Now this is something very different from all the previous SEB version 1303 models from Solido. Unlike them it isn’t an authentic replication of any Beetles actually made by Volkswagen.
It is nevertheless a significant model for the reasons I explained in the April 2025 issue of Diecast Collector magazine:
“PURISTS TURN THE PAGE…’
Now, if you know, you know, and if you don’t, then in the context of this article, it doesn’t matter, but 1303 was never a jeans style. Interestingly, then that Solido’s Jeans (S1800522-yellow) has appeared and brought with it some significant hit points. The twist, though, is in its availability – or at least its availability so far. I am certain most, if not all, readers are very aware that many scale model manufacturers make specific, limited quantity, colour or livery variations of some of their products for specialist retailer (reseller) outlets or specific single-nation markets. Solido, for example, has in the past produced such variations specifically for the German market …. Similarly, since 2021, it has been producing versions of its current castings in colour and livery variations specifically for sale in what it describes as ‘Mass Market’ outlets. Its latest offerings in this market sector were one of the features of its extensive unveilings at Spielwarenmesse last month…
What I cannot remember ever having previously happened, though, is a livery variation of such significance, albeit representational, being offered as a Mass Market exclusive rather than through a specialist retailer catering for niche or enthusiast tastes. In this case, the Mass Market is outwardly the extensive French Leclerc hypermarket chain. And here lies the second twist in that, as such, the Solido 1303 Jeans is not that easily accessible to VW model collectors outside of France.
SIGNIFICANT JEANS?
Well, yes, it is if you accept that it is in reality a representational model specifically targeted at a large sales volume sector of the market where the majority of purchases will be attracted by a visual impact rather than complete authenticity.
Setting aside the purist’s concerns, then, by viewing it as representational, this is the first scale model in five decades that captures the black trimmed, ochre-yellow paintwork of that original Jeans Beetle. Volkswagen’s name for the paint colour was Tunisgelb (Tunis yellow) – a shade only ever used on Jeans Beetles…
So, all in all, a significant release for two reasons. Firstly, because it is the only representation of the original Tunisgelb Jeans Beetle produced to date and (secondly) because it is confoundingly a specialist niche interest livery only available (currently) from French Hypermarkets.
In the context of all that then the cherry on the icing as far as I am concerned was Solido’s inclusion of the JEANS KÄFER rear licence plate replicating the display plate Volkswagen used back in September 1973 for the IAA launch of the three model “Käfer der Käufer” Editions as illustrated in our SEBeetles.com profile on the 1974 Jeans Beetle”.
An anecdote to finish with: Solido tell it was from that profile that it got the inspiration for both the colour scheme and that JEANS KÄFER rear plate of this model!
Stephen Paul Hardy,
England. 29th April 2025