Chassis Vin number clarification, pls.

David,

I believe that the chassis number by year list on the Samba is accurate.  According to that, you have a 66 chassis.   1966 and 67's were different, with 67 having some very unique attributes.  If you have some pics of the suspension, particularly the rear, it can help with identification. 

James

Thanks, James. The reason for my query is that some parts suppliers have asked if I have an early or late '66 and the Samba list indicates that mine is sort of in the middle, like August 1 - 15, 1966.

Well, ya know that in Car Years, Aug of the present year might mean a year+1 model year to the mfr.  I am seeing ads for cars now billed as 2016 models.  Wassup w/ that??

David,

I think late 66 is when some of the "new" changes began.  1967's were sort of a combination of new and old design.  For instance, swing axle rear with ball joint front.  Also, wide 5 lugs continued thru 67, even with the new ball joint front.  It will depend on the parts that you are ordering.  Many of the reputable VW parts suppliers can help with selecting the correct part based on a description of your current part.

James

Here's another source of model year changes:

http://www.vw-resource.com/years.html#1971-1980.  It lists yours as:

1967 (1 Aug 66 to 31 Jul 67)
Chassis 117,000,001 - 117,999,000

(Note: the  URL above is misleading, this site shows all years of bugs.)

The Samba list http://www.thesamba.com/vw/arc...bugchassisdating.php shows your vin as a '67, built in August '66. In August '64 they started with the year of the car as part of the vin for the start of the '65 models. Your chassis # (the 7 in the first 3 digits- 117 designates it as a '67) is an early '67. 

Thanks, Lads. Confusion now over. Stupid me was thinking I had a '66 but of course it is a '67 built in early August of '66.