Beetle Year Identification and Chassis Number Table

by Robert Kuhn

What year is it?

It's not easy to tell one year from another. External changes throughout the years have been relatively minor. The only positive way to tell the year is by chassis number. Volkswagen began a chassis numbering sequence that ran consecutively from the 1940's through 1964.

Beginning in 1965, Volkswagen incorporated the year and model in the chassis number.

The first two digits identify the model as a Beetle (11) or a Karmann Ghia (14). The third digit is the last digit of the year, for example 5 would indicate 1965 and 2 would indicate 1972. The last six to seven digits are the chassis serial number.

So, if the first three digits of your chassis number is 118, then it would mean that it's a 1968 Beetle. Get it?

The location of the chassis number:

  • Stamped on the frame tunnel under the rear seat

  • On the ID plate behind the spare tire on all except Super Beetles.

  • On the ID plate next to the front hood lock on Super Beetles

  • On all cars since January 1, 1969, at the top edge of the instrumental panel.

The engine number is stamped on the base of the generator/alternator stand. The letter preceeding the numbers help identify the engine size and horsepower.

Below are some tables which shows all changes which has occured from 1961 through 1977. But remember, the presence of one or more of these changes does not identify a particular model year. Parts are very easily changed between years which is one of the great things about the Volkswagen in general.

Year Chassis Numbers Description
1961 3 192 507
to
4 010 994
  1. Sunvisor and grab handles provided for passenger's side
  2. Increased horsepower; from 36 to 40
  3. Automatic choke introduced
  4. Transmission synchronized in all forward speeds
  5. Increased trunk space due to the flatter style gas tank
  6. Transparent "Quick Check" brake fluid reservoir
  7. Pump-type windshield washer
  8. Non-repeat starter switch
1962 4 010 995
to
4 846 835
  1. Sping-loaded hood
  2. Larger taillights
  3. Sliding covers on the outlets
  4. Compressed air windshield washer
  5. Seat belt mounting points added
  6. Gas gauge; formerly reserve fuel tap
1963 4 846 836
to
5 677 118
  1. Leatherette headliner introduced
  2. Wolfsburg hood crest dropped
  3. Foam insulated floor
  4. Fresh air heating
  5. Nylon window guides
1964 5 677 119
to
6 502 399
  1. Crank operated sliding steel sunroof replaces the fabric sunroof
  2. Horn acuated by two thumb buttons
  3. Larger license plate light
  4. Aerated vinyl material replaces nonporous leatherette seat upholstery
1965 115 000 001
to
115 979 200
  1. Windows enlarged; slimmer door and windshield posts.
  2. Heat control levers mounted on tunnel; heater efficiency improved.
  3. Rear seatback converts to platform
  4. Push-button catch on engine lid
  5. Thinner, deeply contoured front seats; increased rear seat knee room
  6. Swivel mounted sun visors
1966 116 000 001
to
116 1 021 298
  1. Increased horsepower (from 40 to 50) and displacement (from 1200cc to 1300cc), number 1300 on engine lid
  2. Ventilating wheel slots; flat hub caps
  3. Headlight dimmer switch mounted on turn signal
  4. Center-dash defroster outlet
  5. Semi-circular horn ring
1967 117 000 001
to
117 844 892
  1. Increased horespower (from 50 to 53) and displacement (from 1300cc to 1500cc)
  2. Single-unit headlights with chrome rim; fender indented
  3. Dual brake system; front and rear operate independently
  4. Back-up lights
  5. Parking light incorporated into front turn signals
  6. Locking buttons on door
  7. 12 Volt electrical system (36 amp battery)
  8. VOLKSWAGEN nameplate on engine lid
1968 118 000 000
to
118 1 016 098
  1. One piece bumpers; bows and overriders eliminated (bumper height raised)
  2. Head restraints combined with front seat backrests
  3. Optional automatic stick shift introduced
  4. External gas filler; spring loaded flap
  5. Front hood air intake louver; push button front hood catch
  6. Fresh air ventilating system
  7. Collapsible steering column
  8. Exhaust emission control system
  9. Flattened door handles with built in trigger release
  10. Back-up light, brake light and rear turn signal in single housing
  11. Certification sticker on door post that vehicle meets federal safety standards
1969 119 00 001
to
119 1 93 704
  1. Rear window defogger and defroster; electric heating wires on inner surface of glass
  2. Double-jointed (IRS) rear axle for improved ride and handling
  3. Warning lights in speedometer identified by letters or symbols
  4. Ignition lock is combined with a locking device for the steering wheel
  5. Gas tank filler neck flap has lock which has a release under the right side of the dash panel
  6. Front hood release is located in the glove compartment
  7. Day/night rear view mirror
  8. Warm air outlets at base of the doors moved rearward; remote control knobs on door columns
1970 11 0 2000001
to
11 0 3096945
  1. Air intake slots on engine lid
  2. Increased horsepower (from 53 to 57) and displacement (from 1500cc to 1600cc)
  3. Enlarged front turn signals (combined with side marker lights)
  4. Reflectors mounted on rear bumper
  5. Tenths of a mile indicator on odometer (also appears on late '69 models)
  6. Head restraints reduced in size
  7. Buzzer sounds when door is opened and key is left in the ignition
  8. Remote control knobs for warm air outlets discontinued
  9. Lock in glove compartment door
  10. Side reflectors built into taillight housing

Year Desciption
1971 Beetle
  1. Increased horsepower, from 57 to 60
  2. Flow-through ventilation and exhaust ports behind rear side windows
  3. Headlights automatically go off and parking lights stay on when ignition is turned off
  4. Larger taillights
1971 Super Beetle
  1. In addition to major improvements built into the 1971 Beetle, the Super Beetle features fan powered flow-through ventilation
  2. Nearly double the trunk space of the Beetle. Spare tire positioned horizontally under trunk floor
  3. New coil spring front suspension giving the car a wider front track and tighter turning circle
  4. Carpeted floors
  5. Rubber bumper inserts
1971 Chassis Number: 1112 000 001 -
1412 000 001 -
1972 Beetle and Super Beetle
  1. Larger rear window
  2. Four sets of louvers on rear hood (all models)
  3. Enlarged outer door handle finger recesses and trigger
  4. Lid over rear luggage area
  5. New safety steering wheel
  6. Rubber body mounts to reduce noise
  7. Windshield wiper switch on steering column
  8. Lower compression ratio
  9. Pistons have recessed crowns
  10. Modified chokes on carburetor
  11. Modified muffler and preheater pipe for faster preheating
  12. Preheated air controlled by temprature and engine vacum
  13. Special system on automatic stick shifts to reduce nitrogen oxides
1972 Chassis Number: 1122 000 001 -
1422 000 001 -
1973 Beetle and Super Beetle
  1. Energy absorbing bumpers
  2. Safety interlock seat belts
  3. Modified exhaust gas recirculation
  4. TDC sensor flywheel
  5. Negative steering roll radius (113 only)
  6. New cylinder head alloy
1973 Chassis Number: 1132 000 001 -
1432 000 001 -
1974 Beetle and Super Beetle
  1. New windshield wiper arms
  2. Redesigned dash
  3. Improved transmission mounts
  4. Parking lock on automatic stick shift
  5. Reinforced side gaurd doors
  6. Exhaust gas recirculation modifications
  7. Larger taillights
  8. Curved windshield
  9. Improved fresh air ventilation
1974 Chassis Number: 1142 000 001 -
1442 000 001 -
1975 Beetle and Super Beetle
  1. Electronic fuel injection with FUEL INJECTION insigna on rear deck lid
  2. Single tailpipe
  3. Increased horsepower; 48 hp up from 46 (SAE net)
  4. Clutch pedal pressure eased
  5. Larger exhaust valve stems for better heat transfer
  6. New heat exchangers for greater heater output
  7. Installation of battery ground cable with diagnosis contact for more accurate computer analysis readings
  8. Odometer triggers red warning light EGR in speedometer to notify driver of service requirements
  9. California models with catalytic converter require lead free gasoline; fuel filler neck has smaller opening for nozzle
  10. Maintenance intervals extended to 15,000 miles
1975 Chassis Number: 1152 000 001 -
1352 000 001 -
1976 and 1977 Beetle and Super Beetle
  1. New speedometer with outer scale in mile per hour and inner scalein kilometers per hour (on most 1976 models)
  2. Redesigned front seats with improved back adjustment, for added comfort and body support
  3. 2-Speed fresh air blower
  4. All trim components chrome plated
  5. Automatic stick shift option
  6. Standard rear window defogger
  7. Standard sports style wheel rims and full carpeting
  8. high altitude over 4,000 ft. above sea level
1976 Chassis Number: 1162 000 001 -
1977 Chassis Number: 1172 000 001 -

Chassis Number and Engine Number/Letters

Year Chassis Number Engine Number Displacement Horse Power
1961
1962
1963
1964 		3,192,507 - 4,010,994
4,010,995 - 4,846,835
4,846,836 - 5,677,118
5,677,119 - 6,502,399 		5,000,001 - 8,309,892 1200 40
1965 115 000 001 -
145 000 001 -		 D 1200 40
1966 116 000 001 -
146 000 001 -		 F 1300 50
1967 117 000 001 -
147 000 001 -		 H 1500 53
1968 118 000 001 -
148 000 001 -		 H 1500 53
1969 119 000 001 -
149 000 001 -		 H 1500 53
1970 1102 000 001 -
1402 000 001 -		 B 1600 57
1971 1112 000 001 -
1412 000 001 -		 AE 1600 60
1972 1122 000 001 -
1422 000 001 -		 AE 1600 57
1973 1132 000 001 -
1432 000 001 -		 AH 1600 46
1974 1142 000 001 -
1442 000 001 -		 AH 1600 46

Here's the chassis numbers for 1975 thru 1979. I don't know what the engine letter/number is for these years. The horse power rating are from other sources (ie: peers, magazine articles, books, et cetera).

Year Chassis Number Engine Number Displacement Horse Power
1975 1152 000 001 -
1352 000 001 -		 Unkown by me 1600 48
1975 1152 000 001 - Unkown by me 1600 48
1976 1162 000 001 -
Unkown by me 1600 48
1977 1172 000 001 -
Unkown by me 1600 48
1978 (*) 1582 000 001 -
Unkown by me 1600 48
1979 (*) 1592 000 001 -
Unkown by me 1600 48
(*) = Convertible only

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