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What year is this beetle
schnidlee - January 24th, 2011 at 08:11 PM

My old man has a beetle and is trying to figure out what year it is. The chassis number is 197591361, from what he found it's Dec 66, does that sound right? Cheers.

Matt

vw54 - January 24th, 2011 at 08:16 PM

1967 simple

schnidlee - January 24th, 2011 at 09:23 PM

Thanks, was it built Dec 66 making it a 67 or was it built in 67?

vw54 - January 25th, 2011 at 06:44 AM

the cahange over was in August so a Dec 66 build is a 67 and the chassis number indicates 1967 from the first 3 numbers 197

it may have various dated stamped item like on speedo n fuel gauge and wheels etc that have been made in 66 but fitted in 67

schnidlee - January 25th, 2011 at 07:34 AM

Thanks mate really appreciate it. We thought 67 but at the same time we found info saying 4 wheel drum and recessed door handles ended in 66 but his beetle has them. Thanks again.

vw54 - January 25th, 2011 at 10:47 AM

Quote:

we found info saying 4 wheel drum and recessed door handles ended in 66 but his beetle has them.



if you were reading info from America that would be true

Aussie cars were different

Sides - January 25th, 2011 at 11:54 AM

Hmm... thought I read somewhere that Beetles never got discs in the US... only Ghia's and Cabrio's ???

lou0060 - January 25th, 2011 at 06:54 PM

whatever vw54 says is right......

:crazy::crazy::crazy:

ancientbugger - January 25th, 2011 at 09:17 PM

Cabriolets never got discs in the US:( Well mine is one of the last built and has drums all round...not that I want them.

sleckie1974 - January 25th, 2011 at 09:21 PM

hi,
sorry for jacking ur post but can u guys tell me what year mine will be chassis # 196509030?
muchly appreciated :tu:
scott

68AutoBug - January 26th, 2011 at 12:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by schnidlee
Thanks mate really appreciate it. We thought 67 but at the same time we found info saying 4 wheel drum and recessed door handles ended in 66 but his beetle has them. Thanks again.


67 German beetles were one year only with round button push door handles etc....

all beetles in usa had drum brakes...
all beetles in usa from 1969 had irs rear ends
large glass in 1965....

Lee

68AutoBug - January 26th, 2011 at 12:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sleckie1974
hi,
sorry for jacking ur post but can u guys tell me what year mine will be chassis # 196509030?
muchly appreciated :tu:
scott


its a 1966 model VW YEAR

made between 1st august 1965 and 31st july 1966

made in Australia

LEE

sleckie1974 - January 26th, 2011 at 04:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 68AutoBug
Quote:
Originally posted by sleckie1974
hi,
sorry for jacking ur post but can u guys tell me what year mine will be chassis # 196509030?
muchly appreciated :tu:
scott


its a 1966 model VW YEAR

made between 1st august 1965 and 31st july 1966

made in Australia

LEE


thanks LEE :tu:

Phil74Camper - January 26th, 2011 at 08:32 PM

The August model year change is for German Beetles. NOT AUSTRALIA. New year changes generally came in in February or March, after the Xmas holiday period, NOT the previous August. Then this model was made for the rest of the calendar year and into the next. They did NOT become 'next year's model' in August.

Australian-manufactured Beetles from 1965-mid-68 had a '9' as the second chassis digit. The THIRD digit tells you the year model.

197591361 is 1967, not late 1966. Australian 1966-1967 Beetles are practically identical and are also very similar to 1964-65 models. Australian Beetles did not get the multiple year-year changes that Euro/US Beetles did, and the '67 still had 1300 motor, all drums, dome hubcups, small windows, 6V, early lights etc etc.

196509030 is 1966. Again, almost certainly made DURING 1966, not from the previous August. Look at the back of the speedo, or on the wheel centres (between the wheel bolts) for MM/YY date stamps.