This Type I Manual covers the Beetles, Super Beetles, VW Convertibles, and Karmann Ghias of Model Years 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. (Cars of each Model Year are usually introduced in August of the preceding year.) In 1970 the VW Convertible was a Beetle. From 1971, it was a Super Beetle. Though much of the contents can be applied to VW cars sold elsewhere, this Manual is specifically written to cover U.S.A. and Canadian Type I VWs only.

The chassis number of your VW is found in three places: on the frame tunnel beneath the back seat, under the hood, and on the dashboard. This Manual is organized so that changes from model year to model year are noted, and if a change within one model year is made, the chassis number of the first VW with the change is given. For the Volkswagen owner with mechanical skills and for independent garages, this Manual gives Volkswagen-approved specifications and procedures. In addition, a Volkswagen owner who has no intention of working on his car will find that reading and owning this Manual will enable him or her to discuss repairs intelligently with a professional mechanic.

The chassis numbers assigned to the Beetles, Super Beetles, VW Convertibles, and Karmann Ghias for the Model Years covered in this Manual are:

Beetle

1970: 110 2000 001 to 110 3100 000
1971: 111 2000 001 to 111 3200 000
1972: 112 2000 001 to 112 3200 000
1973: 113 2000 001 to 113 3200 000
1974: 114 2000 001 to 114 2999 000
1975: 115 2000 001 to 115 2600 000
1976: 116 2000 001 to 116 2200 000
1977: 117 2000 001 to 117 2200 000
1978: 118 2000 001 to 118 2100 000
1979: 119 2100 001 to 119 2150 000

Super Beetle/La Grande Bug (1975)

1970: None
1971: 111 2000 001 to 111 3200 000
1972: 112 2000 001 to 112 3200 000
1973: 133 2000 001 to 133 3200 000
1974: 134 2000 001 to 134 2999 000
1975: 135 2000 001 to 135 2600 000
1976: None
1977: None
1978: None
1979: None

Karmann Ghla/Karmann Ghia Convertible

1970: 140 2000 001 to 140 3100 000
1971: 141 2000 001 to 141 3200 000
1972: 142 2000 001 to 142 3200 000
1973: 143 2000 001 to 143 3200 000
1974: 144 2000 001 to 144 2999 000
1975: None
1976: None
1977: None
1978: None
1979: None

VW Convertible

1970: 150 2000 001 to 150 3100 000
1971: 151 2000 001 to 151 3200 000
1972: 152 2000 001 to 152 3200 000
1973: 153 2000 001 to 153 3200 000
1974: 154 2000 001 to 154 3200 000
1975: 155 2000 001 to 155 3200 000
1976: 156 2000 001 to 156 2200 000
1977: 157 2000 001 to 157 2200 000
1978: 158 2000 001 to 158 2100 000
1979: 159 2000 001 to 159 2036 062
1980: 159 2036 063 to 159 2043 634