Hi there.
I have a bug, that i have had for a couple of years, and it is feeling a bit sad. I am trying to work out what mode it is,and havng some issues. i was told it was a 1959 model, however it seems to have the wrong features. from the engine number, it appears that the engine is a 1966 model (F series) But the body doesn't seem t be (it has a foot operated headling dimmer, a VW onthe bonnet, an twist handle onthe engine cover,and side windscreen defrosters.

However the chassis number seems to have been filed off (which worries me some..) The rego papers say that it is 19614750. From the sites I have seen, this does not appear to be a valid VW number, however thoses sites were US based. can someone confirm or deny that this is an invalid format?

the chassis number should be on a plate in the front of the car, behind the sparewheel.. and then again on the chassis under the back seat. are both missing?

*Start Shameless Plug*
if you do find a chassis number (the one u posted seems to be invalid) go to http://www.vwfool.tk,  and check the chassis number on the chassis identifyer, i did a lot of reasearch into the numbers so im confident that it willl give u the right year, with any valid chassis number

it does not exclude factory convertibles or Auto-Sticks either.

*End Shameless Plug*

hope this helps

also, failing finding a chassis number, post a few pics, as im sure the model year can be found out, there are a lot of people on the forums who will be able to point out characteristics unique to a certain model, and be able to come up with a pretty good guess on the beetles year

Yes foot dimmer switches stayed in Australia until the New 1968 Beetle arrived.
Same with the defrosters, VW Badge & twist handle on the engine lid... although some Beetles did have the push button engine lid lock... instead of the twist handle...
My Son has 2 of them... they are a mystery...

So far as I know, Volkswagen Australasia in Clayton produced the 63 Beetle with Very few changes into 1967...
Overseas there were many differences, as all the changes on the 1968 Beetle , were gradually introduced in 1965-66 & the One Year special in 1967....
I haven't checked the number yet...

Lee
Its a shame We didn't get these German beetles....

68AutoBug: does this apply to the engine as well/ ine is an F series..which was 1300 for ony 66. did this happenin oz too?

I will post some pikkys when my wife ges home with the digital.
anything in particuar i should focus on?

oh, and yes, th plate behind the spare is not there either.

I'm NOT 100% sure on numbers from Volkswagen Australasia
Most numbers do seem to correspond with the german series

Your Chassis could be anything....

What do Your tail lamps look like?
Is the number plate lamp approx 100mm or more like 200mm+ the wide ones came in 1964>...
Does Your car have a fuel gauge? blinkers/indicators?


Lee

your engine could have been changed along the way
a lot of vw's do not have the original engine in them anymore
marcel

OK, here are the pics. Please,andcoments are welcome.




someone apparently thought it would be good to paint it black (not me) and it did catch fire at one stage (hence the black on the firewall)

After 62, and before 67... Fuel guage came in in 62. No Wolfsburg crest on the bonnet (front) near the bottom of the chrome strip. Don't know much but it might help..

looks like 62 small front blinkers fuel gauge

the engine is an F series, which i understand is 66. Does it seem likely that it is a 66 body as well? Since the chassis number is filed off i am worried that it is a bitsa, possibly having been stolen and some stage.

looks like a 65-66 to me

The chassis # Indicates a '66 as does the engine so it would appear that someone had a '66 Beetle that they pranged and had a '62-'63 and just swapped the plates on and engine in but got rid of the ID numbers, so just get hold of a set of number punches and make it valid.
Cheers, Ian.