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Year by year 1949-1979
Here are mainly only the specific Cabriochanges: a detailed description of all changes on the Beetle fills at least a whole book. You can find a nice page with many pictures (but not such good text) of the changes trough the years at LogicLee and a text only description at Jeff's Beetle Technical Page. The Bugshop is a another site with good descriptons over changes and lot of info about buying Beetles. Another interresting site with many buyers tips and modelchanges is flat4 - the air cooled beetle site in German and English, some information is in german only
June 2, 1949-September 30, 1952
The "Split-Cabrio". The model that compares to the Split rear window export sedan. In the Cabrio, however, the rear window is not split: it is just very small. These are very sought after and there are few left. I'm one of the lucky guys that owns one! Take a look at it.
October 1, 1952-March 9, 1953
The "Zwitter" or the between-model. Body and interior was altered (new bumpers, new dashboard, 15 inch wheel etc), but the split window remained on the sedan. On the Cabrio the rear window was made slightly larger with a chrome trim and fitted in line with the top. In the earlier model the window had been recessed a little. The Zwitter model is even rarer than the Split-Cabrio. All trims and the side window frames are made of aluminum, but as this only lasted for these five months, these aluminum parts are almost impossible to find.
Engine was still 25 hp, but the gearbox was now synchronized.
March 10, 1953 - July 1955
The "Oval" (The sedan now had a whole oval window). Trims and window frames are now chromed. The production increased and the Cabrio was sold in more countries. The doors were changed in ´56. The inside surface was made flat. It is much harder to find doors to cars made before '56 than for subsequent models.
Here is a picture of a Cabrio ´54 and the inside of the door.
From January 1954, the engine was changed to 30 hp, which is easier to find and restore. The two-tone colours were dropped on the cabrio (I'm not sure of the exact date, but I believe that it was sometime late ´53 to early ´54, If you know better please inform me)
From here on:
Year means the model that was made from August the year before. For example, the model ´58 was made from August ´57 to July ´58
1956-57
A few changes as different taillights, twin chromed exhaust pipes and the flat inside of the door as explained above. See this picture.
1958-64
Larger windscreen and rear window. New engine lid with horizontal louvers. New dashboard. See this picture.
In 1960 the semaphore indicators was replaced with modern flashing indicators on the front wings (white, from ´61 yellow) and red in the taillights. (the US cars had flashing indicators from -55)
In 1961 came the 34 hp engine. In May ´61 the taillights was segmented, with yellow indicators.
In 1964 came a new engine lid with a wider housing for the license plate light.
1965-67
All windows was enlarged both on the Sedan and Cabrio. The Cabrio had the new 40 hp 1300 engine. From here on the Cabrio always had the largest engine available. From ´66 the top material (outer layer) is made in vinyl (earlier: textile). In ´67 came the 1500-engine with 44 hp and once again the engine lid was changed.
The production of Cabrios was very low in the mid sixties and Volkswagen was even considering stopping the production, but luckily the interest for the VW Cabrio rose and so too the production.
1968-70
Body was changed. Most noticeable was the new stronger bumpers, the vertical headlights and larger taillights. The larger and higher positioned bumpers made it necessary to change the engine lid again.
As this model is practically the same as that made today in Mexico (not Cabrio, only Sedan!), the supply of spares is much better.
Modell 1970 had an engine lid with 28 louvers i four groups.
1971-72
The 1302 LS was introduced. The L stood for Luxury (some extras was standard on the Cabrio but extra on the Sedan). The S signified the 50hp, 1600-engine. The flat laying sparewheel and the McPherson struts made the luggage compartment much larger.
Because the 1600 engine needed more room the engine lid was bulkier meaning yet another change on the engine lid.
From 1972 the engine lid became the same as the one on the sedan: But it got only 26 louvers. see this picture. A completely new top construction is introduced in ´72. The frame is lighter, thinner and folds better and easier and the folded top is much more compact. Unfortunately the new topframe is weaker and rusts a lot more the the old one.
1973-74
1303 LS, Changed body with new windscreen, dashboard and much larger taillights.
1975-79
No "LS" on the engine lid. Indicators in the front bumper (not US). Rack and pinion steering. Slightly larger rear window. A small change was made on the engine lid in ´77: a small extra thermostat-controlled (!) opening was made under the licence plate light housing. So for the last years of production we have a special Cabrio engine lid again.
There was no model 1980. The car was built as model ´79 to the end of production 2 January 1980.
Windows to choose from
June 2 1949 - Sept 30 1952
First version. Very small. Fitted from the inside with a lot of small screws. No chrome trim.
Oct 1 1952 - 1957*
Slightly larger and now fitted from the outside, in the same fashion as the windscreen is fitted. Chrome trim (was aluminium up to March 9 ´53)
Even though the VW Cabrio looks basically the same over the +30 years of production there are almost not a single part that are identical (including nuts and bolts). This also applies to the rear window. To my knowledge the rear window has been enlarged 4 times
1958 - 1964
Larger, what else!
On this car is the window not perfectly fitted, especially the chrome trim.
1965 - 1974
Larger. From ca ´69 it was possible to order the window electrically heated.
1975 - 1979
Yet again larger. The chrome trim was made redundant.
Many bonnets to choose from
Even though the VW Cabrio looks basically the same over the +30 years of production there are almost not a single part that are identical (including nuts and bolts). To my knowledge the bonnet has been altered 9 times, excluding minor changes as a new badge etc. The changes below are those I have been able to confirm. If you know more or better please let me know.
Note that different bonnets does not always mean that you can't put it on another year-model. Look these pictures that shows the different shapes from the side. With adjustment of hinges and locking you can switch between 49-66. And it is also easy to switch between 68-79. But the bonnets from 68-69 might not a good idea for a newer cars because the smaller air intake.
1949 - Sept 30 1952
This first version had only one brake light included in the licenceplate light housing. Vertical louvres for the air. The L-shaped handle is to small and not so easy to handle. It was possible to get it lockable with key.
Oct 1 1952-1957*
New licenceplate light housing. The brake light moved to the taillights. The handle is T-shaped and easier to handle. The only that differs with this bonnet and the older one is the housing and how it is fastened. So a conversion between these two models is fairly easy.
The bumpers with overriders came on the US-model in -56. And is a popular extra elsewhere. Does not fit on model -55 or older because the overriders covers the taillights (if they are properly mounted).
1958-1963
Horizontal louvres for air. The bonnet was flattened out. Not an improvement in design! The lighthousing was also redesigned
1964 (picture of model 1965)
New licenceplate lighthousing.
1965-1966
Lock with pushbutton. The altered locking makes it impossible to use a ´65-66 lid on older car without modification
1967
Now even the little moulding in the middle disappeared! The surface for the licenseplate is more vertical and flatter. The bonnet was shortened at the lower end. Older bonnets do not fit. A different lighthousing. The´67 bonnet is unique and you cannot use any older or newer!
Photo: Chris Timms, thanks!
1968-1969
The bonnet was adapted to the new higher positioned bumpers. Lighthousing and plate higher positioned.
1970
VW found out that the 1500-engine needed more air and increased the number of louvres to 28. The water drainage tray on the inside was dismissed and that was no improvement!
Updated 2004 (again)!
1971
Probably more rounded to get more space in the engine compartment and still 28 louvres.
But, it could be the same bonnet as on the 1970-model. Could anybody help me to get this right?
Sorry for the earlier confusion about the number of louvres!
1972
The Limousine and Cabrio gets a bonnet with 26 louvres.
At last, Cabrio and Limousine has identical bonnets! This makes life much easier if you are one bonnet short.
1976
But this fortunate state only lasted for four years. Some VW engineer somehow got the idea that the Cabrio sometimes needed more cooling air. This need for extra air was not permanent. The small extra hole that was made under the licenceplate lighthousing has a thermostat controlled lid!
It seems like not all cars have this opening, why I do not know.
VW 1303 Cabriolet, US-model
US Cabrio 1979, picture from sales broschure
I believe that this applies from ca 73-74:
Indicators with side positioning lights. Stronger, higher positioned bumpers that are fastened to the body with energy absorbers. Headlamps are of Sealed Beam type so the whole thing has to be renewed when the bulb goes! OK if you live in the US where new ones can be bought everywhere, but bad in Europe. It is easy to fit the normal H4 headlamps instead. The taillights are also different because of the side position lights.
The engine has 48 hp with fuel injection and runs on unleaded but it does not always have a cat (depending of in which State it was first sold). The fuel injection (Bosch) itself is fairly uncomplicated for a fuel injection. But many parts in the very cramped engine compartment are different. Also The exhaust is completely different. All parts are available but they cost a lot as they are not in normally in stock in Europe. You will probably also have to wait a long time to get parts. The other problem is that no VW garage knows these systems. The best thing is to buy a US workshop manual and do it yourself. Or just put in a normal 1600-engine with carburetor!
The European Cabrios have disk brakes in front but the US cars have drum brakes. Why? I don`t know!
On the body behind the bumper there are louvers for the condensor if the car has AC (not unusual)
VW 1303 Cabriolet 1977, US-model, those special details
Aeroplane?
The only other car i know of that has this silly thing also has a name that starts with Vol...
Single pipe
The exhaust is special with only one tailpipe. With or without cat depends on wish state it was sold in as new.
This car was sold in Florida and has no cat.
Empty
This car has no air conditioning. But if it would, the condensers place is behind these louvres under the front bumper
Make no mistakes
In the US you can be sued for anything. So badges with warnings makes you safe (as manufacturer).
This badge is located on the rear right side panel
Full
The injection engine really fills up the engine compartment. But it works. This car has been driven since 1977 without any big problems. Maybe it helps that it has had one fairly careful owner since new.
Not only USA
From -77 the Cabrio had adjustable headrests. The only real update that happened after -75.
Absorbers
In US the bumpers had to take a crash in, i believe, 4 or 5 mph without damage to the body. VW solved this with these one way one time shock absorbers and stronger bumpers on a large distance from the body.
Square
Indicators with side positioning lights was required in US. So the indicator was never moved to the front bumper as on the European cars. Even the taillight are different, but that is not so obvious as they look the same on the outside.
The extremely ugly and vulgar Excalibur had both indicators and taillights from VW US Cabrio for many years!
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NU TOATE MASINILE VECHI SUNT RABLE! 
UN POPOR CARE ISI INGROAPA TRECUTUL, NU VA AVEA VIITOR!
SUNT MANDRU DE RABLELE MELE !!! 
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