G'day folks,
looking at a beetle, donk says 1500, chassis nine numbers, first five are 19521****.
Can't seem to clearly identify, Aussie build, think '67.
Can anyone help?
good on you !
Phil.

Further information,
it is 12V, has not been converted to the best of my knowledge[and that's not much].
It has a 1500cc in it, identified as late '66, early '67 production, H09*****
Might help some what !?

This has been fun, who'd a thought, discs, 1500, in '65 !
Seems that's the answer. Thanks pod, spot on!
Would still like to nail down when, any clues on production records availability, freedom of information and all that ! Must be somewhere.
regards
Phil.

65 at a guess

Hate to say it but sounds like you found a bitsa.
If the chassis number is 195 its an aussiebuilt 65.
1500 engines, 12volt and disc brakes didnt come in till fatchicks started in 68

Don't rely on overseas sites for model info, aussie factory built them to very different specs to US, europe etc

What do the symbols / brand on the glass say , as if there sercurit glass it is an imported car and may well be a weido with a big back window in a early shell as produced overseas , show us some pics !!!

65 chassis number the engine could have been replaced 10 times over

Thanks all,
Yep, a 65, with the other unusual additions, unmarked pans, more than likely replaced, someone sometime ago spent a quid on this, would part out for twice the asking, I might just do it !




ps: done it !! give me a few months, I'll post some pictures completed.

It won't be an import, 9 in the chassis number means it came out the aus factory doors

First three digits of the chassis number tell the tale.

1 = Beetle
9 = Manufactured in Australia. Euro/US Beetles have a 1 here. Samba etc don't recognise the '9' as they don't know about Australian made Beetles.
5 = Year model. 1965 in other words.

Originally this car was 6-volt, drum brake and 40-hp 1200cc engine. But it's been 45 years since it rolled off the Melbourne production line. Yes the H engine is from a 1968-on 1500 Beetle. Does it really have front disc brakes ?

Sadly no, there are no specific Australian production records still in existence. VW Australasia went out of business in 1968 and the national franchise was taken over by LNC Industries. They lost the franchise in 1987, and since then Ateco, TKM and Inchcape have all had the VW franchise at various times. The records have long been lost, probably thrown out in the 1960s or, at the latest, 1977 when Nissan bought the factory.

The best we can do nowadays is annual Australian VW sales, which we compiled from various sources (mostly the FCAI). Go to http://www.clubvw.org.au/history/history.html  for the in-depth Aussie VW history, and detailed annual sales figures. For example, in 1965 (your model), VW sold 18,077 VW 1200s, 3,158 1500 Type 3 models, 4,311 Kombis and 31 Karmann Ghias in Australia.

To further 'nail down' when your car was built, there are a couple of places to look. Inspect each of the five wheel centres, under the hubcaps, for the date stamp. The road wheels may not be original after all these years, but your spare might. Also look at the back of the speedo for a date stamp. And also under the chrome covers on the front blinkers (if they are original).

Thanks all again,
No doubt about it, 1965 with a 1500, however, as I mentioned too nice to part, been swapping bit's to and fro a '68, might tidy up for some up and coming "bugger" to have fun with. At the very least it's only has another 30/50 years in it !
Have a safe festive season,
and tighten those fuel lines!, my kombi popped one off the other day, didn't know if I should light a cigarette [don't smoke], or turn her off, and tighten it up. Love her too much, and I didn't have any marshmellows!

Regards.
Phil

Now on nine VW's, 3 kombi's, a '70 1600 fastback, 2 bug converts, a '58, '69, and now a '65 beetle. Don't Start!!!!