i need help working out my engine year AD284990.
just found out how to work out chassis year (only good for 1965 onwards), the first two numbers on VIN are 11=bug
14=ghia, the third number indicates witch year eg. 2 would mean 1972, 5 would be 1965 or 75. difference in body shape should take away any confusion in mixing up 60's and70's

Your engine is from 1971 (1 Aug 70 to 31 July 71). I found the information here:
http://www.vw-resource.com/years.html#1971-1980

[Edited on 16-1-2005 by andrewh]

AD 0,000,001 - AD 0,360,022 1600 twin port engine.

AD 0,284,990 would have actually been made in early 1971.

the VW 1971 year went from 1 Aug 70 - 31st July 71

what if you chassis and body numbers are different?

check under the back seat near the battery, there should be a number stamped into the body, that should be the shassis no.