Howdy All,

Brand new to the forum, just bought a VW in the first time for 15 years.

Have had many bugs, type 3s and a few buses in the past, but have now got the resources to start playing with cars again.

Wondering if you the masters of chassis numbers can help me figure what year the bug I just bought is?

The guy sold it to me as a 62 model, but the chassis starts off as 3052***!

My research and may be wrong, but this tells me it's a 60 model! Your input is appreciated!

Will get some images up tonight if anyone's interested in my little Barn/ Carport find


Cheers Grub,

OK - I could be wrong as well, but I agree, it may be a 1960??

http://www.vw-resource.com/years.html#1951-1960 

1960 (1 Jan 60 to 31 Dec 60)
Chassis 2,801,614 - 3,192,506
Engine 3,424,454 - 3,912,903

Recessed steering wheel for safety.
Steering damper.
Steering box is worm-and-peg instead of worm and roller.
Generator increased from 160 to 180 watts (26.5 to 30 amps).
Outside door handles now push button (was pull type).
Padded sun visor.
Seat back re-contoured.
Wolfsburg crest on front hood has less colour.
Last year for semaphores in Europe, Canada, Australia.

Thanks for the feedback, just been out cleaning it up as it hasn't been on the road since 98.

As everyone likes to hear the find story, found it in the net, guy was selling it cause his dad is no longer to complete the restoration due to illness.

Looks to have a late engine lid and reco'd motor with all the new bits. Did fire it up before buying but this morning with a healthy slurp of fuel, fired into life real quick.

So will recheck the car over again, but looks to only need some simple bodywork, some wiring and new trim. Will be fun!

Will get some images up as soon as I can get to the laptop, can't seem to figure out uploading images from a iPhone

Cheers Grub

So after picking it up on Friday, and going over the bug on Saturday to see what I have. Note: last registered 1998.

A quick inspection, found the common spots for rust. So the quick once over has now turned into a quick body off rust repair to get to the heater channels

I finally got stuck into it after making a quick trip down to the VW Nats at Fairfield on Sunday to see if i could source some parts at the swap meet. Only collected Hoodlining and Tailpipes

Following is a few pics, from how I found it, to cleaning it down and the strip.

Please comment on what year you think it is, as I am comming to the conclusion, with the chassis number starting off with 305, and the older Fuel Tank, suggests 1960!

Also anyone have a clue to the engine size from the number here?

Cheers!

So as most will notice, the engine lid is a later model and front indicators.

Keen to hear what else is not original, if you don't mind

Cheers Grub.

Engine,

Owner said it was fully reco'd and a quick inspection:

New Heads, tubes indicate this.

New Fuel Pump, Generator and Carb.

The Rust repairs start, now off with that Body!

So here is the Interior, also indicating a 1960 model.

Can someone tell me when the Fuel gauge was introduced into the dash fascia??

its definitely a bitza

If a 1960 it should have -
a crest badge on the hood
ghlass snow flake tail lights
no seat belt anchor points
no fuel gauge
a beak on the engine lid
push button door handles

You seen to have some of these

Does the chassis number match the on on the pan under the back seat?

The rear guards are probably original, those 62+ tail lights are lower than normal where the 50/50s used to mount.

Its a cross over 60 model when alot of changes were happening so its a mix of early and late.

Can see it was originally a 36hp car with the early tank, metal speedo cable tube, no oh-shit handle but has the later push button door handles, indicators not semaphores, padded visors and the later steering column with what would have been the dished horn ring style steering wheel.

^ as per Joel and no towel rails on the bumpers (no holes therefore no extra supports thru the front apron) Should have narrow front indicators that sit closer to the body, where yours are. And you'll have a hole in the body where the fuel reserve tap would stick through (if it's not there presently)

This is definitely a mid 1960 beetle the choke cable indicates that it had the 36hp motor. Check the back of the speedo, the date stamped will hopefully give a good indication.

The Speedo is stamped 1957, but not thinking I got the right number off it, Will take a image of it soon.

And yes the reserve switch is there, above the tunnel.

Here's a question: what year did semaphones cease?

Mid 60, just before your bug would have been made.

The body number suggests that it is a 1960, I have a 60 and the body number starts with 2993424, the speedo is stamped 5/60,also you have the three finger front panel.( latch support panel).

Looks like a mid '60, with a lot of later bits added.

good luck
big job ahead of you.
hope you get it all done .

Ok guys, firstly really appreciate the comments and yes it has turned into a little bigger project than I thought, but hey since I plan on keeping it, need to do it right!

So where am up to now, is going from only doing the passenger side heater channel to doing both heater channels, both rear cross members and the inner guard on the p/s side. This makes common sense whilst the body's off.

Appreciate any feedback if there's any tricks I should know to lookout for whilst installing these repair panels.

I noticed that while the dimensions on the cross ermembers are correct, they are different to the ones removed and will need massaging. Anyone else came across this? Bought from Just Kampers

On another note, looking to weld them in this weekend!

Cutting out the Swiss cheese in the inner guard

Rear p/s crossmember out

You wouldn't of guessed, more rust found!

Old crossmember vs new replacement. You will see there is a few differences where it welds up to the rear apron, plus the extension on the new part inside the rear arch.

Curious, anyone done this and tips??

in for a penny - in for a pound

Great stuff mate
Should have a ripper when you are finished

This is what's in stall for this weekend!

Guys, if anyone is interested, I've started a new Facebook page to follow my build but also have others contribute photos of their builds. I noticed their is not a page o Facebook covering this, so thought why not start one!

Anyway along with build images, I am also including eBay and Gumtree finds along with some cool finished VW's!

The page is "VW Restorers Australia" please like and share and hopefully build the VW lifestyle!

Cheers Grub!