Trevor Wilson's 1977 Karmann Cabriolet Beetle

Trevor is one of our new committee members and owns this stunning white Karmann Cabrio. ed

After owning four 1303s and one 1302s during 15 years, I had always wanted to own a Karmann Cabriolet Beetle. So when I realised that my trusty orange ï03 saloon was not going to make it as a daily driver after seven faithful years, I made the decision to look for a cabriolet as a project, as I couldn't afford a fully restored vehicle. That was nearly two years ago.

I spent a couple of months trawling through all the usual magazines, enquiring about importing, and looking at some very dodgy examples. Then I found a 1977 model in South London - white with a grey roof. The owner had imported the car from Italy 14 years before and no longer had the enthusiasm to keep it. Despite having a full MOT, the floorpan was on its way out and so were the heater channels. The roof wasn't good and sagged, and the interior was looking tired. However it was complete and solid where it mattered (the framehead, a 1303 weak spot). So I negotiated a good cheap price and drove it away - roof down of course!

I soon got used to LHD, the weak 1200 engine (Italian spec, but it's a heavy car) and the very leaky roof! Car covers and tent waterproofing helped with the last problem.

I drove it like that for a few months, until I used my orange saloon as a donor for it's 1600 engine and brakes. I was tempted to have a RHD conversion done, but stayed with keeping that original. My first expense involved fitting twin Dellorto carbs and uprated disc brakes at the front.

Then after a year came the first MOT. Now it was time to get the real pricey work done and unfortunately I'm no welder. This was all handled by Welsh VW Specialists in South Wales - who I'd been using for years. I left the car with them for quite a few months while I had panels, floorpans etc. sent to them to keep the welding going. Some parts were fabricated, as the pattern parts were often too inferior.

I Got the car back, solid, resprayed and looking very tidy. A full bare metal respray will have to wait, but at least the rot had gone. As soon as it was in London, I had the whole roof replaced with a black mohair version, by Carhood Warehouse in Croydon - no more leaks on my new floorpan! I had recently bought some second-hand early Golf GTi seats for the front, so I had these and the rear seats recovered in black leather by DB Cartrim in Blackpool. I fitted sound proofing and new carpets and I was ready for summer!

There's still lots more to do and replace, but the engine is next. I've just found out that I have a cracked cylinder head so it's time for the engine to come out and rebuilt to 1776cc.

This project has cost me a lot so far and taken nearly two years, but it's been worth it. I only wish I'd had the time and space to do more of the work myself. There's something quite special about a Beetle Cabriolet and I've been waiting a long time to enjoy one.