VIN Number Question

I am trying verify the VIN Number and year of my vintage VW beetle.

Where is best place to look for my VIN number ? If it is on a metal plate - where is the VIN # located ?

Is there a VIN # on the chassis, as well ?

What digit placeholder is the key to this puzzle ?

If the third VIN digit is an '9', does it mean that the vehicle is a '59'.

Please help !

Thank you.

Could be a 1969.Does it say 119? A 1969 would have single bar bumpers,a rear defroster grid,and backup lights.Also a padded dash,and double jointed rear drive shafts.There was no 1979 Beetle,just a Cabriolet.So its a 1959 or 1969.1969 more likely.

From 1969 on, the VIN plate is located on a plate riveted to the driver's (left) side defrost vent. Prior to that it was located on a plate behind the spare tire in the trunk. 1965 on has 10 digit VINs. Prior to 1956 they had 6 digit VINs, 1956 had 6 or 7 digits, and 1957 to '64 had 7.

On all VWs the VIN is stamped into the top of the tunnel, under the rear seat in front of the inspection plate.. You'll probably have to scrape away a bunch of sisel (horse hair) dust, dirt, glue, etc. to be able to find it.

The method of the 3rd number signifying the year, didn't begin until 1965. For example, 119XXXXXXX signifies Type 1, Sedan, 1969 model year. Although Type 1 and sedan may seem redundant, you have to remember that the Karman Ghia is alo considered a Type 1.

As was mentioned, 1979 Bugs were all convertibles, so if yours is a hard top, and has a 10 digit VIN, it's a '69.

Could be a 1969.Does it say 119? A 1969 would have single bar bumpers,a rear defroster grid,and backup lights.Also a padded dash,and double jointed rear drive shafts.There was no 1979 Beetle,just a Cabriolet.So its a 1959 or 1969.1969 more likely.

MY BEETLE IS EITHER A '58 DELUXE OR '59. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU SAY, '69 more likely'. I DON'T COLLECT VWs THAT ARE LATER THAN '67 !

The beetle I have has NONE of the following parts: single bar bumpers, a rear defroster grid, and backup lights...

Thanks anyway...

When you find the VIN, post it here. I can look it up in my sources and tell you exactly what year it is.

From 1969 on, the VIN plate is located on a plate riveted to the driver's (left) side defrost vent. Prior to that it was located on a plate behind the spare tire in the trunk. 1965 on has 10 digit VINs. Prior to 1956 they had 6 digit VINs, 1956 had 6 or 7 digits, and 1957 to '64 had 7.

On all VWs the VIN is stamped into the top of the tunnel, under the rear seat in front of the inspection plate.. You'll probably have to scrape away a bunch of sisel (horse hair) dust, dirt, glue, etc. to be able to find it.

The method of the 3rd number signifying the year, didn't begin until 1965. For example, 119XXXXXXX signifies Type 1, Sedan, 1969 model year. Although Type 1 and sedan may seem redundant, you have to remember that the Karman Ghia is alo considered a Type 1.

As was mentioned, 1979 Bugs were all convertibles, so if yours is a hard top, and has a 10 digit VIN, it's a '69.

Thanks for your responce. My beetle is a rag top (with original clips) and has the 7 DIGIT VIN PLATE NUMBER (located by behing spare tire in front compartment): '6199567'. However, my car has turn signal blinkers on front fenders and a window washer. I am trying to decipher if my car is a 1959 or '58 Deluxe.

Please help. Thanks.

MY BEETLE IS EITHER A '58 DELUXE OR '59. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU SAY, '69 more likely'. I DON'T COLLECT VWs THAT ARE LATER THAN '67 !

The beetle I have has NONE of the following parts: single bar bumpers, a rear defroster grid, and backup lights...

Thanks anyway...

Ok....but you probably should have said that it was no newer than a 1959,and didnt have features of a later car.A 119**** VIN would be a 1969 nonetheless,I know,I have one and have had it since 1989.

Thanks for your responce. My beetle is a rag top (with original clips) and has the 7 DIGIT VIN PLATE NUMBER (located by behing spare tire in front compartment): '6199567'. However, my car has turn signal blinkers on front fenders and a window washer. I am trying to decipher if my car is a 1959 or '58 Deluxe.

Please help. Thanks.

According to that number, you have a 1964.

According to that number, you have a 1964.

Is there another place to verify this VIN Number ? My title says '58. Ironically, the VIN # on the Title does not match the VIN # on the VIN PLATE (by spare tire).

Please advise.

Thanks,

Casey

Pull the back seat and look on the hump, just in front of the inspection cover.

It's possible. No. Probable that you have a '64 body on an early chassis. Vehicles are titled by the frame number, not the body number. Bodys and frames are switched all the time on these cars.

Find the number on the hump and get back to us.

Pull the back seat and look on the hump, just in front of the inspection cover.

It's possible. No. Probable that you have a '64 body on an early chassis. Vehicles are titled by the frame number, not the body number. Bodys and frames are switched all the time on these cars.

Find the number on the hump and get back to us.

I have found the stamped VIN Number under the back seat (on hump), it reads ... '1646594'. This number also matches the # on my Title.

Note: the title clearly says '58, but that may not be right !

I may have to call in an Expert on this matter, because bad Title is 'bad news'.

Please let me know.

Thanks,

I wouldn't consider it "bad title".

As I said, the title is supposed to match the vehicle frame. What body is bolted on the frame doesn't matter. 1646594 does indeed translate to an early 1958. More precisely, built in August 1957, for the 1958 model year.

Somewhere along the line, somebody removed the 1958 body and replaced it with a 1964 body. As far as legality, nothing was done wrong, unless the 1964 body is off of a stolen car, and a body switch was done to try and disguise it. Possible. But as much as bodies were swapped on these cars for various reasons (excess rust, newer features, etc) it's probably harmless.

As an example, a company called Beetle Mex used to take older frames (say a 1969) and remove every component, except the pan (frame) they would then recondition it and install all new parts, including the body from a new Mexican Beetle. The title reflected a 1969 VW, but the car was in essence a brand new 2002, or whatever year they took the new parts off of. This was to get around the US safety and emission standards which prevented new Mexican beetles from being imported into the US. Perfectly legal.

My suggestion is to check with the local Motor Vehicle Department or the local Police and have them run the body VIN just to be sure. If it comes up clean, you're set to go.

If it comes up stolen, You may or may not lose it, but they will want to know any history you might have on the car. (where you got it, etc).

I wouldn't consider it "bad title".

As I said, the title is supposed to match the vehicle frame. What body is bolted on the frame doesn't matter. 1646594 does indeed translate to an early 1958. More precisely, built in August 1957, for the 1958 model year.

Somewhere along the line, somebody removed the 1958 body and replaced it with a 1964 body. As far as legality, nothing was done wrong, unless the 1964 body is off of a stolen car, and a body switch was done to try and disguise it. Possible. But as much as bodies were swapped on these cars for various reasons (excess rust, newer features, etc) it's probably harmless.

As an example, a company called Beetle Mex used to take older frames (say a 1969) and remove every component, except the pan (frame) they would then recondition it and install all new parts, including the body from a new Mexican Beetle. The title reflected a 1969 VW, but the car was in essence a brand new 2002, or whatever year they took the new parts off of. This was to get around the US safety and emission standards which prevented new Mexican beetles from being imported into the US. Perfectly legal.

My suggestion is to check with the local Motor Vehicle Department or the local Police and have them run the body VIN just to be sure. If it comes up clean, you're set to go.

If it comes up stolen, You may or may not lose it, but they will want to know any history you might have on the car. (where you got it, etc).

This CHASSIS (frame) VIN information is very valuable to me. Thanks!
However, I still do not have proof that the body is indeed a 1964 body.
The '58 Deluxe Model Beetle DID have a lot of 61-64 features.

Could I post pictures somewhere on the web or have someone confirm the body year on this car?

Thanks again,

However, I still do not have proof that the body is indeed a 1964 body.

The proof is in the VIN you provided from the plate in the spare tire well of the body. 6199567 The VIN range for the 1964 model year is 5677119 - 6502399. Breaking it down further, manufactured in February of 1964.

There were some differences in the body and lights from 1958 to 1964. Mostly interior, but there's no guarantee the interior components are original. Differences include:

A leatherette type of headliner, as opposed to cloth. (changed in 1962)
Padded Sun Visors (changed in 1960)
Gas tank is flatter (1961)
Fuel gauge (1961) Prior to this, there was a ZAR lever on the front firewall. ZAR being German abbreviations for Closed (Zu) Open (Auf) and Reserve.
Front hood has spring loaded hinges (1961)
Anchor points for seat belts(1961)
*Larger license plate light. (1964)
*Larger tail lights (1961 and earlier had flat lenses, '62 and up had squared/domed lenses)
*Larger front turn signals (1963 and under had skinny, clear lens signals/'64 and up wider/amber lenses)

Don't rely simply on light configuration, they, along with fenders, were easy to and frequently changed.

Those are a few things that will differentiate early bodies from later ones. But the VIN number says it all. I would be willing to bet that the body is indeed a 1964.

The proof is in the VIN you provided from the plate in the spare tire well of the body. 6199567 The VIN range for the 1964 model year is 5677119 - 6502399. Breaking it down further, manufactured in February of 1964.

There were some differences in the body and lights from 1958 to 1964. Mostly interior, but there's no guarantee the interior components are original. Differences include:

A leatherette type of headliner, as opposed to cloth. (changed in 1962)
Padded Sun Visors (changed in 1960)
Gas tank is flatter (1961)
Fuel gauge (1961) Prior to this, there was a ZAR lever on the front firewall. ZAR being German abbreviations for Closed (Zu) Open (Auf) and Reserve.
Front hood has spring loaded hinges (1961)
Anchor points for seat belts(1961)
*Larger license plate light. (1964)
*Larger tail lights (1961 and earlier had flat lenses, '62 and up had squared/domed lenses)
*Larger front turn signals (1963 and under had skinny, clear lens signals/'64 and up wider/amber lenses)

Don't rely simply on light configuration, they, along with fenders, were easy to and frequently changed.

Those are a few things that will differentiate early bodies from later ones. But the VIN number says it all. I would be willing to bet that the body is indeed a 1964.

BoatCop:

You have been a lot of help. Now I am going to find the former owner of my supposed '58 VW Beetle Deluxe and the two of us are going to chat about this matter. In this meeting, however, I will be packing my wooden lacrosse stick (it is a patented 'seventies' brine head equipped with a heavy hickory handle for added weight : my predecessor knicknamed it the 'human eraser') and bringing along the 'pain train crew'. I will keep you informed on the outcome.

Thanks,

The proof is in the VIN you provided from the plate in the spare tire well of the body. 6199567 The VIN range for the 1964 model year is 5677119 - 6502399. Breaking it down further, manufactured in February of 1964.

There were some differences in the body and lights from 1958 to 1964. Mostly interior, but there's no guarantee the interior components are original. Differences include:

A leatherette type of headliner, as opposed to cloth. (changed in 1962)
Padded Sun Visors (changed in 1960)
Gas tank is flatter (1961)
Fuel gauge (1961) Prior to this, there was a ZAR lever on the front firewall. ZAR being German abbreviations for Closed (Zu) Open (Auf) and Reserve.
Front hood has spring loaded hinges (1961)
Anchor points for seat belts(1961)
*Larger license plate light. (1964)
*Larger tail lights (1961 and earlier had flat lenses, '62 and up had squared/domed lenses)
*Larger front turn signals (1963 and under had skinny, clear lens signals/'64 and up wider/amber lenses)

Don't rely simply on light configuration, they, along with fenders, were easy to and frequently changed.

Those are a few things that will differentiate early bodies from later ones. But the VIN number says it all. I would be willing to bet that the body is indeed a 1964.

If the body of my car is indeed a 1964, how do I re-estimate the value
when I wish to re-sell the car?

BTW, why would someone want to put a 1964 body onto a 1958 chassis?

If the body of my car is indeed a 1964, how do I re-estimate the value
when I wish to re-sell the car?

BTW, why would someone want to put a 1964 body onto a 1958 chassis?

Usually when a body is replaced, it's due to a severe rust problem on the original car, or a better condition donor body, or in your case, maybe the guy wanted a Vert on his good '58 frame.

The car is legally a 1958, however you should tell any potential buyers that the body is a '64. That fact shouldn't dissuade any buyers, except for a real traditionalist looking for an "original" vehicle. Actually it's more valuable as a Vert, than if it had the original body.(Unless it was a vert, too.)

I've got many later parts on my '69. The deck lid is from a '72 for the deck lid vents. (additional cooling here in the desert), wipers and wiper shafts from a '73, and a few other mods to make it more user friendly to me.

Most casual VW owners probably wouldn't know the difference, but there are many of us out there that have educated ourselves on the intricacies of the different years.



Always be upfront about the origin of the car.

everyone's knowledge on this subject baffles me