An incredible barn-find 1979 Beetle with just two miles on the clock has sold for £49,500.

The Volkswagen Beetle Karmann Cabriolet was mysteriously kept in a garage from new.

The vehicle, finished in 'Brazil brown,' was discovered covered in sheets after its anonymous owner died.

Ashorne-based Classic Car Auctions (CCA) had originally listed a guide price of £10,000 - £12,000 for the rare motor.

However, the "once in a lifetime find" attracted great interest at Saturday's (30 September) sale at the Warwickshire Events Centre.

The car has been in storage all its life (image via SWNS)

It was originally listed a guide price of £10,000 - £12,000 (image via SWNS)

According to a CCA spokesperson, the original buyer was believed to be a "Midlands car dealer, who bought what he liked and then stored it up like treasure".

Simon Langsdale, who sourced the car for CCA, adds: "This was truly a once in a lifetime find.

"The car has literally been in storage all its life and has an incredible two miles on the odometer which we are told is correct.

"It has quite evidently been cossetted as it was covered in blankets in a sealed environment and has just recently been uncovered due to a bereavement.

"It is in effect a 'new' 1979 Karman Beetle, surely an unrepeatable opportunity. Supplied with its original handbook and service booklet, clearly with no stamps!"

The 40-year-old car is effectively 'new' (image via SWNS)