Bus VIN

[OldeVolksHome]

So I've owned this SO-42 Westy (or is it SO-44, since it has a small pop top?) for 35 years. The VIN on the tag is 1300688, which according to the VIN table here on TheSamba corresponds to April 1964. When I first bought the bus (1974) I was told it was originally purchased in Germany and shipped over. Dunno if that makes any difference on a VIN.

As a favor, I just put a new engine in a friend's 64, and converted her bus to 12V. In so doing I found several differences between hers and mine. Her VIN corresponds to February 1964.

So I started checking out the differences in our buses - and here's the weird part. The chassis VIN and tag VIN on my bus do not match. It's easy enough to conclude that the tag was switched, but it doesn't look like it - and I've owned it for 35 years! Besides (and here's the really weird part) - the chassis VIN is 236121901, which I don't see on the VIN list on TheSamba, although it could translate to 23 (kombi) 6 (1966).

What things distinguish a 64 from a 66? Did VW not introduce the turn signal level headlight bright/dimmer until 1966? (Mine has one.) Slash bumpers on the 64 and pointed bumpers on the 66? Emergency flash indicator light by the fuel gauge (64) versus a lighted switch knob (66)?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!

[///Mink]

Post pictures of each tag - the 236 number would be the correct VIN for a '66. What's the number stamped in the sheetmetal in the engine compartment?

[Kombi]

[OldeVolksHome]

The VIN on the overhead tag and the tag behind the seat are the same (1300688), but the chassis number is 236121901.

[OldeVolksHome]

The chassis VIN (stamped in the engine compartment) is 236121901.

[///Mink]