Matching numbers question.

[BMFBMF]

Hi Folks,

I've seen posts where folks talk about "matching numbers". Ive got my orignal beetle registrationand the numbers where not the same, ad I understand that no beeltes ever had the same number on the chassis and the engine like motorbikes often had.

What exactly do folks mean by "matching numbers". Do they mean "same year" numbers?

My chassis and (new and old) engine numbers are all preffixed by "SAF" which indicated that it was south african manufactured. Did any other countries also use a prefix such as this?

PS , my orignal redone engine is in a crate waiting for its call-up one day, hopefully not too soon!!!

Cheers.
_________________
-----Slava Ukraini-----
1971 Stock South African Beetle 1300 : My mom's european "Thin Chick" spec. Completely stock with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round, currently Running a 1976 SF:AS engine with the original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day.

[finster]

matching numbers mean that the 'fahrgestell' number on the vin plate is the same as the number stamped into the floorpan spine. also that the body number and engine number are verified as assembled at the factory with a birth certificate or original documentation.
if you can find a chart listing the numbers for south african cars then you will be able to ascertain if the numbers are correct.
I can't help with the south african stuff but maybe this forum can
https://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/#
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"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[viiking]

I've always taken that matching numbers meant that the engine and chassis were manufactured around the same time. This does not mean that they were actually assembled into one vehicle but could have been.

For example if the engine was produced in January and the Chassis in Feb of a particular year then it is very possible that they were the originals. Engines were usually produced "ahead of time" due to their complexity compared to a chassis, however this of course depended on the availability of parts etc.

In my own case my 1968 (been in the family since new and unmodified) the engine was made in the last week of January 1968 and the chassis made in the second week of February 1968. Say 3 weeks apart.

The classic "Birth Certificate" from Germany does NOT always apply. Their records are not always perfect as can be attested to here on SAMBA.

In relation to Australian cars, the birth certificates are of little help. In the case of the Australian assembled (CKD) and the Australian manufactured cars, all records were destroyed/lost when the factory was closed. Not sure it this is the same for the SA factory.

In regards to VIN number differences Australian cars from 1965 onwards had unique numbers as below (from the Technical Pages on SAMBA)


Notes for Australian Models
Beginning for 1965 model year, a "9" as the second digit prefix Beetle chassis/body number indicates an Australian built. The first digit indicates model, the third digit indicates year model. The chassis/body numbering after the third digit, were supplied from Germany. Only the second prefix changed to "9" to denote an Australian built car. Engine numbers in Australian built Beetles used the same case numbering as German built cars. The engines were not built in Australia, but imported from Germany.
Example:
Chassis # 197 488 655 would be:
1 = Type 1
9 = Australia built
7 = 1967
488 655 = Vehicle # 488 655 off the 1967 production line[/i]

Australian body numbers (near the spare tyre but not the VIN plate) also started with the suffix "A".

Earlier made in Australian cars had parts with two kangaroos standing on opposite sides of the VW symbol. This included parts where Australia had their own manufacturing plants such as Hella or Bosch in Australia.

Gallery photo from member 70.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[davidw99]

Body and chassis numbers matched when the car left the factory. The matching engine number is the number of the engine that was in the car when it left the factory. So, matching numbers mean that the chassis and body number match and the car has the same engine it had when it left the factory.
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Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

[iowegian]

[viiking]

It goes without saying that the Chassis Number under the back seat must match the Fargestall number.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Busstom]

[iowegian]

[harrymarlin]

[BMFBMF]

Interesting info, thanks folks, in my case its just an academic quesiotn as the beetes was my mothers from new and I have the full history and licence papers etc.

Was the "VIN plate" used in all german made beetles or was it an amercian requirement?

My RSA beetle has no VIN plate but does have this plate on it. Ive never seen a VIN plate on any RSA beetle.

Interesting that it was "manufactured" in RSA but "origin" being West Germany!!!

Same as in OZ all records destroyed when the factury closed, its pretty cool with the "SAF" in front of the engine and chassis numbers. I'll post pics sometime.
Cheers
_________________
-----Slava Ukraini-----
1971 Stock South African Beetle 1300 : My mom's european "Thin Chick" spec. Completely stock with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round, currently Running a 1976 SF:AS engine with the original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day.

[Busstom]

[BMFBMF]

Heres the picture I forgot to post 🙄. From talking to the local guys, the VWs made in RSA from knock down kits came with a type of vin plate on top of this plate. Those made in RSA show just this plate.

Cheers
_________________
-----Slava Ukraini-----
1971 Stock South African Beetle 1300 : My mom's european "Thin Chick" spec. Completely stock with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round, currently Running a 1976 SF:AS engine with the original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day.