VW Beetle History in RP

[Shadetree MKNX]

Can somebody please share their knowledge about VW Beetle history in the PHilippines? I'm really interested to know more about it, especially the 1300-S.

To save me some time, I copy-and-pasted this post from another thread:

Apparently, VW Beetles have had different versions, because I saw this thread in a VW forum (can't remember the URL) about this Australian guy who was amazed that the US had a different 1967 Beetle than they had in Australia.

I've been trying to google about this particular Beetle version, that apparently was only sold in the Philippines (and perhaps a few other countries, including it's country of origin) under the DMG-Pilipinas network. I remember it was called the "1300 S" and it looked exactly like my Dad's "1968 1500 Sedan", except for a few details unnoticable to the non-enthusiast's eye. (Like you guys, I was already an enthusiast at an early age).

The 1300S no longer had the "heat exchanger" like the later model Beetles that came from Brazil.

As far as I can recollect, the different VW Beetles I've seen sold here in the Phils were:

1. (Pre-68). Same front end as the 68 non-Super Beetles, but with the smaller "round" bumpers, smaller tailights, rounded lens headlamps, with the largest engine offering of a 1300. Color Availability: Deep Red/Sky Blue.

2. (1968-72). The first appearance of the 1500 sedan, had locking front seats, squarish bumpers, rounded lens headlamps, larger tailights (all-red, no backup light), hubcaps. New Feature: External Gas-Filler Door (no need to open the hood for refueling) Color Availability: Deep Red/Sky Blue.

3. (1972-?) Brazillian(?) 1500 Sedan. Same as German 1500 sedan except for flat lens headlamps, additional louvres on the engine cover, tri-color tailamps, backup light. New Feature: Hazard Warning Flasher Circuit. Color Availability: White/Beige/Yellow.

4. (1974-?). Super Beetle. 1600cc, different front-end and rear-end, McPherson strut front suspension, large round tailights, additional cooling louvres on the engine cover. Color Availability: White/Beige/Yellow.

5. (1976-?) Updated 1300 sedan. Same front end as 68 and 72 1500, but had flat-lens headlamps, large round tailights, and extra louvres on engine cover (like 72 1500 sedan), NO external gas-filler door. New feature: Low-intensity "parking light mode" headlamps. Color Availability: White only.

6. (1978-?) 1300-S. Same mechanicals as the 76 1300 (w/c was also still in production at this time), but body was similar to '68 1500 sedan--i.e., no extra louvres on engine cover and regular-sized tailamps (tri-colored, like the '72 1500 sedan), but flat-lens headlamps. Color Availability: White only.

Somehow, the 1300-S must have been in limited production because they seem to be rare, not like the '76 1300 with the large round tailights.

Thanks.

[Shadetree MKNX]

Bump ko lang, baka may Beetle enthusiast dumaan muli...

[ehnriko]

Bump ko lang, baka may Beetle enthusiast dumaan muli...

Hi!

I would recommend you check out the site of Cavite VW Club... pero matagal na itong hindi na update. but I think they have a list of their officers... One guy who knows a lot on the history of VWs in the Philippines is Luwie Bautista...

another from QC - Marikina - Mr. willy Bayer, he is from VWCPI

http://cvwci.bravehost.com

We had a few 1300s in the club. In Imus there was one in mint condition - all original - but I think it was sold already.

Best of luck!