The following Volkswagen Beetle information is targeted mainly towards the export models that
Volkswagen produced. In some cases this may only apply to models shipped to the United States.
Sorry if this information only or mostly applies to models exported to the U.S.
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.