did beetles after a certain year come out with fold down flat rear seats? or would it be a custom install?

afaik all bugs did that
pre 67 had a rubber strap on the drivers side that was hooked over a catch on the wheel arch and 68 on had better latch system on both sides with a pull handle on the passengers side
and also a strap that held it in the folded down postion
altho most bugs are missing that these days
both of my 74 bugs also had factory parcel trays attatched to the backseat
anyone know if that was standard or an option?

-Joel

[ Edited on 6-10-2006 by DUB74L ]

Both of my 74 bugs have the parcel shelf and straps attached , so they must be standard

Found this:
"In 1965, when German cars got bigger windows, better wipers, lever operated heater, and better brakes, Aussie cars kept the older body, but gained the rounded topped front seats and the folding rear seat."

From here:
http://members.netro.com.au/~vwcc/mathews.htm 

Does that mean they weren't there until 1965?

Yes,
although the early seats did fold over...
they didn't lay flat from memory...

I have been told that seats in the Australian Beetles were different to that from the German Beetles..
plus I've read where seats were different from USA beetles...
I;ve read where the headrests were made smaller in USA beetles at least twice...

All beetles should have had the folding rear seat with a cover for the rear luggage compartment.. IMHO...

Lee

Sorry to be hijacking this thread a bit, but I had another question about the back seat storage compartment here: http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=58401 

Any help is much appreciated

Beetle seat will fold flat in all pre 67s, to get a complete flat seat lift the base out, fold front seats forward and u have enough room for a matress! the beetle was very ergonomic!

OK,
I'll try to measure the space behind the rear seat tomorrow...
Raining here at present...

the space would be specified in VW literature back then and in the owners manuals...

Lee