Volkswagen introduced the Cabriolet (made by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany) in 1949, with some important differences to the Beetle. A much-stiffened platform and body guaranteed rigidity, while double-skinned rear quarter panels allowed for roll-up rear quarter windows. The cooling louvres were moved down onto the engine lid.

The fully insulated and lined convertible tops with glass rear window were legendary for their quality and weathertightness, and the cars were an instant and timeless styling hit, beautiful whether the top was up or down.

During my student days I owned several early “oval” Beetles and a classic 1955 23-window Safari bus, but my real ‘lusts’ (a Cabriolet and a Super90 Porsche 356B) were to elude me for decades, as prices rose, availability dropped, and the family grew.

An internet search of classified ads I undertook one evening in 2001 had me choking on my glass of red as the advert for the ’54 came up. The rather incredulous Sydney owner wondered how I had phoned from Melbourne when the ad had yet to be printed in the following day’s paper in Sydney!

I threw caution to the wind and agreed to the purchase of the car sight unseen, knowing this would be my only chance to realise the dream. A week of torture followed while I waited for the car to be shipped to my Melbourne home, during which I had nightmares of having spent bucketloads on a worthless rusting non-original chopped Beetle!

However the moment of truth eventually saw delivery of an incredibly original, rust-free and mechanically healthy genuine Karmann. A new set of ‘correct’ whitewall Firestones imported from the USA replaced the perished originals, and other than plenty of elbow grease to add a bit of glamour to the oodles of charm this delightful car exudes, all I’ve had to do is think of the perfect number plate for it! Even the original semaphore direction indicators work beautifully.