell the car at a price at which we both though was very fair. He could easily asked for a higher price, but being a gentleman he did not change his mind.

I went to Kochi at the earliest opportunity and closed out the purchased and took immediate deliver.

My first look at the car. She was a beauty.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-1.jpeg

The owner had kept everything ready! Profusely thanked the owner for agreeing to sell this very original car to me. I told him that I considered myself very fortunate to get this car and he readily agreed.

In 60 minutes collected the amazing paperwork(more later) and was able to take delivery. The owner watched with some sadness as I drove the car out of the gates of the magnificent house, waving him bye.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-3.jpeg

Drove the car to my friends place and parked the same till I could complete the transfer paperwork. Since it was towards the end of March’19 and elections were in full swing, I wanted the transport the car only after getting the NOC. Fortunately all the documents were update to date including, Fitness, emission, insurance etc. The NOC was obtained without much trouble. Post the national elections, the plan was to transport the car to Bangalore.

The car parked at my friends place.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-2.jpeg

The car has done 81169 miles!
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-4.jpeg

I proudly stand as the new owner!
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image2.jpeg

Almost 10 years later, JayD captures the pictures of the car again! He had posted in picture on TBHP on June'09 and this picture is in March'19! Glad that it was him who was the first to spot the car.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image1.jpeg

Spoke to JayD and confirmed that I had purchased the car. He was pleasantly surprised, as he was of the opinion the current owner would never let go of this original car and that it was in his ownership for about 25 years. He was happy that this wonderful car had found a good home with me.

Cheers

KPS

Last edited by KPS : 7th July 2019 at 09:42.
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Old 4th July 2019, 11:08   #3
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Normally it is very difficult to trace ownership with proper documentation for V & C cars, as they tend to have multiple owners over a period of time. Paperwork is normally lost when ownership changes.

In the case of this car, all the paperwork was intact. We could trace the car from the time it arrived in the UK to its ownership history in India

The car arrives in UK from Germany on 30th Dec 1966. Original colour is Java Green
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image4.jpeg

PDI of the car done on 3rd January 1967
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image1.jpeg

Certificate that the car was manufactured in Germany
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image3.jpeg

The actual invoice of the car! Note the UK Registration No. QK 9701.

Cost of the car GBP 470, CIF Cochin was GBP125
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image2.jpeg

Car dispatched to India on 22nd Feb 1967
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image5.jpeg

Release of Customs Bond after 10 years of ownership
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image6.jpeg


Date of Arrival in India is 27th Nov 1967
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2-1.jpeg

The summary of ownership of the car is as below

Shipping from Germany to UK - 30th December 1966
PDI at UK Dealership - 3rd January 1967
Date of dispatch to India - 22nd February 1967
Date of Delivery in India - 27th November 1967
Date of Registration in India - 13th December 1967
Ist Owner : Ms. Mary Bradsley, School of Nursing, Thiruvalla Medical Mission, 1967-1982 (15 years)
2nd Owner :Superintendent Thiruvalla Medical Mission, 1982-1986 (4 years)
3rd Owner : 1986 -1993(7 years)
4th Owner : 1993-2019 (26 years)
5th Owner : 2019 - KPS



After the elections in Kerala, I shipped the vehicle out of Cochin
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2-2.jpeg

The vehicle left Cochin at 7 pm in the evening
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2-6.jpeg

Much to my surprised the car arrived home the next morning before 7 am, less than 12 hours! Since the paper work was up- to- date, there was no major hassles at the check posts.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2-3.jpeg

Since the Daimler is away, Kaizer gets to be parked next to the Plymouth
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2-5.jpeg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2-4.jpeg



Cheers

KPS

Last edited by KPS : 8th July 2019 at 07:11. Reason: Updating
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Old 4th July 2019, 20:11   #4
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

The previous owner had saved up all the past maintenance related papers connected to the car. The records show that all the past owners had maintained the car very well.

Bills from 1980 shows that the Medical Mission did maintain the car well. Before they sold the car, they had done major maintenance work.

Repair bills from 1980
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2.0.jpeg


Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2.1.jpeg

Note the Rubbing and Polishing from an established garage was Rs. 50!
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-2.2.jpeg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-1.jpeg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-3.jpeg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-5.jpeg

Major work was done in 1983 by the Medical Mission.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-2.jpeg

Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-1-4.jpeg

In 1993, the 3rd owner wrote this note while handing over the car to the 4th owner. Please note that in 1986, when the 3rd owner bought the the car, it had run 61680 miles!
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-3.0.jpeg


Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-3.1.jpeg

6V Battery Bill with warranty
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-3.2.jpeg

The collection of Manuals, Parts Book etc, the previous owner was kind enough to handover to me.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-image1.jpeg

Currently will are doing all necessary mechanical works, so as to drive this car around and have fun. I would like to revert back to the original Java Green colour and do a complete restoration, probably a project to be done in 2020 .

Bhpian thebulletboy is my VW Guru, he will support me in my journey with Kaizer! It will also be wonderful if he being a VW enthusiast, could detail this car on this thread with respect to its originality and also the work done on the car.

thebulleyboy drives the car off for mechanical work and detailing.
Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300-4.jpeg

Thanks for reading.

KPS

Last edited by KPS : 8th July 2019 at 07:32. Reason: updating
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Old 8th July 2019, 07:51   #5
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Classic Car Section. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 8th July 2019, 10:30   #6
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
The previous owner had saved up all the past maintenance related papers connected to the car. The records show that all the past owners had maintained the car very well.

Bills from 1980 shows that the Medical Mission did maintain the car well. Before they sold the car, they had done major maintenance work.


Thanks for reading.

KPS
Many congratulations KPS! I'm truly very happy for you! Fantastic unbroken chain of history, great car, caring owners; doesn't get better than this

I haven't been to Bangalore in ages but now I really have the incentive to go and check out your beauts.

Looking forward to follow the upcoming work on your new VW Beetle
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Old 8th July 2019, 11:04   #7
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Congratulations KPS.

I'm not a regular in this section and have little idea about vintage and classic cars. Opened this thread casually and was mind blown going through all the history and detailed paperwork. Wow!

The car is a beauty. Awaiting transformation pics post maintenance and detailing.
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Old 8th July 2019, 11:20   #8
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Even i don't look at Vintage car threads. But, just clicked it from the home page and what a history !! All owners have maintained things perfectly, both the car and the respective papers, maintenance bills. I am sure it is very rare that a chain continued without a single break till the 5th owner.

I am sure you are very proud of your possession. Congratulations and will curiously look forward to your restoration of this beauty.

Swami
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Old 8th July 2019, 12:01   #9
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Congratulations KPS on this beautyIt's astonishing to see such detailed history and paper work. Right from Invoice to transfer documents, repair/maintenance bills. This is just wonderful feeling.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
In 1993, the 3rd owner wrote this note while handing over the car to the 4th owner.
Priceless!! Only a true car lover could write such note, caring for her even if when she's gone to other owner. Point no. 1 in the note: starter protection system back in 60s
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Old 8th July 2019, 13:04   #10
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Congratulations again KPS and a nice thread, looking forward to the restoration, though I would wait for a while and just enjoy it as it is.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
We have an internal rule of only two cars, as parking is a premium at home.

Lastly, I had acquired an additional parking space, so I kept my mind open for a good car, should an opportunity come by me.

Cheers
KPS
Rules are meant to be broken but in case you ever change your mind and start re-following the rules, you know whom to call
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Old 8th July 2019, 14:15   #11
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Congrats KPS on an excellent find. The car has found its rightful owner in Bengaluru and I am sure your passion and dedication was what convinced the previous owners to transfer the car to you. This car is worthy of your garage and breaking the two car rule that you had followed. Great acquisition.

The picture of Kaizer next to the Plymouth emphasizes the sheer scale and size of the PB and makes it stand out even further.

Wish you may happy miles in Kaizer and I will hopefully will take a drive in it soon.

Last edited by vanam : 8th July 2019 at 14:15. Reason: Formatting
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Old 8th July 2019, 14:57   #12
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
Spoke to the owner and expressed my desire to buy the car. Having understood the current owners background I was very sure that money would not the motivation to sell the car. He was very interested in knowing my back ground, my passion of V & C cars, if I did plan to keep or trade the car and so on . He did not want to sell this car to any broker. He wanted this car to go a person who will care for it with same passion in which he maintained this car, in the 25 years of his ownership. After he understood my background he agreed to sell the car at a price at which we both though was very fair. He could easily asked for a higher price, but being a gentleman he did not change his mind.

Spoke to JayD and confirmed that I had purchased the car. He was pleasantly surprised, as he was of the opinion the current owner would never let go of this original car and that it was in his ownership for about 25 years. He was happy that this wonderful car had found a good home with me.

Cheers

KPS
Congratulations KPS !
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Old 8th July 2019, 14:59   #13
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Classic cars and vintage cars are beyond me. But Beetles have there own charm and here i was reading a post on classic cars and i was glued to eleven. Congrats KPS on the amazing acquisition. Kudos to the last four owners for maintaining every bit of paperwork and for maintaining the car so well.
Also is there any edge or part in the car that gives a hint of the original Java Green shade?

Glued to the thread.
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Old 8th July 2019, 16:45   #14
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

This thread has a certain emotional value. This bettle is so lucky to have such caring owners. Will love to see this car in person some day.
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Old 9th July 2019, 03:00   #15
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Re: Kaizer - My 1967 Beetle VW1300

Congratulations KPS ! I see that you have already arranged for NOC from Kerala, but request not to change the original number plate if possible
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