TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Oct 16, 2003 5:41 am

I was given a beetle by my father-in-law (first owned) and couldnt figure out what year it was made. It was bought in '74, bur the tail lights are narrower, between the round ones and the old oval ones. The dash is with leather, has square bumpers, and a crescent shaped non-chrome air-duct in the rear. It has a 1500 engine.

I am sure though that it is not german, most probably brazillian.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 6:29 am

Do you have any pictures of it?

Thu Oct 16, 2003 6:39 am

Can you post the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:03 am

motor# BH-727788
chassis# FS-000883

Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:05 am

That doesn't look like VW VIN number.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:08 am

I'm still trying to figure out how to post the pic.. insert a link?

My Beetle looks exaclty like Glenn74's but with a smaller tail-light and turn signals. everything else is the same, even the wheels, the crescent at the back, engine lid...

just the tail light and turn signals..

Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:09 am

as well as the leather dash and the steering wheel.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:18 am

What country are you in? Beetles never came with leather dash pads.

Also Beetles were built differently depending on their destination. For example, all Beetles sold in North America came with IRS in 69, while Swingaxles were still sold in Europe and used in Mexico... until the end of production a few months ago.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 11:53 am

sounds to me like you own a 70-72.."IF" it is all stock.
because you have the cresents behind the windows.
it has to be later than a 69...and because you don't have round tail lights it has to be earlier than a 73.
does it have vents behind the front bumper?...and does the spare tire lay flat?...<if so it is a 71 or 72 super....
also...if it has vents in the rear engine lid...
70 had no vents
71 had two sets
and 72 and up had 4 sets.
'good luck :D

Thu Oct 16, 2003 1:53 pm

Actually, it has to be a '71 or newer, as they didn't have the crescent moon thingys until '71.

'70 had vents, just not as many as they came out with in '71 and newer.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 8:57 pm

There are no vents behind the front bumper, and had fouir sets of vents on the engine lid. I'm sure it's not a super so it has to be a 72. Thanks for the help guys!