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Mon Nov 03, 2003 12:23 pm

I have several standard dome lights for a 67-69 T3. Is there a difference between these and the one that is supposed to be mounted in the back? Where is the rear one supposed to be mounted? Several companies advertise the part, but I've never seen a pictuire of it.

Mon Nov 03, 2003 1:45 pm

Yes.

It's different than the Fastback/Notchback trunk light. The sedan rear trunk light has no switch, it just turns on/off via switch that the trunk flips when you open the rear lid.

It's also different than the 61-66 rear hatch light for the Squareback. The Squareback one has a little 3 way switch, although you only use the on/off positions because there is no door dipswitch. I think it's just a 3-way switch used from another model.

Mon Nov 03, 2003 2:05 pm

Did EVERY one come with a light under the decklid? There is the indentation in mine for one, but there isn't one there and it has never been drilled for one either...is there a surefire way to know that this thing is a N model?

Mon Nov 03, 2003 2:40 pm

I don't know if N models came with it. There should be a big square hole there if the light is missing. Is your wiring there?

N models don't have a passenger side door lock on the outside, that's a really easy way to check.

Mon Nov 03, 2003 6:43 pm

Maybe I should note at this point that I have a '69 square (it apparently didn't come with the light in question).

Tue Nov 04, 2003 12:04 am

If memory serves me right, up until late 1965 the Variant/ Squareback had a one- piece metal hinge cover that went all the way across the back of the headliner and had a cutout for the rear courtesy lamp, which is the three position one that Everett describes. After that, you got the two smaller plastic hinge covers that JUST cover the hinges, with no provision for the light. I'm just not sure exactly when the switch was made from one- piece to two separate covers. I'm sure that by '69 the one- piece was discontinued. I have an early '66 Euro that has some items that were supposedly discontinued after the '65 model year. VW tended to use prior issue stuff into a new model year until supplies were exhausted, usually on "home market" or grey market cars.

Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:34 am

yeah, Porsche does the same thing. I've seen a '74 911 targa with early fenders and an 80s bumper. I've also seen a few late 70s busses with late 60s bumpers.
Your part could have been put in by a previous owner, remember. I've certainly done that before.
I just want to make the car more effective as a workhorse.