I bought my 66 Beetle in 1974. It had round hubcaps, solid wheels, like a 65 and earlier. We all know that 66 was the year VW went to flat hubcaps and slotted wheels on the Beetle, and for years I've wondered why my Beetle had those wheels/caps. (I didn't know enough to ask at the time). I've learned that my car was imported from Wolfsburg to Canada in October 65, and this might be a Canadian variation. The car is in all other ways (1300 badge, etc...) a 66 Beetle. I've posted this question on some other sites and gotten some interesting theories. Anyone out there got any insight on why a 66 Beetle might have come with rounded hubcaps? (other than that in the 8 years before I bought him, the previous owner switched out the original wheels, I suppose). Thanks.

Was your car originally a 1300 ?
Does your car have a ball joint or link pin front beam ?
1200 models had link pin front beam with solid wheels and domed hubcaps.
1300 models had ball joint beam with slotted wheels and flat hubcaps.
Easy to change engine / badge but front beam change would involve a frame head change as well so less likely.