So these may sound like silly questions so please excuse my
lack of knowledge. Interested in late 1960's Beetles only.

From what I can make out the 1967 model was the last one made in Australia, 1300cc, drum brakes, small indicators and still 6 volts.

From 1968 not made in Oz? Front disk brakes 1300cc to 1500cc, strut front end, cv rear ends, 12 volts, bigger indicators and semi auto box option.

So to sum up the 67's are way more classic but the 68/69s
much nicer to drive and have more herbs!

So were the Oz ones made better than the later ones and which model would you buy as a daily?

68 - 70 was 1500cc, no 1300cc available. Disc brake front if it is a semi auto. NO STRUTS! struts didn't come till super bug in 1970.
They had a 'ball joint' torsion bar front end, unlike the 67, which has king and linkpin torsion bar front.
Only the semi auto came with CVs on the rear as it was the only model offered between 68-70 with IRS rear as opposed to the swing axle manual. yes it was 12 volt.

Only major difference between a standard manual 68-70 1500 and 67' 1300cc was the bigger motor, ball joint front, 12 volt, and the body which was heading towards the later shape, 'kinda' in between.

My 1500 says it was made in germany, as much as i love it the 67' has far more classic lines IMHO.

A 67 beetle is basically no different to a 61-66 model in Australia.
Overseas is a way different story.
the engine went from 1200 to 1300 in 66 and minor cosmetic changes but aside from that nothing is dramatically different.

The big swap happened in 68 when fatchicks started.

Chris has pretty much covered it.
but basically the standard non super beetle from 68-75 is the same car

only difference being the 68-70 are all disc front brake where as 71-75 is drum and the 68-70 were 1500 single port and the 71-75 was 1300 twin port.

few minor safety changes as time went on, elephants tail lights in 73 and highback seats and padded dash but aside from that not a real lot changed.

the 1500 beetles were the imports and I am pretty sure from 71 on (superbugs) were still assembled in australia. I had a 72 1300, but this model still swing axle and drum brakes all round (poverty pack)

Phil will be able to give you figures and dates etc but all late bugs after 68 were assembled at Clayton in Melbourne from CKD kits.

The only fully imported ones were Semi automatics.

The last 76 bugs were bitsas using the left overs as bug production shut down.

They were the standard 1300 bodies but they used the Lbug engine and gearbox with IRS rear end.

Thanks everyone, so which year would be a better daily? I guess later is better, or is it? I would also imagine king pins have a shorter life than ball joints and easier to work on maintenance wise?

I have a 69 beetle so its rear swing arms and ball joint front end, I have been told from a few in the know that the 68 - 70 had the best of both worlds with the earlier looks but with better mechanics. I have front discs and a 1600 twin port motor.

I will always like the early bugs for looks but I do prefer the handling of my 69 but its only my opinion

Oh boy thats a big can of worms.
Everyone has different opinions and it also depends what you want from the vehicle.

If its just a daily driver or you like to do abit of performance orientated driving can make all the difference.

'68 and later beetle is a much better car for daily driving.

12 volt, front disc brakes, 4 stud wheels, ball joints no king pins, bigger windows, better wipers, better door locks, crumple steering column, better seats, more power better cooling with vented engine lids, and a 1600 twin port bolts straight in.

The best of the best is a '69 - '70 model semi auto bug, converted to manual, you then get the double joint rear end with ball joint front end and a much better body shell and sound proofing than a '76, and it is fully imported from Germany.

All up a much better car, just not the classic looks of the earlys.

Let the worms run free