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Every Month, A New Super Beetle Story
The Features section showcases standout 1302 and 1303 Super Beetles from across the community, highlighting restorations, survivor cars, custom builds, and the personal stories behind them. Each feature offers a closer look at the craftsmanship and passion that define the Super Beetle. Explore the latest featured car below and revisit the stories that make these models so memorable.
A Gold Coast Gem Finds Her Forever Home - Owner: Stephen Hagate
When Stephen Hagate found his 1973 Volkswagen 1303L with its 1600 twin port engine, he knew he had discovered something special. The Super Beetle had been fully restored over a decade by a dedicated enthusiast who rebuilt it from the ground up in his own shed. The remarkable twist is that despite all the work, the car was never actually driven. Stephen found this gem on the Gold Coast in Queensland near Surfers Paradise, and it became his very first Volkswagen.
Stephen's love for VWs reaches back to his uni days in his twenties when a friend owned a Beetle. His earliest VW memory goes slightly further back to his late teens when another friend had a Combi camper. Those early encounters planted a seed that eventually grew into his appreciation for classic air cooled vehicles.
Although Lotti arrived in restored condition, she required a few finishing touches to be fully road ready. Stephen brought her to an air cooled VW specialist who carefully inspected the car. The headlights received new reflectors, the faulty speedometer was repaired, the carburettor was tuned, and various adjustments were made to give Stephen confidence behind the wheel. With those minor issues addressed the Super Beetle finally began the life it was rebuilt for.
Stephen added small touches to personalize Lotti including a transmission tunnel cup holder basket and a vintage leather suitcase for the trunk. With everything else already restored or renewed there is nothing left on the to do list. Future plans might include adding a period correct roof rack and joining VW rallies starting in 2026.
Lotti is no garage queen. Stephen drives her daily and enjoys every moment. He says he will never sell her. The joy she brings is constant whether it comes from her unmistakable character or from the waves and smiles she attracts on the road. Everywhere he goes someone has a story to share about the Beetle they owned or the one a family member cherished.
For Stephen Hagate owning a vintage VW is about more than transportation. It is about connection nostalgia and the happiness that comes from piloting a classic with a personality all its own. Lotti is more than just a Super Beetle. She is a keeper.
