Original Color

[Beetle4me]

I've just purchased a 72' Super, and don't know much about the VW Bug. I'm trying to find out what the original color was. Is there a place I can find a color code on the car and then a reference that for a paint match? There's a small area under the trunk hood that has a light blue metalic look. Any help would be appreciated.

Brent "New Bug Owner" Bishop

[79SuperVert]

If you contact the VW web site you'll find out how to get a "birth certificate" for about $10 bucks that will tell you the car's original color. It requires that you give them the VIN.

[[email protected]]

I can't find any link to this at the VW website, can someone post the url? I've seen pictures of these birth certificates and have wanted to get one for a while, just haven't known how.
thanks

[Jeff H]

Hey Brent;
I THINK the paint code tag is in the trunk of your Bug - clear at the front. It's about 2"x3" and will have a bunch of weird numbers. A good auto parts place that sells paint SHOULD be able to match those numbers and get you the right paint.

Jeff ('71 Super)

[79SuperVert]

Here's the address I wrote to for the birth certificate:

Ms. Christine Neefe
Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen
Brieffach 1003
Dieselstrasse 35
38 436 Wolfsburg

Send her your chassis number, the owner's name, and your credit card info including expiration date. Don't e-mail it, too easy to intercept.

Sorry, I remembered that I hunted a lot for this info on the web also and finally found the address when I e-mailed the VW museum and they replied with the above info. The cost will be 10 euros (about 10 dollars).

[keifernet]

Alot of times the little sticker that had the paint code on it is been ground off or painted over... If you see the original color around the dash area or sometimes under the door panels you can get a match off it. Light blue metallic.... sounds like that may have been a 72 "baja" edition or sport editon which was "Marathon Metallic Blue"

[72 Marathon]

Dude:
Today is your lucky day! If in fact the original color is silver blue metallic your car is probably a limited edition Marathon Beetle (aka World Champion Beetle). I have the exact same car and found after I started to restore it. The paint code for "Marathon Blue" is 96M (check out wolfsburgwest.com for paint codes). They only made 6000 beetles in 72 with Marathon Blue paint to commemorate the 15th million beetle, thus surpassing the total production of the Model T. Your car should have data plate riveted to the front apron just below the bonnet latch mechanism. These numbers will give you the production date (birthdate) of your car; Marathon Beetles were produced between Feb-April of 1972. They also came with the 10 spoke rally wheels and a gold medallion attached to the glove box door, does your car still have both of these? I will tell you that the Marathon Blue is a gorgeous color! It looks awesome! People comment on my the color everywhere I go. Check out the following website for more information: www.1302super.com
Pete

[keifernet]

Pete, Thanks for the additional info. I have painted 2 original models of these cars in the past. In the US they weren't called the same thing I guess as in the UK
The two I did both had the factory steel sliding sunroof although I don't think they all came with that it was common from what I understand.
I am also a fan of the 10 spoke "jubilee" or "baja" wheels and have a few sets.
I agree that color is is pretty cool. Probably the best of the "Factory" metallics IMO...
I have a 72 Super I am redoing and I am going to make it into a "Lookalike" but I am not about to try and pass it off as an original. Just going to paint it Marathon and put the wheels on it... Later Keith

[72 Marathon]

Hey Keith:
Sorry I didn't give you your props in last post--I wasn't trying to disregard your info; I think we were on the same page, I realized after I posted that you had the same info without acknowledging it. Good luck with your car. You know I took off the 10 spoke wheels, mainly because I was missing 3 of the original center caps (which are pretty difficult to find and expensive if found in good shape), so I put on stock slotted wheels with hubcaps and trim rings. It looks really cool, especially 'cause its lowered all around. Hey, did you have (or do still have) the original gold medallion that came with these cars? If you have one, I want to buy it. Enjoy your current resto project. I'm in the process of looking to do minor resto on a 62-62 ghia convertible. Pete.

[keifernet]

No No, I was not commenting on that, people(I too) often post alot of the same information as someone else... not a problem. better to have more info/confirmation that we thought he may indeed have an original semi-rare model.
And you had alot more detailed info anyway that's why I was thanking you.....
Which caps did you have? the lightweight stainless steel. I have some of those...
With one set of wheels I got only 3 of these really cool HEAVY machined aluminum centers, I have yet to find a 4th and may have to have one custom machined one day...
Sometimes you see a few of the centers at a swap. There is a guy advertising some on here for 175 US! Too much IMHO... I saw a set of 4 NOS a few years back for 150... still alot of $$$$
No I never had any of the medalions... And the other cars I painted were customers and that was back in the mid- late 80's.
I just thought it would be cool to build a "suedo" model and get my bud at his sign shop to dupilicate the black stripe and "baja" leters out of vynyl to put on it.
Somewhere in one of these threads is a link to a site with particulars on this car annd other late model Sun bug Ect.... but I have not had the chance to investigate it.
Keep in touch via my email and send me pic of your ride. Later... Keith in TX.

[72 Marathon]

Hey Keith:
The 1 center cap that I have is the light weight stainless steel one, I'm not familiar with the heavy machined one your talking about. I still have all 4 wheels (pretty rusty though--that's why I went to the slotted wheels). Yea, I saw those 4 center caps on the Samba for $175; pretty expensive. But, I'll tell ya I was at a swap meet/show last summer and a guy was selling a set for $100 and they in only "fair" condition. So, the price is high all around for those caps. Anyhow, I will send pics of my ride as soon I pony up for a digital camera--my wife is insisting we get one, so it should be soon. Did you think I live in the U.K.? Nope. Pete in Chicago.

[keifernet]

okay Pete in Chi town! LOL! the last reference to the 1302 site threw me. and i spend some of my time on a brit site so when I switch back and forth I get dizzy!
Keep those wheels... unless you want me to have them (he he...) I run across some from time to time and pick them up in trades or $$$ when I can. Nice chatting with you....