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66 oz bug = ? US
silver - February 19th, 2009 at 07:48 PM

I am confused as to which US model uses the same body parts as an aussie 66
any one have the info?
Thanks Silver

sander288 - February 19th, 2009 at 08:17 PM

it should be a '64 bug in US, I have an Oz '67 deluxe and buying 64 parts works best

68AutoBug - February 19th, 2009 at 10:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by silver
I am confused as to which US model uses the same body parts as an aussie 66
any one have the info?
Thanks Silver


Hi
Yes, You can use the 1964 beetle for most things as the German Beetles started to change in 1965 -
Large Glass like the 68 beetle..
the 1967 GERMAN made Beetle was a one year only beetle... it had outside door handles only used on 1967 beetles.. Vertical headlamps... etc

So, the Aussie 66 Beetle was just the same as the 1962 German beetle... and just continued to be made...
in Australia

until late 1967 when some 1968 German beetles were imported
into Australia [1968 VW Year after 31st July 1967]
and then they were CKD assembled in Australia after that.

You will notice on most websites that Beetle parts suit
1960--1964 etc..

I think the 1964 German beetles door glass was different too, going from one of My manuals..

All the changes We got in 1968 beetles was slowly phased in, in German made beetles from 1965-67..
so many parts from a 1965-67 German beetle won't fit...

cheers

LEE

silver - February 20th, 2009 at 06:16 AM

thanks to you both

Phil74Camper - February 20th, 2009 at 06:42 AM

This is basically a trap for new players.

Pre-1965 German/US Beetles and Aussie Beetles basically the same; only minor differences in trim and fittings (eg. Aussie 1961-62 tail-lights are unique; Aussie '64s had the '63 horn ring and pump washers).

They differed from 1965. German/US Beetles got the new larger-window body shell, then various major improvements every year.

Aussie Beetles did not. Aussie-made 1965, 1966 and 1967 Beetles are basically 1964 Beetles - so don't buy US '65, '66 or '67 parts for them. The 'Euro' '68 was introduced in March 1968, firstly fully imported, then locally assembled from German kits after September 1968. The Aussie Deluxe '67 ended in March 1968, but the Standard continued until September 1968.

Yes the German model year starts the previous August, but during the manufacturing years in Australia the model year started in Feb (after the Xmas break). For CKD assembly, the parts might have been updated the previous August but it took six months for them to filter through to Melbourne.

In US-speak, you could say Australiia got 1962, '63, '64, '64, '64, '64, '68, '69 etc Beetles.