TheSamba.com :: View topic - Help a complete beginner VIN / Engine Number locations

Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:03 am

Hi

I'm going to look at an oval window beetle tomorrow morning, which looks to be in really good condition. I've been trying to find out more about the car, and was going to use the VIN list on this site, but don't know where to find the numbers on the car!

I've had a search of the forums, but can't find the answer...

Could you explain where to find them? Thanks in advance!

Mark

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Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:19 am

Pull the backseat up and look for the VIN #'s stamped in the tunnel by the shift rod coupler access plate. Also, the body should have an ID plate riveted behind the spare tire next to the brake fluid reservoir with the vehicle body number stamped below it.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:51 am

Thanks!!

Where can I find the engine number, is this easily accessable?

Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:58 am

The engine number is stamped on the generator stand directly under the generator.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 5:12 am

thanks again!!

I'm a bit comfused now, because the number stamped just under the generator (altenator?) is the firing order (1-4-3-2), then:

422-06-198

Which doesn't seem to be consistent with any of the engine numbers for the year ('58)

Am I missing something really obvious here??

Thanks for you help!

Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:03 am

mark_h wrote: thanks again!!

I'm a bit comfused now, because the number stamped just under the generator (altenator?) is the firing order (1-4-3-2), then:

422-06-198

Which doesn't seem to be consistent with any of the engine numbers for the year ('58)

Am I missing something really obvious here??

Thanks for you help!

The "422" number is the cars engine number and will differ from the chassis number that is correct in your literature for the year of car. The chassis number is only located under the rear seat and on the front luggage area rivited tag behind the spare. The 4321 is simply the firing order of the engine that is stamped on all generator stands.
Check some info on the engine numbers to see if you have the correct numbered engine for your car to match the corresponding chassis number. Good luck!

Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:20 am

The engine number is stamped under the firing order on the stand. I am guessing the engine numbers 42206198 are for a late 59, early 60 36 hp engine.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 9:46 am

Hey Mark...Is the engine complete and running? What year is the oval? Reason I ask is, I have an Oct '60 Beetle, with a March '55 engine, and was hoping to find a correct era engine for mine. It runs great and all, just incorrect. Let me know?

Sat Jul 23, 2005 7:10 pm

Hi again

The engine is complete and running (very well in fact!) but I'm still a little confused about the engine number, and if it is correct.

According to the service manual, the car was first registered in Perth, Western Australia, and has a chassis number 1780459. This indicates (according to the VIN numbers stored here on thesamba.com) a January 58 car. The original engine number (again according to the service booklet) was 2173826, again consistent with a January 58 car.

My engine number (422-06-198) seems to have too many digits to be consistent with any engine numbers listed, and also seems to bear no relationship to the original engine number (see above).

Can anyone tell me what year engine this must be, according to its 422-06-198 number? I've got myself really confused!!! :?

Thanks again for all your help!

Sat Jul 23, 2005 8:25 pm

A previous owner may have swapped out the orig engine for a different one. Hence, the numbers that are in the service book no longer match the engine currently installed

Sun Jul 24, 2005 12:13 am

Here you see the locations on VIN etc. numbers:

http://www.kabriolett.com/stvw/numbers.htm

Sun Jul 24, 2005 12:58 am

Thanks for all your help.

I've been to see the car now, and the chassis number seems to indicate that it was made in Jan 1958.

The engine number still puzzles me though. It has 8 digits, but all the engine numbers listed on this site under the "Technical" tab only have 7

Can anyone tell me what year (and any other information that may go with it) goes with the engine number:

422-06-198

The car looks amazing, could become an Oval owner in the next couple of weeks!!

Thanks

Mark

Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:27 am

Quote: I've been to see the car now, and the chassis number seems to indicate that it was made in Jan 1958.

Are you referring to the number on the pan, the VIN plate in the trunk, or the number stamped into the body itself, below the VIN plate? I realize the Aussie versions had some lingering features, compared to U.S., etc., but a Jan. '58 car shouldn't be an oval (5 months late). Could be an oval body on a Jan '58 pan? Compare the # found on the pan (under rear seat area), to the # found on the VIN plate in the trunk. Pretty sure these should match. They would be your "chassis #". The # stamped into the actual body (below the VIN plate) would be your "body"#.

Someone please clarify if I'm mistaken?

Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:34 pm

Hi

Here are the various number from the car:

VW VIN badge numbers (the plate is underneath the spare wheel, near the bottom of the trunk 1121461

The body number (stamped into the body immediately below the VIN plate described above) MKA 12271

The chassis number, which should be stamped underneath the rear seat (usually on the LHS of the car) 1121461

Engine Number (just beneath firing order, on altenator bracket) 422-06-198

This seems to indicate (according to http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php) a Feb '56 chassis, with a Dec '55 body - am I correct?

It still leaves me wondering what engine is in the car, can anyone help with that?

Thanks again for all your help!!