TheSamba.com :: View topic - Official "what year is my decklid" thread

Sun Nov 18, 2012 4:00 am

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: It is a 68-69 Sedan.
Appears to be smoothed to eliminate the license lamp housing.

Yours

Just to throw even more confusion into the mix, all 70s 1200 Beetles had non vented engine lids like 68 and 69, even the 1302 and 1303 Super beetles with 1200 engines had no vents, only difference is 72 onwards ones have the square pressing for the flap under the light housing and the single screw latch.

I have one on my car.

Sun Nov 18, 2012 6:42 am

Joel, you bring up a good point that hasnt been mentioned yet in this topic..

Joel wrote: VW introduced the decklid flap for warmer climates in the mid 70s, Australian Beetles had them from 75.

AlteWagen wrote: CA FI cars 75 up had the flap

Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:29 pm

That's not a legit one, its a 68-69 lid with the vent cut into it.

The real 72 and later non vented lids have the shorter 1 screw latch and the round pressing behind the license plate to mount the thermostat too.

Not a good pic but you can see what I mean

Sun Nov 18, 2012 4:32 pm

Joel wrote: That's not a legit one, its a 68-69 lid with the vent cut into it.

I know.... :wink: , but it got you to add a reference... that was the point...
Now with both the flap and lid referenced everyone reading gets the idea....

Sun Jan 20, 2013 1:59 am

What year lids are interchangeable? Right now my '61 has a '65/'66 deck lid on it, but I'd like to fin a '57-down style lid for it. Are the aprons/latch the same?

Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:09 am

Interchange.... ?? correct of simply fit...
If you want correct got back to page 1 and review....

I think you're asking will a "W" pressed deck lid will fit your 61 and latch, then yes it will, and looks good.
Most opt to find the latest "W" lid, (1956/57) to use on 58-64's.
FYI, "W" deck lids are being reproduced in pretty good quality.

Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:50 pm

Yep, that's exactly what I meant lol! Good too know, the W lids just look so freakin good to me! Does anybody make steel ones? I've seen a lot of glass ones..

Actually, I'd be happy to find any deck lid that fits. The one that came with the car is so hacked up that I'm just running it without for now. Lots of bad welds, attempted JBWeld repairs, holes drilled in it for a funky electric fan that doesn't work....

Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:40 am

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: .
FYI, "W" deck lids are being reproduced in pretty good quality.

fory wrote: Does anybody make steel ones? ..

http://www.ksreproduction.com/vw.asp
Convertibles = vents
Sedans = No vents
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=685755

Wed May 15, 2013 12:11 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: .
FYI, "W" deck lids are being reproduced in pretty good quality.

fory wrote: Does anybody make steel ones? ..

http://www.ksreproduction.com/vw.asp
Convertibles = vents
Sedans = No vents
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=685755

anyone make them for the 58-64

Wed May 15, 2013 9:10 pm

J.BYRD wrote: anyone make them for the 58-64

No

Thu May 16, 2013 6:44 am

AlteWagen wrote: J.BYRD wrote: anyone make them for the 58-64

No

Well sort of...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=256969

Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:33 am

Forgive me if this was already stated or asked but.......why does the read deck lid bulge outward beginning with 1967 models?

Thanks,

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: AlteWagen wrote: J.BYRD wrote: anyone make them for the 58-64

No

Well sort of...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=256969

Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:04 am

gstraub wrote: Forgive me if this was already stated or asked but.......why does the read deck lid bulge outward beginning with 1967 models?

My guess would be several things

-1500cc engine
-dual snorkel air cleaner
-new apron
-shorter profile of deck lid

Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:57 pm

gstraub wrote: Forgive me if this was already stated or asked but.......why does the read deck lid bulge outward beginning with 1967 models?

Read the first paragraph here...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/67changes/page3.jpg
...it was mainly done to make the rear license plate vertical.

Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:54 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: The 1967 one year only lid is a little longer at the bottom, but its basically the same shape as a 68 and newer.

You will also notice the license light and license plate are both moved up in 1968, as the lid shrunk, and the apron grew....

Best when compared side by side.. or at least near each other..

1967 Sedan

1968 Sedan

That's a good comparison for the difference between the two years!

I didn't buy this following decklid, but saw it awhile back and saved the photo since I've not seen many murals on VWs. The missing plate light makes it hard for my eyes to tell which version it is. Could have been a neat bit of wall art in the barn.

Sat Jul 20, 2013 4:57 am

blue71 wrote: The missing plate light makes it hard for my eyes to tell which version it is.

1967 convertible no doubt.. If it was reasonable ..... You should have snagged it up.

Sat Jul 20, 2013 11:13 am

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:

1967 convertible no doubt.. If it was reasonable ..... You should have snagged it up.

That's cool to know. I'll watch and see if it pops up again sometime with a price, maybe it just expired.

I see the difference in your photos when one is present, because the space between the light and the upper edge of the decklid is way larger on a 67 when compared to a 68+. How is the best way to tell which year it is when there isn't a plate light on the decklid to use for reference?

Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:35 pm

blue71 wrote: . How is the best way to tell which year it is when there isn't a plate light on the decklid to use for reference?

For the untrained eye.. simply... Use a tape measure....

Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:24 pm

Gotcha. I'll have to continue to figure out the finer points of ID'ing them.

I found it again, it was the same ad too! I must've been looking at ads in a city that I normally don't look in when I first saw it and just saved the photos.

It's now in the barn at home.

Tue Aug 27, 2013 5:24 pm

Saw this pic in the classifieds and was wondering if this is a rain tray for 67 double snorkel bug or is it the same for all late beetles.

The vert in the ad was a 68 with a 68 lid.