First prototype beetle. 1000 (984) engine, 22hp, 5.8 to 1 compression ratio.
1936
1000 (985) engine, 22hp, 5.8 to 1 compression ratio.
1937
External oil cooler added to take care of cooling problem.
1938
Split Rear Window installed.
1943
1100 engine, 25hp, 5.8 to 1 compression ratio.
1948
Had Pope Nose license plate light.
1949
Chassis #91922 to 138554. Solex carburetor made standard equipment. Air
flap control on fan shroud discontinued. License plate indentation on rear
deck dropped. Inside pull cable release for front hood is added, eliminating
lock on old style L-shaped twist handle. Small emblem hubcap replaces big
emblem hubcap.
1950
Chassis #138555 to 220471. Cloth Sunroof introduced as an option. Cable
Brakes changed to Hydraulic on export models. Starting crankhole discontinued
on Cabriolet in late 1950. Sound muffler put in heater ducts. Heat riser added
to intake manifold. Automatic engine cooling temperature control with the
thermostat. Offset piston wrist pin to reduce piston slap. Tougher alloys
for exhaust valves and inserts.
1951
Chassis #220472 to 313829. Chrome garnish molding added to windshield. Wolfsburg
crest added to front hood above handle. Vent flaps added to front quarter
panels on export models. Double-acting telescopic shocks replace rear lever
shocks. Glove box door now standard on convertibles. One heavy valve spring
replaces the two used before.
1952
Chassis #313830 to 428156. Crankshaft end play adjustment with three shims.
Tire size changed from 5.00x16 to 5.6x15. Six leaved torsion bars added for
increased suspension travel. New instrument panel. late 1952 26 PCI carburetor
with accelerator pump replaced the old 28 VFIS. "A" transmission
with three synchronized gears replaced the old crash box. Number of turns
made by the window crank changed from 10-1/2 to 3-1/4. Vent windows added.
Vent flaps in front quarter body panels discontinued. Pull-type heating control
knob replaced by rotary control knob. "T" type rear hood handle
replaces loop type handle. Twin brake and taillights replace center-mounted
single version. Single glove box gets a door and replaces the two open bins.
Turn signal control moved to steering wheel from dashboard. Interior light
moved to center pillar by driver's door. Bumpers and guards strengthened and
enlarged. New rear license plate light housing. Self-cancelling windshield
wipers. Starting crankhole discontinued on all models.
1953
Chassis #428157 to 575414. One rear window glass instead of two. Lock button
added to vent window handles. Brake fluid reservoir moved from master cylinder
to behind spare tire. Exterior trim improved with anti-corrosive alloy. Handle
added to dash ashtray. Changed third and fourth gear ratios. Changed valve
setting to .004". Late 1953 Combination vacuum and mechanical advance
distributor added. Increased generator output to 160 watts. Break-in driving
requirement for engine dropped.
1954
Chassis #575415 to 722934. 1200 engine, 30hp, 6.1 to 1 compression ratio.
Larger intake valves. Cylinder heads redesigned to provide better cooling
for the valves and plugs. 28 PCI carburetor. Starter switch taken off dash
and incorporated with ignition switch. Three-way interior light. Late 1954
6.6 to 1 compression ratio.
1955
Chassis #722935 to 929745. From 1955 the model changes always came in August,
Meaning that model 1956 started in 8.4.55. This is very confusing, when speaking
about model year and the year the car was made are two different things. Model
years normally follow all the major changes (but there are exceptions as when
the new larger taillights with separate chamber for turnsignal was introduced
in 5/2/61). Flashing turn signals mounted low on front fenders replace semaphores.
Top window in rear taillight housing dropped. Dished steering wheel. New gearshift
lever moved forward.
1956
Chassis #929746 to 1246618. Optional sunroof now made of plastic instead
of cloth. Optional sunroof is a little smaller than previous year. Gear shift
handle now is curved instead of straight. Taillight housing moved 2 inches
higher & redesigned with one window only. Bumper overriders added to bumper.
Chromed dual tail pipes replace single tail pipe on export models. Black Enamel
dual tail pipes are installed on standard models. Steering wheel spoke moved
lower off center. Adjustable, wider front seats. Heater knob moved forward.
Redesigned gas tank yields larger luggage space. Larger oil pump mounting
shaft. Number four main bearing clearance modified. Copper-plated fulcrum
plates in universals. Starter motor horsepower increased. Fuel filter tap
removed. Late 1956 front floor heater outlet moved rearward. Tubeless tires
introduced.
1957
Chassis #1246619 to 1600439. Optional sunroof is again a little smaller
than previous year. Oil gallery sizes increased. Metal camshaft gear. Ring
and pinion ratio changed. Brake pedal leverage increased. Adjustable striker
plates in doors.
1958
Chassis #1600440 to 2007615. New instrument panel. Larger Windshield. Larger
rear window. Frame head reinforced. Front turn signals moved to top of fenders.
Rear deck lid redesigned. Flat type accelerator replaces roller type. Horizontal
air inlets replaced vertical inlets on convertibles. A new dished steering
wheel. Radio grille moved left in front of driver. Wider brake drums and shoes.
New clutch release assembly with stronger clutch springs. Third and fourth
gear ratio changed.
1959
Chassis #2007616 to 2528667. Outer front suspension control arm bushings
changed to needle roller bearings. Frame reinforced for greater strength.
Anti-sway bar added. Improved fan belt. Stronger clutch springs added.
1960
Safety recessed steering wheel. Steering dampener added. "hour glass"
Gemmer steering box is worm and peg instead of worm and roller. Generator
output increased from 160 to 180 watts. Outside door handles are now push
button instead of pull type. Padded sun visor replaces dark plastic sun visor.
Seat back contoured for greater comfort. Wolfsburg crest on front hood less
colorful.
1961
1200 engine, 40hp, 7 to 1 compression ratio. Fuel pump is now located to
the right of the distributor. Generater stand is no longer cast as part of
the block. Lifters & pushrods are no longer a one-piece unit. Valves are
now angled in the cylinder heads. 28 PICT carburetor with automatic choke.
New tunnel-type "AB" "Fully Synchronized" transmission.
Vacuum advance distributor. Positive crankcase ventilation. Flatter gas tank.
28 blade cooling fan. Permanently greased tie rod ends. "Sissy Bar"
added. Non-repeat starter switch. Wider front brake shoes and linings. Transparent
brake fluid reservoir. Push-on connectors for the wiring system. Pump-type
windshield washer. Larger heater pipes. Sunvisor and grab-handle provided
for passenger side.
1962
Fuel gauge replaces reserve fuel tap. Switch made from glass to plastic
tail lights. Spring balanced front hood. Sliding covers on heat outlets. Progressive
type valve springs. Anchor points for seat belts. Stronger clutch springs.
Windshield washer uses spare tire for air pressure. Last year semaphores are
offered on non-export models.
1963
Fresh air heating "Clean-air" engine with redesigned fan housing,
muffler, and heat exchangers. Leatherette head lining. Folding handle for
sunroof. Nylon window guides. Foam sandwich floor mats. Wolfsburg hood crest
discontinued.
1964
Metal replaces fabric in optional sunroof. Horn activated by two thumb buttons
replaces half-ring. Bent vacuum pipe-formerly a loop. Larger front turn signals.
Larger license plate light. Aerated vinyl material replaces non-porous leatherette
seat upholstery. late 1964 28 PICT-1 Carburetor.
1965
Master cylinder and wheel cylinders changed. New cooling air control system
with flaps in the bottom of the fan housing. Heater efficiency improved. Lever
type heater and defroster controls replace rotary knob. Window and windshield
area increased with slightly curved windshield. Slimmer door and windshield
posts. Window vent made smaller, angled back, and lock moved from bottom to
side. More powerful windshield wipers and longer wiper blades. New chassis
numbering system. Thinner, deeply contoured front seats. Increased rear seat
knee room. Rear seat folds flat to hold more stuff. Change from T-handle to
pushbutton engine hood latch. Swivel mounted sun visors. Push-button catch
on engine lid. Dome light incorperated in rear-view mirror assembly on convertibles.
1966
1300 engine, 50hp. "1300" added to rear deck. 30 PICT-1 carburetor.
Cam bearings started. Emergency blinker switch. Ventilated wheel slots and
flatter hub caps. Larger Rear View Mirror. Headlight dimmer switch mounted
on turn signal handle instead of floor. Center dashboard defroster outlet.
Semi-circular horn ring. Ball joint front suspension replaces king pin suspension.
Better torsion bars and shocks. Needle wheel bearings replace round wheel
bearings.
1967
1500 engine, 53hp. "Volkswagen" added to rear deck. Squared-off
looking rear hood. Rear bumper overriders redesigned to clear new deck lid.
Changed from 6 to 12 volt system in middle of year. Generator increased from
180 to 360 watts with change from 6 to 12 volts. Voltage regulator now mounted
under rear seat instead of on generator. Wider swing axels provide wider track
in rear. Clutch disk increased in size from 180 to 200 mm. 130 tooth (200mm)
flywheel replaces 109 tooth (180mm) flywheel. Dual master cylinder brake system.
Outside door handle has round push button. Recessed inside plastic door handles.
Two-speed windshield wipers. Back-up lights. Single unit headlights. Locking
buttons on doors. Driver armrest added. Slimmer outside chrome trim. Left
outside mirror becomes standard equipment. Z-Bar added to rear suspension
in an attempt to improve handling.
1968
Automatic stick shift with double jointed rear axles added as an option.
New bumpers. Hubcaps are now even flatter than before. Beginning of plastic
dashes on bugs. Big black knob added to vent window handle. Gear shifter is
now straight instead of crooked. Changed from five to four lug. Bigger front
brakes. Bigger rear brakes. Solex 30 PICT-2 carburetor. Gas tank filler moved
from under hood to right front fender. Brake fluid reservoir moved from under
spare tire to driver side wall. Combined gas gauge into speedometer gauge.
Gas gauge is now electrical instead of mechanical. Oil warning light changed
from green to red. Outside door handle button now has to be squeezed instead
of pushed. Larger tail lights. Head restraints built into front seat backrests.
Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column. Exhaust emission control system.
late 1968
Front Hood release moved to glove compartment. Gas filler cover has inside
release.
1969
Double-jointed rear axles on all models. Swing axle transaxle is replaced
by IRS transaxle. (Independent Rear Suspensn) Warning lights in speedometer
identified by letters or symbols. Day/night rear-view mirror. Rear window
defroster. Ignition lock combined with steering wheel lock. Warm air outlet
at base of the doors moved rearward. Remote control knobs are mounted on door
columns.
late 1969
Tenths of mile indicator on odometer.
1970
1600 engine, 57hp. Larger turn signals. Larger tail lights with side reflectors
on housing. Air intake slots on engine lid. Added a pressure control valve
in lubrication system. (Dual relief case) Solex 30 PICT-3 carburetor. Diaphram
spring clutch replaces coil spring clutch to provide quicker engagement with
less pedal pressure. Head restraints on front seats reduced in size. Lock
in glove compartment door. Remote control knobs for warm air outlets discontinued.
Buzzer sounds when door is opened and key is left in ignition. "Formula
Vee" Beetle introduced.
late 1970
New third and fourth gears with finer teeth resulted in better mesh and
reduced transmission noise.
1971
1600 engine with dual port heads introduced, 60hp. Installed a flow-through
air system with vents behind rear windows. Tail lights changed again. Three
part intake manifold. Chrome exhaust valve stems. New combination vacuum/centrifugal
advance distributor. Installed the activated charcoal filter for the gas tank
fumes. Solex 34 PICT-3 carburetor. Door buzzer. New oil cooler which causes
a bump in the fan shrouding (dog house style) which cools cylinder number
three better. Pressed-in engine mounting nut on the left side of case. New
clutch throw-out assembly and ball bearing. Headlights go off when the ignition
is off. First year of super beetle. It has McPherson struts and bigger front
brakes.
B. Pack writes, "hey you missed one, in 1971 there was a champion edition
it had slotted sport wheels with small center caps (slots were on the outside
of the rim in a spoke like pattern not at all like the sport bugs (1973)and
sport steering wheel and came in steel blue/ grey only (I believe), with stripes
similar to the sport bug (of 1973)but had red in it with the black. it had
special taper flared exhaust tips and black bumpers?(not 100% positive on
the black bumpers though) and I cant recall if it had sport seats but the
seats were cloth."
late 1971
Larger oil pump. Different camshaft with four rivets instead three holding
camshaft gear. Seperate wiring harness added for VW Computer Analysis system.
1972
Air intake slots on rear hood increased from two to four. Many more hoses
and complicated gizmos for smog control. New steering column with safty collapse
feature. New distributor with a vacuum retard at idle. Exhaust reburner. (EGR)
New muffler. Transmission third and fourth gear synchronizer rings were modified
to prevent fourth gear howling which sometimes resulted from a cold transmission.
Special "Baja Bug" introduced. Ghia has bigger front disc pads.
late 1972
Tires changed from 5.60x15 to 6.00x15.
1973
Horsepower drops from 60 to 58. Alternator replaces generator in mid-year
and increases output to 600W. Improved intake pre-heating for faster cold-weather
starts. Huge round taillights and front turn signals. Reinforcement of the
engine case in the flywheel area near number 3 cylinder. Softer transmission
mounting with different style mounts. More durable, easier to operate clutch.
Porsche-style pressure plate. Oil drain plug removed from oil strainer cover.
New three point front seats adjustable to 77 different positions. New heavy
duty braced doors. New fuel pump redesigned with cutoff valve and made to
clear alternator. Front and rear wheel bearings no longer require periodic
lubrication. Redesigned fresh air system. Paper filter air cleaner. New curved
windshield and expensive, big dash in super beetle. Interior light assembly
changed. Stronger bumpers add an inch to overall length. "Sports Bug"
introduced.
1974
New self restoring energy absorbing bumpers. New quieter muffler. New cylinder
head alloy for better heat dissipation. Steering wheel made more elastic to
"give" more in case of an accident. Smaller front seat headrests
give better visibility for a change. Computer check sensor pressed into top
of block, close to flywheel, to read TDC (top dead center). Computer check
sensor to check ignition voltage. Seat belt ignition interlock system added.
Seat belt and brake warning lights combined into single unit. Super beetle
and convertible have a bit of negative king pin offset for better tracking
under braking conditions. Super beetle has a square glove compartment lock
instead of round. Warning light for hand brake. Ghia has thicker front disc
pads. Last year of Ghia in United States. "Love Bug" and "Sun
Bug" introduced.
late 1974
Alternator has an integral regulator. Distributor is now vacuum and centrifically
activated.
1975
Fuel injection replaces carburetor. Engine case now made from a better alloy
classified as AS21. It retains its original structure and sheds heat better
than previous cases. Engine case no longer has a hole for the old mechanical
fuel pump. "Fuel Injection" added to rear deck. Larger exhaust valve
stems for better heat transfer. Clutch pedal pressure eased. New heat exchangers
for greater output. Odometer triggers red warning light "EGR" in
speedometer to notify drivers of service requirement. Single tailpipe. Last
year of the super beetle in United States. "Le Grande Bug" introduced.
1976
Metallic paint, full carpeting, sports-style wheel rim, and rear window
defogger are now standard equipment. Redesigned front seats with improved
back adjustments. All trim components chrome-plated. Two-speed fresh air fan
standard on all models. Automatic Stick Shift discontinued.
late 1976
New speedometer with outer scale in miles per hour and inner scale in kilometer.
1977
Front seats have new backrests with seperate adjustable headrests. Redesigned
door panels. Redesigned pedal pads. Plastic headlight rings replace chrome-plated
metal units. Last year of beetle in United States. "Champagne Edition"
convertible introduced.
1978
"Champagne II Edition" convertible introduced.
1979
Intermittent windshield wiper system standard equipment. "Epilog"
special edition released. Last year of convertible in United States.
1980
Remaining cars built after 12/31/79 carried 1979 serial numbers for emission
reasons. Most of the "1980" models were produced during the 1979
production year.