January Feature
Every Month, A New Super Beetle Story
Scrap to Scandinavian Snow - Owner: Harald List
At just 18 years old, Harald List took on what many would have written off as impossible. His 1973 Volkswagen 1303S was little more than scrap when he found it abandoned in a garden in his hometown, where it had been sitting untouched for 17 years. That discovery marked the beginning of a full restoration that would shape not only the car, but Harald himself. Seven years later, the Super Beetle is very much alive and earning its keep as a true daily driver.
This 1303S is no trailer queen. Harald uses it for everything, from commuting to university and grocery runs to long road trips that most modern cars would hesitate to attempt. Every mile adds to the story of a Beetle that was built to be driven, just as Volkswagen intended.
Harald’s passion for vintage machinery runs deep. Growing up around cars, he was heavily influenced by his father, a lifelong automotive enthusiast who introduced him to the charm of air cooled boxer engines. One car in particular left a lasting impression. His father still owns a 1968 Steyr Puch Haflinger powered by a two cylinder air cooled Puch boxer engine. Harald learned to drive in that little off road machine at the age of eight, and the sound of its cooling fan echoing across the Dutch landscape is a memory that never faded.
The most ambitious chapter in the Beetle’s life came in February 2024 with an unforgettable winter expedition to Scandinavia. Along with a group of friends from his student association (@esavdebeunbazen), Harald set out on a 5,500 kilometer journey that pushed both drivers and cars to their limits. The route carried them 220 kilometers into the Arctic Circle at the heart of winter. While the rest of the group questioned the wisdom of bringing a Beetle along, Harald never hesitated.
Fully loaded, the 1303S rose to the challenge. Harald added heated seats and rerouted the rear passenger heating outlets to the front to maximize warmth, though a thick winter coat remained an essential companion. The trip began in Flensburg, Germany, then continued through Denmark and Sweden, down through Norway, and back again through Sweden, Denmark and Germany before finally returning to the Netherlands.
Over eleven days, the group crossed frozen lakes, navigated icy roads, and rolled through remote villages where finding high octane fuel was often a hopeful gamble. Through it all, the Beetle never missed a beat. The rear engine and rear wheel drive setup proved ideal in snow and ice, delivering traction and confidence when it mattered most.
Looking back, Harald says he would not have chosen any other car for the journey. His 1973 1303S has already proven itself far beyond expectations, and if its past is any indication, this Beetle’s greatest adventures are still ahead.
