Beetle build plate?

Hi,
I have a 72 Superbug. I have the chassis number from under the back seat, but can't find any compliance or build plates. Where should they be?

I have to have an NT compliance check next month... Have spent thousands getting it 'going' and transported accross Oz. Hopefully not for nothing!

Joshua.

Hi

The plate should be near lock panel, they weren't always fitted to 72 models.

Steve

1303Steve wrote:Hi

The plate should be near lock panel, they weren't always fitted to 72 models.

Steve

Wow, thank for that! I have a '72 S-Bug with no compliance plate and thought it had been removed during a prior respray.

Lot of cars have had front end prangs and new aprons fitted so the plates go walkabout but all your aussie superbugs had them riveted to the apron beside the lock latch.

It just depended who did it, some where fitted on the topside next to the latch, others were down below like mine

Alright, thanks for that. Either this one has then been repaired or was never fitted with one. I'll go with the latter.

Just on the picture above, what's the red bar running between the shock mounts? And where's all the wiring?! The back of my dash looks like technicolour spew. I have the 1302S with the spare lying flat, so it looks different.

Cheers.

Joshua.

The bar is a strut brace to stop the front suspension from flexing when pushed hard. Joels car is an L bug (also known overseas as a 1303). It has the wiring behind the black cover and is quite different from your beetle as it has the curved windscreen with an actual dashboard.

Yogie

joshuah wrote:Hi,
I have a 72 Superbug. I have the chassis number from under the back seat, but can't find any compliance or build plates. Where should they be?

I have to have an NT compliance check next month... Have spent thousands getting it 'going' and transported accross Oz. Hopefully not for nothing!

Joshua.

If You don't have one fitted someone may have one...

Some cars have used the wrong number for the chassis etc
lots of things have happened over the 40+ years.

the plates didn't seem to be important back then
it was always under the seat... and engine number..

LEE

joshuah wrote:Alright, thanks for that. Either this one has then been repaired or was never fitted with one. I'll go with the latter.

Just on the picture above, what's the red bar running between the shock mounts? And where's all the wiring?! The back of my dash looks like technicolour spew. I have the 1302S with the spare lying flat, so it looks different.

Cheers.

Joshua.

As Yogie said mines a 1303, the wiring is inside behind the dash and the spare tyre used to lay flat same as yours, it just has to sit upright now for my radiator and A/C condenser.

1302 like yours did have wiring covers originally, they are just made of cardboard and most have disintergrated by now.

It's no biggy if the compliance plate is missing, the RTA might make you jump through a couple of hoops but plenty of cars have been passed without them but they wouldnt have met ADR when sold new if they weren't fitted with a compliance plate.

Just hope You strike an older examiner as the new ones only know about new cars...

and think that older cars had the same things...

so long as You can prove what year it is to Him..

maybe need a list of chassis numbers and years to take..

LEE

better off not having one if the chassis number and plate numbers are different

then the RTA will ask a LOT of questions

68AutoBug wrote:Just hope You strike an older examiner as the new ones only know about new cars...

and think that older cars had the same things...

so long as You can prove what year it is to Him..

maybe need a list of chassis numbers and years to take..

LEE

Good idea. The one that flies in is a younginsh bloke who has a 'reputation' for pushing his little weight around...

Is there a good list that is regarded as credible available?

Joshua

vw54 wrote:better off not having one if the chassis number and plate numbers are different

then the RTA will ask a LOT of questions

Yep, my wife had that problem with her old Ford Laser - always raised question, even though it was legit.

The enging block has just been replaced and as yet has no stamped engine number. The people who did the work suggested recycling of the old engine number as the previous block is u/s anyway. So I am about to get it stamped with it. I hope this will minimise "questions" (unless the old engine was from a stolen car!!)

Joshua.

Australian VW Chassis Number list here:

http://www.clubvw.org.au/vwchassis

Volkswagen Engine Codes:

http://www.clubvw.org.au/vwengines

Your Superbug would most probably have had an 'AD' engine number originally.