What year is my car?

[lojoma]

I just bought at '63 Deluxe Beetle. According to the VIN number, it was made in August of 1962.

So do I really have a 1962 or a 1963?

For example, 1963 cars see to have heater outlets under the rear seat, but 1962 models do not. But I am figuring when it was sold, it was rolled out for the 1963 sales year so it's called a '63.

Just want to make sure that I know what I have when ordering parts, etc. I know many parts span lots of years but there are many, of course, that don't.

Thanks.

[67rustavenger]

1963 Following year production began in August of the privious year.
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[61SNRF]

According to one book I have, '63 production ran from Aug 1 '62 to Jul 31 '63.

Does it have it's original engine? On Dec 15 '62 they upgraded the heating system with heat exchangers.

Does it have a coat of arms (Wolfsburg crest) on the hood? They dropped that on Oct 1 '62.

In either case they made minor running changes all during the year, so for most chassis parts like cables etc you're going to have to order by the chassis number anyway, so makes little difference what year you're going to call it.
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[gt1953]

If it was on the parts shelf when it came down the line that is what was installed on the car.
Add some photos in your gallery, its always a big help.
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[lojoma]

It does have the crest on the hood. It does not have heat outlet under rear seat. The heat does work.

The engine is a '74 engine. (AH code).

I posted photos to my gallery for you to see. The car was restored about 15 years ago. Paint is good but not great, but the pans are in amazingly good shape and I can't find rust anywhere on this car. A few bolts here and there have light surface rust. Previous owner took very good care of it.

The photos have an aftermarket steering wheel, but he put the original back on when I bought it.

[stale air]

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

Its a stale air early 1963.. which in reality.. is just a carry over 1962...

http://www.vw-resource.com/years.html

The 62-64 (Sedan) ID highlight reel..

[lojoma]

Well...my heat ducts appear to have been removed some time ago!

The change to the '74 engine added fresh air heat. I guess they decided to push all the heat to the front for some reason.

I thought earlier ones didn't have outlets in the back because the '62 manual I looked at didn't mention adjustable flaps on those outlets like the '63 manual does, and I didn't see any on mine! Interesting.

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

More information regarding Vw's first and poor attempt at rear floor heat..

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=445797.


Change to fresh air rear tubes... and enjoy the roast... and ankle burners..



.
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aka Ken {o\!/o}
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[lojoma]

Thanks for the info...very educational! As I mentioned, with the change to a newer engine it was upgraded to fresh air, so I think the heat will work well enough in the winter as is. Just surprised to find this interesting quirk of what I now know I have...a '62!

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

[sjbartnik]

[h~moto]

If the VIN is from 4 846 836 to 5 677 118 then it would be a 1963.
If the VIN is from 4 846 836 to 4 854 999 it would be a `63 that was actually built in late July 1962.

[lojoma]

Thanks for the clarifications. I wasn't meaning that quite so literally...a "bridging" model with some parts 62 and some 63 is what I was trying to say.

The VIN is a 489*

[lojoma]

Well, some disappointing news. My Bug's body doesn't match with chassis.

When I bought the car, my father did the transaction out of state so I wasn't there to confirm the numbers matched. The PO stated they matched. I would swear that I checked them when I got the car, but looking at them today, I see they don't actually match. Ugh. I think I must have seen the number on the chassis matched the number on the title and didn't look further. The chassis number matches the paperwork I have that goes back to when car was sold to second owner in '64.

The chassis number shows manufacture of late '62 and the body number shows as late '63. But the hood has the crest, which I think someone here said stopped after Oct 62 if I remember right. So I'm guessing the body had damage and they found a replacement but kept the old hood for the emblem (or somehow installed it).

Still love my Bug, but hate that it's not a matcher.

[Sharp64]

Look for other clues as to what could have been done. My 64 doesn't have matching numbers, but the body has lots of original Java green as well as places that aren't typically gotten in a respray. Rear fenders have java green under the undercoating as well as behind the tar boards in the engine etc. My guess is the front section was replaced with that from a 63 and they just left the original body vin on it. I still need to drill out the body vin to see what color paint it behind it, but its way down my list of importance. Maybe something like this happened with yours as well?
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[VOLKSWAGNUT]

While numbers matching is important from a legality standpoint.. it in no way should effect you enjoying it.

Importantly, If the papers match the pan (chassis) IMO knock the body tag off.. stick it in your tool box ..or.. and enjoy your car.. The chassis is the legal binding number..

Lucky for you.. the two components (body/chassis) are within close proximity of time.. so that makes it easy for parts ..well.....at least once you learn the few nuances.

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[hitest]

I'm not ready to call this one done- and unmatched.

You own the car- and you possess the car. Post the actual numbers you have- and "X" off the last 2. There's no chance anybody here can impede your ownership of this car when there is exactly a 99:1 shot they guess the last two digits correctly. Give us a list of the following:

Titled VIN (from the paper- and the oldest dates)
Chassis number from under the rear seat (look to make sure the tar board has not been altered)
Body number from the stamping on the front apron- not from any separate tag (which by the way, none of my early cars have- they are all stampings)
Engine number from below the generator stand (so we can rule out a DMV clerical error)

We do not have enough of your information to conclude its a body swap. People added Wolfsburg badges all the time (I've done it), so you can't go by that. Folks typo'd VINs all day long. States used engine numbers as VINs for years. If that car has papers dating to 1964 there is no reason we can't determine its real heritage.

The reason I'm so determined is I am a passionate owner of these cars. I'm on my 4th '63 and have two '62s- rounding out all 3 deluxe models sold in the US within that year-span.
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[VOLKSWAGNUT]

[hitest]