EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEETLE..........FROM
THE "WHAT YEAR IS IT?" BOOKLET, C1976 Volkswagen of America.
"Back in 1949, when the first two beetles arrived in the U.S., who would
have predicted that those odd-shaped Bugs represented the shape of small, economical things to come?
Nearly 30 years later, the Beetle remains truly the first "world car" and
is equally at home in Burns or Brooklyn, in Peru or Peoria. And if you live in Mexico, you will know why they're called
"Belly Buttons" - everybody has one!
Produced at the rate of 1,700 per day, there are about 18.5 million Beetles
on the world scene. In 1973 the popular Beetle broke the record set by the Model T Ford as the world's most-produced
car and each year thereafter the Beetle has set another record.
While the Beetles basic shape remains the same, each year's Beetle
is better than the last, as changes and improvements keep this "old friend" new under the skin. So, while it's
easy to spot a Beetle, telling it's age is something else. That's why we've produced this guide. The Beetle is
living proof of the VW Philosophy that changes are never made for the sake of change, but the for sake of improvement.
All Volkswagens were built according to calander year prior to 1955.
On August 1, 1955, a "model year" was established. In some instances, many exterior changes and inside improvements
were made during a particular year's production. The older the VW, the moree difficult it is to spot the changes.
The features listed are characteristic improvements in a given model
year. The only sure-fire way of identification is to check chassis number on the car and compare it with the numbers
listed."
LOCATING CHASSIS NUMBERS:
Effective with the 1970 models, all VW's have a 10-digit serial number in
compliance with Federal regulations. The first two digits of the serial number signify the model; the third is the last
numeral of the model year; and the fourth to tenth digits indicate the consecutive production number within each type.
CHASSIS numbers are located (1) under the back seat, stamped on the
frame tunnel, (2) on the chassis indentification plate and (3) on all vehicles produced since January 1, 1969, on a vehicle
identification plate fastened to the dashboard near the lower left hand corner of the windsheild.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE BEETLE 1949 to 1976 and how to distinguish
what year is that Beetle???
1949: Chassis Numbers: 91 922 - 138 554
1) License plate indentation on rear deck dropped
2) Inside pull cable release on front hood; no lock on hood handle.
3) Solex carburetor introduced as standard equipment
4) starting crank hole dropped
1950: Chassis Numbers: 138 555 - 220 471
1) Hydraulic brakes introduced; formerly mechanical brakes
2) Sunroof introduced
3) Noise mufflers for heating ducts added
4) Automatic air cooling by thermostatically controlled throttle ring.
5) Fuel mixture heating device (heat riser) introduced
1951 Chassis Numbers: 220 472 - 313 829
1) Chrome garnish molding added to windsheild
2) Wolfsburg crest added to front hood above hood handle.
3) Vent flaps added to front-quarter body panels
1952 Chassis Numbers: 313 830 - 428 156
1) Vent windows added, vent flaps in front-quarter body panels discontinued
2) Heating control by rotary knob; formerly pull knob
3) "T" type rear hood handle introduced, formerly loop-type.
4) Two brake and taillights; formerly one brake and stoplight in center
of rear hood.
5) Window crank makes 3 1/2 turns
6) Glove compartment gets door, formerly open bin
7) Turn signal control moved to steering wheel from dashboard
8) 5.60 x 15 inch tires replace 5.00 x 16 tires
9) 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears syncronized; formerly crashbox.
1953 Chassis Numbers: 428 157 - 575 414
1) Oval, one-piece rear window replaces split window
2) Lock button added to vent window handles
3) Brake fluid reservoir relocated behind spare tire, formerly at
master cylinder.
1954 Chassis Numbers: 575 415 - 722 934
1) Starter now incorporated with ignition switch; formerly separate button
on dashboard
2) Increased horsepower (from 30 to 36) and displacement (from 1131cc
to 1192cc)
3) Oil bath air cleaner introduced; formerly felt element filter
4) Break-in driving requirement dropped for engine
5) Automatic three-way courtesy light added
6) Top window in taillight housing dropped
1955 Chassis Numbers: 722 935 - 929 745
1) Flashing directional indicators mounted low on front fenders replace
the semaphore turn indicators
1956 Chassis Numbers: 929 746 - 1 246 618
1) Chromed dual tail pipes added; formerly single tail pipe
2) Tailight housing moved two inches higher
3) Bumper overrider "bows" added
4) Sunroof made o plastic fabric; formerly cloth
5) Steering wheel diameter spoke (horizontal) moved lower, off-center
6) Heater knob moved forward
7) Adjustable front seat backs
8) Redesigned gas tank yeilds larger luggage space
1957 Chassis Numbers: 1 246 619 - 1 600 439
1) Tubeless tires replace tube type tires
2) Adjustable striker plates fitted to doors
3) Front heater outlets moved back to within five inches of door for better
heat distribution
1958 Chassis Numbers: 1 600 440 - 2 007 615
1) Brake drums and shoes widend for faster, surer stops
2) Rear window and windsheild enlarged
3) Front turn signal lights moved to top of fender
4) Radio grills moved left, in front of driver
5) Flat accelerator pedal replaces roller type
1959 Chassis Numbers: 2 007 616 - 2 528 667
1) Stronger Clutch Springs
2) Improved fan belt
3) Frame reinforced for greater strength
4) No visible changes
1960 Chassis Numbers: 2 528 668 - 3 192 506
1) Steering Wheel Dished
2) Door handle became grab handles with push buttons; were formerly pullout
level type
3) Padded sun visor, formerly transparent plastic
4) Generator output increased from 160 to 180 watts
5) Steering damper added for improved handling
6) Seat back contoured for greater comfort
1961 Chassis Numbers: 3 192 507 - 4 010 994
1) Sunvisor and grab handle provided for passenger's side
2) Increased horsepower from 36 to 40
3) Automatic choke introduced
4) Transmission syncronized in all forward speeds
5) Flatten gas tank yeilds increased luggage space
6) "quick-check" transparent brake reservoir
7) Pump-type windsheild washer
8) Non-repeat starter switch
1962 Chassis Number: 4 010 995 - 4 846 835
1) Spring-loaded hood
2) Larger Taillights
3) Sliding covers on heat outlets
4) Compressed air windsheild washer
5) Seat belt mounting points added
6) Gas gauge; formerly reserve fuel tap
1963 Chassis Numbers: 4 846 836 - 5 677 118
1) Leatherette headliner introduced
2) Wolfsburg Headcrest dropped
3) Folding handle for sunroof
4) Foam insulated floor
5) Fresh Air heating
6) Nylon window glides
1964 Chassis Numbers: 5 677 119 - 6 502 399
1) Crank operated sliding steel sunroof replaces the fabric sunroof
2) Horn actuated by two thumb buttons, formerly by a half-ring
3) Larger license plate light
4) Aerated vinyl material replaces nonporous leatherette seat upholstery
1965 Chassis Numbers: 115 000 001 - 115 979 200
1) Windows enlarged; slimmer door and windsheild posts
2) Heat control levers mounted on tunnel, heater efficiency imporved
3) Rear seatback converts to platform
4) Push-button catch on engine lid
5) Thinner, deeply contoured front seats; increased rear seat knee room
6) Swivel mounted sun visors
1966 Chassis Numbers: 116 000 001 - 116 1 021 298
1) Increased horsepower (from 40 to 50) and displacement (from 1200 to 1300cc),
number 1300 on engine lid
2) Ventilating wheel slots; flat hub caps
3) Emergency blinker switch
4) Headlight dimmer switch mounted on turn signal
5) Center-dash defroster outlet
6) Semi-circular horn ring
1967 Chassis Numbers: 117 000 001 - 117 844 892
1) Increased horsepower (from 50 to 53) and displacement (from 1300cc to
1500cc)
2) Single-unit headlights with chrome rim; fender indented
3) Dual brake system; front/rear operate independantly
4) Backup lights
5) Parking light incorporated into front turn signals
6) Locking buttons on doors
7) 12 - volt electrical system (36-amp battery)
8) VOLKSWAGEN nameplate on engine lid
1968 Chassis Numbers: 118 000 000 - 118 1 016 098
1) One-piece bumpers; bows and overriders eliminated. Bumper height raised
2) Head restraints combined with front seat backrests
3) Automatic (optional) stick shift introduced
4) External gas tank filler; spring-loaded flap
5) Front hood air intake louver; push-button front hood catch
6) Fresh air ventilating system
7) Collapsible steering column
8) Exhaust emission control system
9) Flattend door handles with built in trigger release
10) Back-up/brake lights and rear turn signals in single housing
11) Certification sticker on door post that vehicle meets federal safety
standards
1969 Chassis Numbers: 119 000 001 - 119 1 093 704
1) Rear window defogger and defroster; electric heating wires on inner surface
of glass
2) Double-jointed rear axle for improved ride and handling
3) Warning lights in speedometer identified by letters or symbols
4) Ignition lock is combined with a locking device for the steering wheel
5) Gas tank filler neck flap has lock which has a release under the right
side of the dash panel
6) Front hood release is located in the glove compartment
7) Day/Night rear view mirror
8) Warm air outlets at base of the doors moved rearward; remote control
knobs on door columns
1970 Chassis Numbers: 11 0 2000001 - 11 - 3096945
1) Air intake slots on engine lid
2) Increased horsepower (from 53 to 57) and displacement (from 1500cc to
1600cc)
3) Enlarged front turn signals (Combined with side marker lights)
4) Reflectors mounted on rear bumper
5) Side replectors built into taillight housing
6) Tenths of a mile indicator on odometer (also appears on late '69 models)
7) Head restraints reduced in size
8) Buzzer sounds when door is opened and key is left in ignition
9) Remote control knobs for warm air outlets discontinued
10) Lock in glove compartment door
1971 Chassis Numbers: 111 2 000001 - 111 3 143118
1) Increased horsepower (from 57 to 60)
2) Flow-through ventilation with exhaust ports behind rear side windows
3) Headlights automatically go off and parking lights stay on when ignition
is turned off
4) larger taillights
1972 Chassis Numbers: 112 2 000001 - 112 2 961362
1) Larger rear window
2) Air intake slots on engine compartment increased from two to four
3) Smoother engine warm-up after cold weather start
4) New safety steering wheel with collapsible hub
5) Lever mounted on steering column for fingertip control of both windsheild
wiper and washer
6) Hinged parcel shelf to cover rear-end luggage well
7) Restyled and easier to read speed-o-meter
8) Automatic electronic check of dual brake system warning light each time
the engine starts
9) VW Computer Analysis Socket
1973 Chassis Numbers: 113 2 000 001 - 113 3 021 954
Type 113 Chassis Numbers: 133 2 000 001 - 133 3 021 860
1) Large, circular tailight complex combining stop light, turn signal, tail
and backup lights
2) Stronger bumpers add an inch of overall length
3) Front seats adjustable to any of 77 different positions
4) More durable, easier to operate clutch, softer transmission mounting
5) Improved intake air pre-heating for faster cold-weather starts
6) Windsheild wiper arms have black finish
7) Inertia-reel safety belts
8) 6.00 x 15l tires with 4 1/2 inch wide wheels
1974 Chassis Numbers: 114 2 000 001 - 114 2 818 456
Type 113 Chassis Numbers: 134 2 000 001 - 134 2 798 165
1) Self-restoring, energy absorbing ront and rear bumbers
2) Ignition interlock prevents engine from being started before safety belts
are fastened
3) New Cylinder head alloy for better heat dissipation
4) Additional Computer Analysis sensor reads ignition timing and top dead
center
5) Front seat headrests redesigned and made slightly smaller
6) Steering wheel made more elastic to "give" more in the event of an accident
7) "Park" position for Automatic Stick Shift
8) Warning light for hand brake
1975 Chassis Numbers: 115 2 000 001 - 115 2 267 815
Type 113 Chassis Numbers: 135 2 000 001 - 135 2 267 815
1) Electronic fuel injection with "Fuel Injection" insignia on rear deck
lid
2) Single Tailpipe
3) Increased horsepower; 48hp up from 46 (SAE net)
4) Clutch pedal pressure eased
5) Larger exhaust valve stems for better heat ransfer
6) New heat exchangers for greater heat output
7) Installation of battery ground cable wth diagnosis contact for more accurate
computer analysis readings
8) Odometer triggers red warning light "EGR" in speedomoter to notify driver
of service requirements
9) California models with catalytic converter require lead-free gasoline;
fuel filler neck has smaller opening for nozzle
10) Maintenance intervals extended to 15,000 miles
1976 Chassis Numbers:116 2000 001 - (not avail time of printing)
1976 VW Convertible Chassis Numbers: 156 2000 001 - (n/a)
1) Beetle has plush appearance with many luxury "extras" as standard equipment;
two-coat metallic paint (Silver Metallic, Lime green, Topaz Metallic) full carpeting; sports-style wheel rims; rear window
defogger.
2) New speedomoter with outer scale in miles per hour and inner scale in
kilometers per hour (on most '76 models)
3) Redesigned front seats with improved back adjustment, for added comfort
and body support
4) Two-speed fresh air blower
5) All trim components chrome-plated
6) Automatic stick shift (option) discontinued
....
Now that I have carpel tunnel from copying all of that, I hope that you
found it helpful; or at least interesting....
