VW 1303 Convertible. The last open beetle.

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In August 1972 the VW 1303 was born. He succeeded the 1302. The latter model was the first Super Beetle and was only on the market for two years. Volkswagen decided to revise the 1302 and launch the 1303 due to the increasing safety and equipment requirements. There was of course also a convertible version, which was traditionally built at Karmann in Osnabrück. He became the last open Beetle in the VW program.

Passive and active safety

Safety features such as a panoramic windscreen, a safety steering wheel and a shock-absorbing dashboard gave the entire 1303 range a different look. Furthermore, the 1303 had an improved road holding due to, among other things, the application of the Mac Pherson front suspension and a rear axle with angled wheel support arms. In terms of comfort, too, the last Super Beetle made a leap forward: the ventilation and heating system was drastically improved. The 1303 also got better furniture.

Elephant legs

The launch of the 1303 also meant that the Elephant legs were introduced: large rear light units now found their way to the rear fenders. In practical terms, the modified front contributed to a boot space that was increased from 140 to 260 liters. The spare wheel could now be laid flat due to the independently suspended wheels. It contributed to the increase in baggage volume. At the time of its launch in the VW Beetle range, the 1303 was widely regarded as the best Beetle.

Of course also as a convertible

The closed 1200 and 1300 continued to exist in the program, but were not available as a convertible. That did apply to the 1303. The latter succeeded the 1302 LS Cabriolet. The new, more modern equipped Beetle was named 1303 LS Cabriolet in the open version and received the technical and cosmetic adjustments from its close brother. As was the case with the previous Cabriolets, the new 1303 LS Cabriolet also had reinforced sills to guarantee torsional rigidity.

Reasonable standard equipment, extensive option list

The 1303 Cabriolet always had reasonable standard equipment. The buyer of the last open Beetle could, among other things, include heating in the rear (Fondheizung), an anti-glare mirror, carpeting, sleeping chairs, an electric clock, a cigarette lighter, two ashtrays in the rear, two door pockets, a lockable cupboard, a blower with two speeds and disc brakes before greeting. Also reversing lights, rubber-inserted bumpers, the 1.584 cc boxer engine with 50 HP, chrome accents and fully galvanized windows on both sides were included. Equipment technically changed little over the years. That also applied to the option list, because it was always extended according to good VW use. Rear window heating, sports rims and a bad weather package (including a stronger battery) were a few of the items that were available at an additional cost.

Improvements

In terms of safety, the introduction of the rack and pinion steering in 1974 was a major improvement. Together with earlier applied train improvements, this provided a more stable road holding for all 1303 versions. The Cabriolet did lose the "LS" indication in 1975, without compromising the equipment level. What the Cabriolet did not lose according to the Volkswagen tradition was the generous option list, which included a bad weather package (including a heavier battery), a heated rear window and sporty VW rims. And after 1975 one more major adjustment took place: the horsehair filling of the convertible top was replaced by plastic.

Almost 100.000 x 1303 Convertible

The end of the Beetle Cabriolet was finally announced. The open 1303 just reached the beginning of the 1980s, but after the delivery of the last two produced open Beetles in Alpinweiss, the curtain fell, and the Golf Cabriolet took over from its illustrious predecessor. 1303 units were made from the 99.669 Cabriolet. To this day, this open beetle is a very popular and valuable classic.

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