Board Logo

New 12v Horn with Correct VW Sound?
hulbyw - May 19th, 2015 at 10:01 PM

I am wondering whether anyone has found a new replacement horn that sounds like a Beetle horn? Hella make a 12v horn but I have no idea what it sounds like
Cheers......Wayne

adlbeetle66 - May 20th, 2015 at 07:26 AM

Good question... There is nothing like a VW horn... :smirk:
In 1967 they changed to 12v, maybe these ones are ok?

Phil74Camper - May 20th, 2015 at 07:52 AM

In Australia the conversion to 12V was 1968. 1967 VWs were still 6V.

Yes a 1968-on 12V VW horn still sounds the same. You can also use a horn off a '76-'80 Golf.

1303Steve - May 20th, 2015 at 12:14 PM

I have new 12 volt ones on my sons bug and my bug, both sound very Herbie, I think I got them from CIP

hulbyw - May 20th, 2015 at 04:20 PM

Thanks guys. Just ordered a Hella one from local parts supplier who looks after me on price (not a VW place) for $45. Once fitted I will post what I reckon it sounds like
Cheers

adlbeetle66 - May 20th, 2015 at 04:22 PM

Oh ok Phil, my 67 bug must have been a really late one.. was original cond, and came from an old lady.. :)

adlbeetle66 - May 20th, 2015 at 04:23 PM

Yes, please do let us know what i sounds like :)

1303Steve - May 21st, 2015 at 08:20 AM

Not 100% sure but I think the round ones give the Herbie sound, mine is round

pfillery - May 21st, 2015 at 08:26 AM

What about Kombi horns? Are they supposed to be the same sound? Mine has a non original but I have a nice VW horn (seems very loud on 12v but has no voltage marked) that I was going to fit on.

Any way to tell if 6 or 12?

Phil74Camper - May 22nd, 2015 at 08:39 AM

Aussie '67 Beetles were made well into 1968, as it took the factory a while to convert from full manufacture back to CKD assembly. All the presses and tooling had to be ripped out and sold off, and new assembly lines installed. The '68 Beetle didn't debut until March 1968, initially fully imported, while they were working on the factory. The Deluxe '67 was discontinued first, but the Custom (and Country Buggy) continued while they also worked on the factory. The '68 model (manual only) wasn't ready for local assembly until about June 1968, and I believe the last Aussie '67 Custom Beetles were built in September 1968 when the last of the Aussie parts were used up. So yes, there was quite a crossover! Also in 1967-68 VW sales were dropping (in fact sales dropped every year after 1964), so there were a lot of unsold 6V Beetles in dealerships at that time. It would have been many months before the last of the 6V Aussie models were sold, and in reality they were sold 'side by side' for most of 1968.

Many years ago when I changed my 40-horse to 12V, I left the 6V horn in place. It worked fine on 12V - at least for a while. I later put on the Golf 1 horn as it was 12V, smaller and lighter, and sounded the same anyway. That Golf horn in on my Kombi today.

hulbyw - May 22nd, 2015 at 09:13 PM

Fitted the 12v Hella round horn today. PN 6001. My 1968 Bug is German build
Given that I haven't had the original horn on the car for a long time, I reckon this horn sounds ok. It runs at 400htz and is quite Herbie like. Quite loud as well. It'll do.
Cheers......Wayne