As you know, the Volkswagen Type 1 came in numerous forms. The first and second digits of the chassis number (after 1965) gave the VW 'model' or 'type' code:

11 = Beetle
13 = Superbug (after 1973)
14 = Karmann Ghia
15 = Beetle Cabrio
18 = Thing, Kurierwagen
19 = Australian-manufactured Beetle (1965-67)

When the Golf 1 came along in 1974, it was also a VW 'Type 1'. Its model code was Type 17. When the VIN numbering system replaced the old chassis numbers in 1980, the Golf had '17' in digits 7 and 8. The Golf was still a VW 'Type 1'.

This continued on through the later Golf generations:

Golf 1 - Type 17
Golf 2 - Type 19, later Type 1G
Golf 3 - Type 1H
Golf 4 - Type 1J
Golf 5 - Type 1K
Golf 6 - Type 1K

With the latest Golf 7 however, this series comes to a close. According to digits 7 & 8 of its VIN, it's now a Type AU. The Golf is no longer a Volkswagen Type 1.

The Eos was a Type 1F but has been discontinued; likewise the New Beetle Cabrio was a Type 1Y but it is also no longer made. The only surviving Type 1 is now the Scirocco (1C). But I suspect it will be recoded when it is redesigned next year.

That would be the end of an era.

BTW, the other digits tell us that - WVW = VW Passenger car. ZZZ = fill-in digits. AU = VW Model Type. Z = fill in digit. F = 2015 model (A=2010, B=2011, C=2012, D=2013, E=2014). W= Wolfsburg, where it was made. Then 349714 is the chassis number.

All the modern VW VIN code info can be browsed here (I have to update it for the model AU!):

http://www.clubvw.org.au/vwvin 

The Golf 6 is 5K

Thanks, but what is your source of info for that? Can you post a photo of an example? I've been looking at a few Golf 6s in the street over the last week or two, and have never seen any that are 5K. Maybe it depends on the year model - any idea when it changed?

Here's a typical one - as you can see, it's definitely a 1K.