Lignum Beetleum / Lost in the Woods 6, Belgium

Lignum Beetleum is a neglected Volkswagen Beetle in a small wooded area in Belgium. This location is also known as Lost in the Woods 6 among photographers.

The abandoned blue Beetle

Lignum Beetleum is a beautiful pale blue, and covered with vibrantly contrasting green-yellow moss. A bed of vivid green nettles surrounded it at the time of our visit. A  tree has grown up through the passenger side of the car. It emerges from the windscreen as several diverging moss-covered trunks as they fan out and extended skyward. There are other cars nearby, including a red Mustang. Most of these were too overgrown by nettles and brambles to photograph during our brief late Spring visit in 2017.

1973-1974 VW-1303 Super Beetle

The partially obscured model number at the back of the car indicates it is the VW-1303 model of VW Beetle. This model was in production between 1973 and 1974. This variation was re-branded and marketed as the Super Beetle on exported North American versions. The Beetle was commonly known as Käfer (“beetle”) in Germany, and  Coccinelle (“ladybug”) in France.

This was the first model to feature a taller and curved windscreen. This feature was added to comply with North American safety regulations as well as improving visibility and aerodynamics. Sometimes the VW-1303 is called the “Panorama Beetle” due to this redesigned window. This model also features a shortened hood/bonnet. Additional these cares lacks the traditional circular “VW” logo badge usually found prominently at the front. The dashboard also featured a curved and padded redesign. A flat dashboard had been used in Beetles since the 1950s. This model had large tail/rear lights, nicknamed “elephants feet” by VW enthusiasts. The blue paint used on Lignum Beetleum was either “Marathon Blue” or “Marina Blue”. It is difficult to say on the old faded paintwork.