E Z Repairable V W Bettle 2014?

When ordering parts or restoring a car dorsum to its original spec, it'due south useful to know as much most your Issues every bit possible. Here's how to unravel the nighttime fine art of engine and chassis codes…

First things first – y'all need to know where to look to notice the necessary numbers. The 'birth certificate' for your Bug volition exist underneath the bonnet next to where it locks to the forepart apron – it volition tell you the origin of the automobile as well as the chassis number. The chassis number can also exist seen on the centre function of the chassis, nether the rear seat and in the windscreen of very late Protrude models. The engine number is the like shooting fish in a barrel one – it'southward on the generator/alternator pedestal support.

brochure

So what do all the numbers mean, and what can they tell you about your auto?

Chassis Numbers
Starting with chassis numbers, the Beetle has always had the factory designation of Type 1 and with the exception of the period from 1956 to 1964, the chassis number volition commencement with a 1 or 11. Chassis numbers started at one-0001 in 1940, merely because the Type 1 prefix likewise included armed services vehicles, by 1945 when the numbering had reached 1-053814, only a few hundred Beetles had been built. By 1955, once Beetle product had reached one million, the 1 prefix was followed by seven digits. The prefix was and so dropped; the last car produced in 1956 being given the number 1394119. The numbering system changed in 1965 with the introduction of a three digit prefix consisting of 11 to denote the Beetle (the Karmann Ghia was designated Type xiv and the Cabrio Type 15), followed by a digit to denote the model year, eg 5 for 1965 and and so on. The get-go Bug to go out the production line in August 1964, therefore, was 115 000 001.

plate

In 1970, a ii was added to indicate the second decade, then the kickoff 1970 model made in Baronial 1969 was given the number 110 2 000 001. The last Protrude produced in Germany was 118 two 034 030. Instead of using 110 iii for the showtime 1980 model, produced in Baronial 1979, the chassis number 11A 0000001 was adopted. When international standardisation took place, this became WVWzzz11zAM000001. WVW ways Volkswagen private cars, the z's are fill in characters and the letter 'M' in the 11^th position denotes the country of industry, in this case Mexico. Dating some cars is easier than with others; the build date of June 1979 is easy to interpret on this US Cabriolet sticker. Y'all might also discover date stamps on parts such as wheels – although bear in listen rims might have been sitting around a while before being fitted, then don't worry if they predate the automobile's build date by a yr!

late label

'Blazon' numbers
The chassis number only contains the first two 'Type' digits, but in fact the full Type numbers were made up of three digits up until 1968, then half dozen thereafter. A summary of the post '68 numbers are as follows:

1^st digit     i = Protrude
2^nd digit    1 = 122/1300/1500
3^rd digit     1,3,five = Left-hand drive, ii,4,6 = Right-hand drive
4^th digit     0 = Standard model, i = L version, 7,8 = US version
5^th digit     Engine type, i = 1200 34bhp, 2 =1300 44bhp, 3 = 1500 44bhp or 1600 50bhp
iv = 1400 with emission control, 5,6 = 1600 48bhp
six^th digit     1 = manual gearbox, ii = semi automatic

engine

Engine codes
It'due south ever interesting to know what engine'due south in your Beetle and you lot tin bank check by looking at the prefix. Engine number prefixes were showtime used in 1965 with the introduction of the 1300, with other Beetle numbers as follows:

A = 1200 30bhp
D = 1200 34bhp
E = 1300 37bhp
F = 1300 40bhp
H = 1500 44bhp
L = 1500 40bhp
AB = 1300 44bhp
Air conditioning = 1300 40bhp
AD = 1600 50bhp
AE = 1600 48bhp (US)
AF = 1600 46bhp
AG = 1600 44bhp (Type 181)
AH = 1600 48bhp (US)
AJ = 1600 50bhp (fuel injection)
AK = 1600 48bhp (US)
AL = 1600 48bhp (Blazon 181)
AM = 1600 48bhp (Blazon 181, US)
AR = 1300 44bhp
Every bit = 1600 50bhp

Data stickers
To misfile matters slightly, some Beetles were fitted with a sticker (commonly stuck the metalwork by spare cycle well) which gives the chassis number, type number, engine and gearbox code, paint codes and a list of whatsoever manufactory fitted options. Accessories fitted by the supplying dealer, of course, wouldn't exist included.

sticker

The colour code could testify useful when carrying out restoration piece of work, of course, and past identifying the original interior trim, you can determine whether items have been changed. Meanwhile, the options list will tell you which accessories were fitted when it left the factory. So, for example, if you're cracking on returning your Issues to original spec – it will tell yous what accessories to go along, which to ditch and what parts are missing… The list published on TheSamba.com here might testify useful. If y'all've done whatever detective work yourself regarding Beetle M numbers, we'd love to hear from yous…

Ian

The opinions expressed hither are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.