Are there any differences in Beetles around the world that i can get for my beetle?

Cos my gf works for an airline and travels (mainly to europe)

Cos i heard there are some difference with Italian Beetles with their tail lights. I have the US spec tail lights which are cool but are there any other differences to beetles cosmetically than the aussie ones eg- differnt hub caps, etc, etc?

Up until about 1962, Aussie Beetles were pretty much the same as European Beetles. The Australian factory started in 1954 by assembling CKD kits from Germany, and over the next six years gradually increased the Australian content. They started with easy things like Aussie glass, tyres, batteries, upholstery and so on. The first locally-made body panels were pressed in 1959.

By 1962 the local content had reached 50%. The tail-lights you mention were fitted to Australian Beetles in 1961/62 - they were larger than the familiar earlier red 'reflector' taillights as they had an orange blinker at the top, but they were smaller than the familiar 63-67 tail light. Italy was the only other country that used them. I wouldn't try to fit these if you don't already have them - new lenses are made of unobtainium.

Anyway, differences with Euro Beetles began to appear from 1963 onwards. Many of the improvements that are listed for Euro or US-spec Beetles are not applicable to Aussie '63-'67 Beetles. The Australian factory, having such a small turnover compared with Wolfsburg, simply couldn't afford to match the constant updating that the German factory did.

For example, the Germans introduced the larger window body in 1965; we didn't see that until 1968 when the CKD Beetle returned. Basically, the Australian 1963-1967 Beetles are pretty much the same car with only minor detail changes over that time. The German car changed enormously in the same period. The only major change we got was the 1300 engine in 1966.

When local manufacture ceased in 1968, Australian buyers suddenly went from the locally made tarted-up 1962 model to the modern overseas 1968 model in one swoop. VWA even advertised it as the '68 Revolution' - it really was. Only then did we see the big window body, disk brakes, 12 volt electrics, 1500 motor, ball joint front...of course the wipers were on the wrong side and so was the bonnet pull, but that was the price we paid to catch up.

There is one good thing about Aussie '62-67 Beetles I can think of - the VDO fuel gauge beside the speedo is electric. German Beetles of the time had a direct mechanical gauge, which showed the fuel level all the time. Perfect for thieves to see your VW has a full tank. Aussie gauges (made by VDO in Melbourne) only worked with the ignition on. Rather cool I think.

talk about alot of information in one person's head!
man you're a wealth of info... write a book and i'll buy it.

Thanks for that!

Actually I already have - it was called 'Knowing Australian Volkswagens' and I co-wrote it with Dave Long in 1993. It's out of print now, unfortunately, but the Club Veedub library has a copy that can be borrowed.

I'm slowly updating and expanding it in my spare time for a future second edition, maybe in 2003 if I'm lucky. I may have to wait for Dave Long to die of old age first though!

The German Beetles made in 1965-66 & the unique 1967 had many differences as Phil mentioned.... The 1967 Beetle had round push button door handles similar to the early type 3's..... Available ONLY in 1967... plus there were flat hubcaps for 5 stud wheels... What about a Kmh speedo, I have managed to source two of these in Australia.... an early and a late one... but both are NOT for sale.....
Best Wishes with Your Buying...
Lee:rudolf

when u say flat hubcaps do u mean like the little ones of the 1970's or do u mean like flat ones that cover the whole wheel?

got any pics, these sound a little tasty:bounce

:tree:rudolf:rudolf:beer