In honor of my '76 VW Beetle

After cleaning our "junk" drawer in the kitchen as part of an attempt to follow along here, I came across a note paper. I recognized the notes from when I had given a speech on the history of the VW Beetle in college, in 1998! No, I'm not a pack rat ;)

I had saved these notes since they were a detailed listing of various "feature" changes on the beetle throughout the years. This is by no means a complete (or even 100% accurate) listing. Remember, this was only a 5 minute speech. One in which I found out that not everyone shared in my love of the VW Beetle, go figure!


Year differences:
1951 - split window, "W" deck lid, tiny taillights
1952 - last of dual glove box
1953 - oval window, "W" deck lid, same wheels as '51?, last 25 HP motor, horn grill introduced
1955 - last of semaphores
1956 - cabriolet, oval window, "W" deck lid with 2-vents, heater knob moved next to shifter
1957 - "W" deck lid, oval window (last)
1959 - sides of "W" deck lid vanish, bigger rear window
1960 - last 36 HP motor
1961 - last small glass taillights
1962 - "W" deck lid vanish, bigger taillights
1966 - 1300 CC motor, bumper change, last 6V electric system
1967 - no lines on deck lid, last year of large multi-pieced chrome bumper, last of horn grill
1968 - changed bumper, bigger taillights, padded dash, gas door on quarter panel, dash handle
1969 - IRS rear axle on standard transmission
1971 - Super beetle introduction, last year of dash handle
1973 - Super beetle with large dash and curved windshield, removed "VW" emblem from hood
1974 - big round taillights, 4 louvers on deck lid, longer front, spare tyre down, bigger front blinkers
1975 - fuel injection?

Taillight evolution:
1952-54 - tiny taillights, "W" deck lid
1955-61 - small taillights
1962-67 - medium taillights
1968-70 - large taillights
1971-72 - larger taillights
1973-79 - extra large taillights

Turn signal evolution:
1955-57 - bullet turn signal
1958-63 - fender turn signal
1964-66 - larger fender turn signal
1970-79 - largest fender turn signal

Running board evolution:
1946-64 - 36mm wide
1965-72 - 18mm wide
1973-79 - 10mm wide

Rims evolution:
1952-65 - moon rims with "VW" emblem
1950-65 - moon rims without "VW" emblem
1966-67 - hubcaps with "VW" emblem
1968-79 - hubcaps with "VW" emblem
1975-79 - sport wheels

Information Sources:
  - 'The Beetle" by Keith Seume
  - Char's complete and utter infatuation with the VW Beetle