I have just gotten hold of an old VW beetle that is not registered and has had the top taken off post production maybe around 20 years ago. No Modification plate on it anywhere that I can see. I have been told it is a 1971 model but am not sure how to find out.

Now I need to find out what model it is, find out how to get it on the road with no modification plate or paperwork. I am not even sure where to start.
I have wanted to get another beetle for 15 years (My very first car was one) and now my kids are big enough to not want to go anywhere with me I can, but any help to get me on the road would be appreciated!!!
Any Help?
Wendy

If you can find the old registration number or label, that is a good start. If it was already registered before as a top off (roadster), then no mod plate or engineers certificate will be required. But you need to prove this. Usually in Vic, they change the rego to read Volkswagen roadster instead of sedan.

Look under the back seat and in the middle of the floor will be a chassis number. Post the number here and someone will be able to give you an indication of the build date.

Best way to tell is the headlights - lights like 'Herbie' (approx 8.5 inches diamter) means 1967 or earlier; approx 6-inch, upright healdight with flat glass means 1968 or later

But that's not 100% - someone may have changed front guards over the years

take a pic and someone will tell you. Pre-72 doesn't need a complience plate (or so some dipstick at the RTA) told me today, after the blue slip guy banged on about the lack of one.

Hi

Best to give us a chassis number 1st. Also does it have struts and a lay down spare? Does it have a flat, bent (almost flat) or curved windscreen?

Steve

I heard no compliance plate was needed too, BUT you do need the chasis number, which u can find on the hump under the seat near the battery tray.

According to my RTA guy the compliance gives them VIN number and is different to the engineers (plate) which is tacked onto body....And has a report...The (RTA) guy said some people in RTA confuse the two... The guy explained it like this:
The car should have a chasis number, under the seat. pre 72 the compliance plate by the factory was optional. Som did it, some didn't. However, some changes or modifications being made to the car require an engineers report, and some of them also require an additional plate be fixed to the body of the car as well. But not all mods require a plate. He gave the example of a 'grey import' they have they own compliance plate issued by the Factories, but when they come to AUSt, and needs mods to meet out level of standards...U also need an engineers report, and he will attached further 'compliance' plates to show the car is 'modified'


Is that clear as mud????? I thought so.

Also, as the boys above said, if it's been registered before as a choptop, you should be able to get it registered again without need for an engineers cert. But if u haven't, then u may need to now.

And don't forget u may also need to get a cert done if any other 'minor' mods have been done to the car, even if it may have made the car safer. These often include:
New inertia seat belts
New/different seats that have been modifed (to seats or the rails) in any way to fit the car.
Especially if it hasn't been registered with the modifications having been noted in those registrations.

But, to start with, grab the chasis number from under the seat. Also, if u can post pics of the car, that will help. And if not, just try to grab as detailed a discription as u can. What windscreen looks like. How does the spare sit under the hood. Do u have a choke inside the car. What do ur tailights looks like. And what does the reverse light housing look like.

All these things help identify the year of ur car.

Here is a photo, not to clear but it has a curved windscreen I have not as yet gotten under the seats but will before I go any further, in the meantime I thank everyone so much, I really appreciate it.

[ Edited on 28-5-2006 by evoj ]

That's a 73-75 'L Bug'.
-Staggers.

Nice paint job by the way.
-Staggers.

It had been sitting in a garage and the lady wanted $1800.00 just to take it away, some one elses loss is my gain I say.

Now does that mean it will have to have a mod plate because it is post 1972, to get it registered. I am up in Mackay and we do have a little garage that works on VW near here, but I am not sure if we have an engineer that I know of if I have to take that road.

Wendy

Hi Wendy,

I've never seen the top cut off a 1303S superbug before.

Most are standard suspension beetles...

As someone else noted, its a 73-74-75 model Beetle
mistakenly called an L bug... there is no such thing...
It should have a badge on the rear "Volkswagen L"
The "L" was for Luxury... but its a model 1303S type 1.

cheers Wendy

Lee

So it has been registered in the past but I was told by the previous owner that I may hav trouble now as it is out of rego, I still took it because I figered it was worth the trouble, but she said as it had been cut off and has no paper work as to who did the job it m ay be to much trouble, if no one took it from her she was wrecking it, shame really.

I cant find a chassis number under the seat, nothing there, can see where it might have been though, will this be trouble?

Wendy

Hi 68 auto bug

I thought the type 1 was only until 1968 and after that they started the 1200, 1300, 1500 etc. Is that right?

Wendy

Hi,
i have exactly the same problem, i cant tell what year my beetle is also.
its got a flat windscreen, without any rego sticker
the headlights have been modified so i can't tell if it used to have 8.5" or 6",
it's Chassis number is S21524
Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks, Cam

hey guys,
appreciate your help, very usefull. i foind out that he's a 1962 model!
i look forward to getting him on the road and coming out to meets and things!