1961 Volkswagen Beach Buggy

The Beach Buggy on sale here with Bonhams Cars Online is said to be a genuine factory example built by GP Concessionaires LTD. It is a Short Wheelbase example that was created from a 1961 Volkswagen Beetle and is believed to have been built in 1969. This would make it a GP1, the first generation model made by the firm, who later offered the second generation which was called the GP2.

We are told it was created in house by the Middlesex based firm and was not sold as a home build kit. The seller, who is a Volkswagen enthusiast and collector, stumbled across the car in 2008. They immediately realised what it was and acquired the Buggy, which was at this stage in need of restoration. This started in earnest, with the aim to return to Beach Buggy to as close to its original GP1 build as possible.

The GP1 fibreglass body is finished in a bright blue which is said to be its original paint. It has survived remarkably well after all those years stored away and it is a colour that really suits the character of this cool and retro Beach Buggy. The paint itself presents very well with a few small marks present. These are shown in the photos. None of these detract from what is a very funky looking motor and it can be used an enjoyed as is.

The seller informs us that the Beach Buggy sits on a set of genuine Weller banded wheels, which were supplied in period to GP. These wheels are set off superbly by a set of moon dish wheel trims which complete the custom look.

The windscreen and the surround are all in good shape with some perishing evident to the bottom rubber strip beneath the screen.

On the wings are a matching set of period CB Oscar lights which the seller tells us are very rare.

The seller adds that the Beach Buggy comes with its original wet weather gear and folding roof, which includes the side screen. These are in very good condition for their age. There is one very small hole on the left side of the roof fabric, which is shown in the photos. Apart from that the hood is in really nice shape.

The seller goes on to say that the original 1961 Beetle floor pan was shot blasted in 2008 and was treated to 6 coats of 2 pack paint. This was then stone chip protected before two more coats of 2 pack were added on top of this.

The fibre glass body tub also looks to be in very good shape with a nice shine to the black paint and is very clean underneath.

Also of note on the rear wings are two Spax stickers, which are believed to be originals from when the Buggy was first built.

The seats of the GP Beach Buggy are trimmed in black diamond pattern vinyl and are in really good condition. These were redone in April 2008. The seats themselves are in very nice shape with minimal signs of use and wear. Lap belts were also fitted in the front and the rear.

The black sports steering wheel sets off the look very well and it too is in good shape with a few marks and small nicks in the leather.

The steering wheel is complemented by the Empi gearstick which completes the custom VW Beetle look.

Moving to the dashboard, the seller states that this is all original with the gauges coming from the 1961 Beetle. They add that everything works as it should.

And on the floor the rubber liner is in very good condition which hardly any signs of wear evident.

Normally at this stage of the listing we move to “under the bonnet”, but as this Buggy is based on a VW Beetle, we of course move to the back. The engine in this example is believed to have been a new 1200cc unit that was acquired in 1970 but was never actually installed or run.

When the seller acquired the car in 2008 he set about installing the engine, which was found to run very well. They state that it both runs and drives as a 1200cc Beetle engine should and the 4 speed gearbox goes through the gears well. They add that it was last serviced about a month ago with fresh oil and the brakes were also overhauled with a with new master cylinder and new wheel cylinders. New copper brake pipes were also fitted as well.

The seller goes on to say that they have fitted new electronic ignition, along with new spark plugs and HT leads. The engine also runs a 28Pict Solex carb with electric choke and this has also been overhauled by the seller.

We can confirm that the Buggy started and idled very nicely during the photoshoot with a fantastic flat four rasp from the exhaust note.

This GP Beach Buggy is said to have been converted by a couple who used their very own 1961 Volkswagen Beetle for the build. The story goes is that it was said to have been a wedding present from the wife to the husband, with the work being done in 1969 or so. For whatever reason the Buggy was never really used and it remained in storage until it was acquired by the current owner, who purchased it direct from the very lady that commissioned the original conversion.

There isn’t an extensive history file with the Beach Buggy but it does have the all important original logbook for the 1961 VW Beetle on which it is based. This notes the original registration of that very car which was “659 KAR”, which is the registration the Buggy wears today.

Also included in the history file is some correspondence with the DVLA and the Volkswagen Owners Club of Great Britain dated from 2008. This refers to applying for the Buggy's original registration after it had been laid up for many decades.

Other items in the history file are an old tax disc from January 1970, a photo from when Buggy re-emerged in 2008 and an old MOT certificate from August 2008.

The seller notes that they have spoken with an individual who used to work for GP back in the day and they verbally confirmed this example was built in house by GP and displays the factory cuts and welds that the firm was known for back in the day.

This 1961 Volkswagen Beach Buggy comes with the V5C in the current owners name and it correctly states that is a VW Beach Buggy.

The Buggy also has a current MOT Certificate with no advisories which is valid until 13th June 2024.

If there is one car that says “summer fun” it is a retro Beach Buggy. This fun looking classic is a guaranteed head turner and will deliver countless smiles per mile every time it hits the road. And the fact it is a period GP built Beach Buggy makes it a very interesting acquisition for both Beetle and Buggy collectors alike. With the British summer already here, this is the ultimate cruiser for those wanting a slice of the Californian life in good old Blighty.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Woodchurch, Kent. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.