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Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:22 pm

About a month and a half ago I bought myself a '69 and renewed my love for all things air-cooled. My '69 is certainly not as 'correct' as I would like, but for the price I paid I'm not going to complain.

I have been thinking about getting something older, and came across this '65. I'd like some help from the gurus at determining just how 'correct' the car is for a '65.

According to the VIN the car was built in June 1965.

I do know it's been switched to 12v, looks like a 12v genny with regulator mounted to the fan shroud. Engine has been changed at some point to a 1500cc from a '69 (based on the engine serial). Looks like the dash has been cut for an aftermarket stereo - this I would need to fix. And I think that's the incorrect license plate light cover.

What else can the samba experts spot?

Thanks in advance,

-Dave

Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:57 pm

Well, right off the bat, the bumpers are Brazilian replacements. They are inferior quality and prone to rusting prematurely. The steering wheel has been painted black. It should be silverbeige - same as the dash knobs. Also, it would have been 6v when new. 12v was not standard until 1967 US imports.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:58 am

A bit tough to tell much from those pics, but I think I can add a few.

The wheels are the negative of what they're supposed to be. Center should be black, outer section should be L87 Pearl White.
The trim around the windshield, rear and rear quarter windows is missing.
I would inspect the left rear fender carefully; I think it may be a cheap replacement.
Missing clutch and brake pedal pads.
I can't see the shifter too well, but it looks like they may have nailed that with the black rattle can too. Should be Anthracite.
Bumper brackets should be Silver-Grey, rear overrider bracket grommets missing.

(And the license plate light looks correct to me.)

Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:57 am

license plate light looks correct to me also, same as my '65.
The missing chrome around the windows, wouldn't that be missing on a standard? I was under the impression that that chrome was only on the deluxe.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:09 am

39coupe wrote: license plate light looks correct to me also, same as my '65.
The missing chrome around the windows, wouldn't that be missing on a standard? I was under the impression that that chrome was only on the deluxe.

There is trim on the dash and body mouldings. It IS a deluxe :wink:

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:34 am

I thought I read once that all Beetles destined for U.S. shores were Deluxe models? Stardards here would've come from Canada or exports of Euro-spec. vehicles?

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:37 am

Correct, and if from Canada would likely be a Canadian Standard with exterior trim and a few other differences from European Standard.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:48 am

Canadian standard would not have dash trim

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:50 am

Yes, I know, but it does have non-window exterior trim.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:02 am

HerrrKafer wrote: Yes, I know, but it does have non-window exterior trim.

I'm confused... are you saying that this car might be a Canadian standard? I hope you're not relying simply on the body moulding and black rubber window trim for that decision.

That car is far from original. It has also been repainted black (not the original color for that car, I would bet you. Take a look at all the chips around the radio hole) Many times people replace the original window seals with plain black because they want that "look". Also, they are much easier to install than dealing with the aluminum trim. My money says that's what happened in this case. This car is not a Canadian standard.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:06 am

67 Florida Deluxe wrote: Many times people replace the original window seals with plain black because they want that "look". Also, they are much easier to install than dealing with the aluminum trim. My money says that's what happened in this case. This car is not a Canadian standard.

I'd tend to agree with this too.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:12 am

67 Florida Deluxe wrote: HerrrKafer wrote: Yes, I know, but it does have non-window exterior trim.

I'm confused... are you saying that this car might be a Canadian standard? I hope you're not relying simply on the body moulding and black rubber window trim for that decision.

That car is far from original. It has also been repainted black (not the original color for that car, I would bet you. Take a look at all the chips around the radio hole) Many times people replace the original window seals with plain black because they want that "look". Also, they are much easier to install than dealing with the aluminum trim. My money says that's what happened in this case. This car is not a Canadian standard.

Oh, hell no! LOL, I just brought it up because Johnny.Baba mentioned Standards from Canada and Europe. Geez, I know what a CS looks like...

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:22 am

HerrrKafer wrote:
Oh, hell no! LOL, I just brought it up because Johnny.Baba mentioned Standards from Canada and Europe. Geez, I know what a CS looks like...

phew! You had me worried for a minute :shock: :)

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:27 am

Sorry to bring up the standard vs deluxe question, I just wasn't real clear on it myself so was asking. I learn something new every day. Thanks.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:18 am

Much appreciated guys. This will definitely help me out with determining the value of the car.

And, as we all know..."value" is simply what someone is willing to pay for it ;-)

-Dave

Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:07 pm

did 64 and 65 have that steering wheel or was it 63-64 only?

Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:27 pm

Robert Terrazas wrote: did 64 and 65 have that steering wheel or was it 63-64 only?

This is the proper steering wheel for a '64 and '65 deluxe. It's the only years with a horn bar only (no ring). The proper color is silverbeige. (sorry for the poor quality pic, but you get the idea)

Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:30 pm

39coupe wrote: Sorry to bring up the standard vs deluxe question, I just wasn't real clear on it myself so was asking. I learn something new every day. Thanks.

no need for sorry. it was a legitimate question :wink:

Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:13 pm

owdlvr, did you go and look at the car?

Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:44 pm

what about the 1967 hood release knob,Kent???? off the same parts car for outside mirror????