Is it a 59 or a 60 beetle

[Terry Phillips]

How to tell if it is a 59 or a 60 beetle, previous owner said it is a 59 but papers say Jan 1960,anyone.

[Tony Z]

I think anything registered after August (or is it Oct?) is considered to be the next year.
That said, it could have been a 59 model sold in 60 (not sure if there is/was a difference)

[hitlers revenge]

I think they only started registering in '60 anyway.

[vw59beetle]

There are a few differences. The easiest one to spot is the steering wheel. You can google it and see the difference.
Hope this helped.
Wernher

[Terry Phillips]

Thanks guys,it has the indecators in the pillar post,cant remember the proper name for them if that is any thing to go on.

[jolas]

then it might also be a '58 The mechanisms in the pillar posts are called "semaphores" - cheers

[retrovan]

If the chassis number is between 2060 332 and 2574 496 then its a 1958

If its between 2574 497 and 3192 506 then its a 1959

If its between 3192 507 and 4010 995 then its a 1960

Please remember the 1st number (1) is not part of your Vin # that was only used to show it was a beetle.

Think the only thing that changed that year was the door handles, to push button.

Herman

[Terry Phillips]

Herman I seem to have a number missing, my number is 2998055 engine 2585521 can you tell me what year from the numbers I got.
Thanks

[retrovan]

....2998 055...... then its a December 1959

Being a 1960 model, and registered probably Jan -Mar 1960

If your registration papers state, 1st registration...01/01/1960 then it means that the guy that put it on the system had proof that it was a 1960 model, but no proof which day it was built or registered for the 1st time. (we all know that the license office is not open on the 1st of Jan)

Herman

[Terry Phillips]

Thanks Herman , is it worth doing a full restoration and keeping it 1200 and 6 volt or fit a 1600 and change to 12 volt,the veh is 90% complete.
What do you advise.

[vw59beetle]

Terry
If you plan on selling it one day and want to use it as a show car, then original is the way to go(that's what I would do). But if you plan on using it as a daily driver, then 1600 12V might be the answer(my daily driver is still 6 V).It is your car and in the end you have to do what makes you happy. You can always change it back to original, if it's only the engine you swapping. Just make sure to keep the original engine. These cars are meant to be enjoyed, so either way you can't go wrong.
Wernher

[retrovan]

Terry
If you plan on selling it one day and want to use it as a show car, then original is the way to go(that's what I would do). But if you plan on using it as a daily driver, then 1600 12V might be the answer(my daily driver is still 6 V).It is your car and in the end you have to do what makes you happy. You can always change it back to original, if it's only the engine you swapping. Just make sure to keep the original engine. These cars are meant to be enjoyed, so either way you can't go wrong.
Wernher

What Wernher said, would be my exact advice, make it your own, store original parts, and sell it in the future as an "original package deal", total win win situation.....

Good Luck and enjoy the project.

Herman

[Terry Phillips]

Is it worth restoring by not over capitalising on restoring it,I know it depends on what needs to be done but I worked it out to be around R40k or am I out with the cost,never done one before so I could be out on the cost ,it could cost more ?

[vw59beetle]

Is it worth restoring? Hell YES. If you do it for yourself. A full restoration will cost more than what the car is worth. Ovals are almost not even worth restoring for resell. But most guys here would agree that we restore it to enjoy the car afterwards. So if you want to make money, don't invest a cent and sell it now. If you want a enjoyable car that is special to you, then go all the way. Maybe in years to come you will brake even.

Wernher

[retrovan]

Is it worth restoring by not over capitalising on restoring it,I know it depends on what needs to be done but I worked it out to be around R40k or am I out with the cost,never done one before so I could be out on the cost ,it could cost more ?

The beauty of an Aircooled VW is that you can just get it running, even if it looks like , Fellow addicts will admire it, guys will photo it, you will have fun in it, and it will cost you cents.

Or you can do a full nut and bolt, strip and rebuild, to new restoration, and run the cost up to 100 K

Or something in between.

But you will have fun doing it, which ever way you go.

Have known guys to start with the 1st option, and over the years, slowly land up with a full restoration that they are proud of, and have given them years of enjoyment, and built up a relation ship with the car, that it makes the wife file for divorce.

If you think, to get a good 2nd hand car today, you have to spend, 100K, if you rebuild a VW aircooled for a 100K, you have a NEW car, and the envy of the suburb.

No brain er, me thinks.

Herman