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. Got it?
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 preceding the numbers help identify the engine size and horsepower. Below are some tables which shows all changes which has occurred 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
Sunvisor and grab handles provided for passenger’s side
Increased horsepower; from 36 to 40
Automatic choke introduced
Transmission synchronised in all forward speeds
Increased trunk space due to the flatter style gas tank
Transparent “Quick Check” brake fluid reservoir
Pump-type windshield washer
Non-repeat starter switch
1962
4 010 995
to
4 846 835
Sping-loaded hood
Larger taillights
Sliding covers on the outlets
Compressed air windshield washer
Seat belt mounting points added
Gas gauge; formerly reserve fuel tap
1963
4 846 836
to
5 677 118
Leatherette headliner introduced
Wolfsburg hood crest dropped
Foam insulated floor
Fresh air heating
Nylon window guides
1964
5 677 119
to
6 502 399
Crank operated sliding steel sunroof replaces the fabric sunroof
Horn acuated by two thumb buttons
Larger license plate light
Aerated vinyl material replaces nonporous leatherette seat upholstery
1965
115 000 001
to
115 979 200
Windows enlarged; slimmer door and windshield posts.
Heat control levers mounted on tunnel; heater efficiency improved.
Rear seat-back converts to platform
Push-button catch on engine lid
Thinner, deeply contoured front seats; increased rear seat knee room
Swivel mounted sun visors
1966
116 000 001
to
116 1 021 298
Increased horsepower (from 40 to 50) and displacement (from 1200cc to 1300cc), number 1300 on engine lid
Ventilating wheel slots; flat hub caps
Headlight dimmer switch mounted on turn signal
Center-dash defroster outlet
Semi-circular horn ring
1967
117 000 001
to
117 844 892
Increased horespower (from 50 to 53) and displacement (from 1300cc to 1500cc)
Single-unit headlights with chrome rim; fender indented
Dual brake system; front and rear operate independently
Back-up lights
Parking light incorporated into front turn signals
Locking buttons on door
12 Volt electrical system (36 amp battery)
VOLKSWAGEN nameplate on engine lid
1968
118 000 000
to
118 1 016 098
One piece bumpers; bows and overriders eliminated (bumper height raised)
Head restraints combined with front seat backrests
Optional automatic stick shift introduced
External gas filler; spring loaded flap
Front hood air intake louver; push button front hood catch
Fresh air ventilating system
Collapsible steering column
Exhaust emission control system
Flattened door handles with built in trigger release
Back-up light, brake light and rear turn signal in single housing
Certification sticker on door post that vehicle meets federal safety standards
1969
119 00 001
to
119 1 93 704
Rear window defogger and defroster; electric heating wires on inner surface of glass
Double-jointed (IRS) rear axle for improved ride and handling
Warning lights in speedometer identified by letters or symbols
Ignition lock is combined with a locking device for the steering wheel
Gas tank filler neck flap has lock which has a release under the right side of the dash panel
Front hood release is located in the glove compartment
Day/night rear view mirror
Warm air outlets at base of the doors moved rearward; remote control knobs on door columns
1970
11 0 2000001
to
11 0 3096945
Air intake slots on engine lid
Increased horsepower (from 53 to 57) and displacement (from 1500cc to 1600cc)
Enlarged front turn signals (combined with side marker lights)
Reflectors mounted on rear bumper
Tenths of a mile indicator on odometer (also appears on late ’69 models)
Head restraints reduced in size
Buzzer sounds when door is opened and key is left in the ignition
Remote control knobs for warm air outlets discontinued
Lock in glove compartment door
Side reflectors built into taillight housing
Year
Description
1971 Beetle
Increased horsepower, from 57 to 60
Flow-through ventilation and exhaust ports behind rear side windows
Headlights automatically go off and parking lights stay on when ignition is turned off
Larger taillights
1971 Super Beetle
In addition to major improvements built into the 1971 Beetle, the Super Beetle features fan powered flow-through ventilation
Nearly double the trunk space of the Beetle. Spare tire positioned horizontally under trunk floor
New coil spring front suspension giving the car a wider front track and tighter turning circle
Carpeted floors
Rubber bumper inserts
1971 Chassis Number:
1112 000 001 –
1412 000 001 –
1972 Beetle and Super Beetle
Larger rear window
Four sets of louvers on rear hood (all models)
Enlarged outer door handle finger recesses and trigger
Lid over rear luggage area
New safety steering wheel
Rubber body mounts to reduce noise
Windshield wiper switch on steering column
Lower compression ratio
Pistons have recessed crowns
Modified chokes on carburetor
Modified muffler and pre-heater pipe for faster preheating
Preheated air controlled by temperature and engine vacuum
Special system on automatic stick shifts to reduce nitrogen oxides
1972 Chassis Number:
1122 000 001 –
1422 000 001 –
1973 Beetle and Super Beetle
Energy absorbing bumpers
Safety interlock seat belts
Modified exhaust gas re-circulation
TDC sensor flywheel
Negative steering roll radius (113 only)
New cylinder head alloy
1973 Chassis Number:
1132 000 001 –
1432 000 001 –
1974 Beetle and Super Beetle
New windshield wiper arms
Redesigned dash
Improved transmission mounts
Parking lock on automatic stick shift
Reinforced side guard doors
Exhaust gas re-circulation modifications
Larger taillights
Curved windshield
Improved fresh air ventilation
1974 Chassis Number:
1142 000 001 –
1442 000 001 –
1975 Beetle and Super Beetle
Electronic fuel injection with FUEL INJECTION insigna on rear deck lid
Single tailpipe
Increased horsepower; 48 hp up from 46 (SAE net)
Clutch pedal pressure eased
Larger exhaust valve stems for better heat transfer
New heat exchangers for greater heater output
Installation of battery ground cable with diagnosis contact for more accurate computer analysis readings
Odometer triggers red warning light EGR in speedometer to notify driver of service requirements
California models with catalytic converter require lead free gasoline; fuel filler neck has smaller opening for nozzle
Maintenance intervals extended to 15,000 miles
1975 Chassis Number:
1152 000 001 –
1352 000 001 –
1976 and 1977 Beetle and Super Beetle
New speedometer with outer scale in mile per hour and inner scalein kilometers per hour (on most 1976 models)
Redesigned front seats with improved back adjustment, for added comfort and body support
2-Speed fresh air blower
All trim components chrome plated
Automatic stick shift option
Standard rear window defogger
Standard sports style wheel rims and full carpeting
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
Article and Information Credits: Robert Kuhn
Image Credits: Gurinder Singh Rance