Can anyone tell me where the fuel gauge was fitted in a '66 Custom Beetle? I thought that the gauges were all fitted to the left of the speedo (in RHD vehicles) until the '68 model ... but I have just noticed that my '66 Custom still has the sealant on the tags on the back of the grill on the LH side of the speedo ... so presumably it hasn't been removed since being built....?

This then begs the question - was it possible to get either '66 Bugs in 12 volt (special order), or speedo mounted fuel gauges in 6 volt? My car is 12 volt (looks like a conversion to me), and the fuel gauge is a 12 volt in speedo unit....

Any info appreciated.

R

im not 100% but i thought that era all had fuel gauges as it wouldnt have a fuel tap there now.. me thinks..

I think you'll find the 'Custom;' was the 'base' model (replacing the 'standard') and didn't have a fuel gauge

It was fitted the same place from 1962 to 1967 next to the speedo a square gauge and they were all 6 volts.

they were only fitted on the Deluxe models the standard models had a reserve tap and no gauge

yep the customs replaced the standard models.

No 12volts in Aussie until the 1968 model

hi i have a 66 standard and it did not have a fuel gauge either it should have a reserve tap near the high beam switch like an oval.

was 12V an option in australia before 68?

No

ALL Aussie built beetles had 6 volts
some 6 volt 1967 beetles were also sold in 1968.

then a batch [number unknown] of 1968 model 12 volt beetles were fully imported,

then 12 volt beetles were assembled in Australia from CKN kits in 1968 and later...

Lee

...so it would appear that I have a re-badged 'Deluxe' model then - that someone has gone to a lot of trouble to remove the standard 6 volt fuel gauge and mounting plate and replace it with a one from a later model....

Pic 1: Badges on engine lid
Pic 2: Rear end of car
Pic 3: Dash - note crackle finish paint and dozens of holes for meaningless warning lights which I have already removed along with about 5km of extra wiring!

... I don't really care if it isn't a 'Custom' as this was the real reason I purchased the car....

Pic 1: inside the car
Pic 2: outside the car (note the damaged cable and cable cover - anyone had any experience replacing these parts?)
Pic 3: disgusting colour choice, but as it will need rustwork in a couple of areas, colour can be changed easily....

R

Hi,
so far as i know, Only Deluxe beetles had the sunroof option..
the fuel gauge would have been on the LHS of the speedo..
if You take the panel off you will see the square hole...

the grey putty that VW used...
I always reused it... so having it on the clips isn't rare..
I still have some of it on My beetle, and its been totally pulled apart...

BUT seeing the Deluxe bumpers have the support bars from the top of the over riders, I'm thinking its a Deluxe..

Customs still had no glovebox lid...
the blade only bumpers were stainless steel...

I did see an original Custom beetle a few months ago..
it had no glovebox lid, No interior lamp - had a blanking piece instead - no interior lamp switches... no holes...
Custom beetles did have the 1300 engine...
I think 1200 was an option??

hood lining only on the top... painted on the sides...

[forgot to take My camera]

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

cheers

[ Edited on 18-8-2007 by 68AutoBug ]

Now that's a good find with the hole in the roof.Odd one though-a few conflicting features.Check to see if there is a hole for the fuel tap lever.My 66 Custom has no badges on the lid,has a 40hp motor,headlining only in the middle section,chrome hubcaps and blade bumpers,stainless moudings on each side,no glove box lid or fuel guage,interior light and door switches,2 tone grey and red early type seats,aluminium inserts in all the windows,stainless exterior mouldings around both door windows,but black vent windows,catches and window runners.Everything you need for the sunroof is still available new.I can't see from the pic where your cable is damaged-just the plastic guide cover is broken.The felt seals that go around the opening are missing,but are still available.I have fitted one into my oval from a 66 and stripped it all out and replaced all the plastic guides and seals.My 2 cables were still OK,so just washed and re greased.B4 you pull it apart,contact me and I will give you a couple of clues on things that I did wrong.I have a Type3 workshop manual with a sunroof section-so can copy and send to you.

[ Edited on 18-8-2007 by nbturbo ]

[ Edited on 18-8-2007 by nbturbo ]

Thanks for your replys folks - I think that there is a good chance that I have a Deluxe model with a Custom badge on the back lid, and it would appear that if this grey sealant is reusuable, then I would say that whoever converted the car to 12 volt has probably fitted the later speedo (with fuel gauge) and later blanking plate on the left of the speedo too.

This car has all of the Deluxe features (full headlining, chrome in all the normal places, no hole for the reserve tap, etc, and I know that the rear guards have been replaced recently (by the last owner) so there is a chance that he also replaced the rear lid and/or badges.

Interestingly, I recently came across someone who remembers this car from around 10 years ago - he tells me that it was owned by a student and one of the Uni's in Brisbane, and that it was driven very hard . The owner before me had it for several years after purchasing it from a 'cheapie' car yard (with the intention of restoring it - but lost interest when he was told that the parts for the sunroof were only available second hand, and at a very high price), so this kind of re-traces its history up to around 10 years ago.

Nbturbo, I will fire off an U2U to you in the next couple of days as I am very interested in any info related to repairing the roof - yes, the guide cover is broken, and the roof is able to be moved back and forward by hand - the winder appears to move the cables but the roof section doesn't move - I suspect that the cables are broken at the back of the sliding section - of course the back of the slider section does not lift up when it is fully closed either (I assume that the damaged cables are at fault here too).

I have all sorts of plans for this car - but first I must get my never-ending-Baja-project finished ... I just don't have the space to take another car apart!

R