Hi everyone. I have just got hold of a 1961 Beetle in the UK and am concerned about a few of the original features.

- Can someone show me a photo of the correct rear lights for a '61?

- Does the bonnet have a raised area where the badge goes?

- The speedo is DEFINATELY not correct (from a 1970's car I believe), but can someone show me a photo of the correct '61 speedo? To replace one are there other years that are the same?

- The front wings do not have any indicators on the top, but built into the lights instead. Is this correct?

- In terms of wing mirror, what is correct for this year?

This is just a taster... I am sure there will be many more to come!

Thanks in advance

If your car is an early 61 (ie before May, I think), it will have peanut indicators on the front wings and flashing all-red 55-61 oval taillights at the back. If your car is a late 61, it will already have the slightly larger red and orange flashing rear indicators, which throughout the sixties.
Let us know your car's date... 😃

Thanks for this. The car was manufactured in Dec 1960 and registered in Feb 61. Looks as though I have:

- Wrong rear lights (I have the larger ones with the indicator at the top)
- Wrong decklid (I have the semi W but the one from 63-64 onwards designed for the larger light)
- Wrong speedo (I have one from a '68ish or above I think)!
- Wrong bonnet (still TBD as it has the raised area for the badge which I think may be incorrect).

Thanks

You seem to know what you need. Basically, your car should look like this one does from the back (even though this is a 59-60 model with semaphores). Having put front indicators on like many did over the years, actually makes it virtually identical to a 60-61 model like yours. 😃  15864.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.

From memory, I'm pretty sure the '60 model was the last without the raised bit for the badge.

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The correct bonnet you need is 61-62 only (used between Aug 60 and Jul 62). It does not have the raised area, but does not use the 4-tab VW badge like earlier Beetles. The badge is unique as well as it looks like the thin 4-tab early badge, but has three prongs on the rear like the later badges. Hope this helps.

If you fit the correct 56-61 rear lights, you will also need a 61-only '6-wire' indicator stalk. This enables the brake light element to flash when signalling.

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