Start Page

Page Links

  What Year
     is it.?

Need Price  & 
Availability of
  these Parts
     "Quote"

       1971

      1973

Disc Brake Calipers

   10/22/08*

1972 Chassis numbers : 8/71=112 2000 001 - 7/72=112 3200 000 and Motor Number started with "AE" & "AK" after 8th month. "AH" was used from Aug. 1971 for (California only) 
* 1600cc/actual 1584cc/96.7 c.i. * 85.5mm bore/69mm stroke * 7.5:1comp ratio for AE up to 8th month. 7.3:1 comp ratio starting 9/71 for AE, AK, & AH 
* Curb weight... Sedan = 1808 lbs. Convertible = 1918 lbs. Ghia = 1918 lbs.
HP was decreased from 60hp to 46hp/48hp due to lower compression to meet US emissions.
Stricter  emissions lowered HP & was the beginning of the end for VW air-cooled sales in the U.S.
Second year for Dual Port heads and larger 34 Pict-3 carburetor with 26mm Ventura.
Head Studs changed from 10mm to 8mm w/case savers on 8-72
First year for larger rear window & four sets of louvers on rear deck lid.
Larger outer door handles & luggage area cover plus new safety steering wheel.
Rubber body mounts to reduce noise and Wiper switch moved to steering column.
Modified muffler & preheat pipe for faster preheating 
IRS Transmission and final drive gear ratio stayed at  4.125-1 .

1972 SB Chassis numbers: 8/71=112 2000 001 - 7/72=112 3200 000
Bentley list 72 SB 132 2000 001 - 132 3200 000
SB had the McPherson front suspension (long shock w/coil spring) 
Wider front track (from 51.6" to 54.1") and tighter turning circle.(34.6" to 31.5" turning circler)
SB trunk space is nearly doubled of Beetle & the SB spare tire positioned horizontally under trunk floor.
Second year for SB carpeted floor and rubber bumper inserts 
Note: 1971 & 1972 Super Beetle still had Flat windshield (same as Beetle)
Curved SB windshield started in 8/72-79 
 
Chassis Number stamped on frame tunnel under rear seat.
Motor Number stamped under generator support, 66-on used code letter preceding number.

Parts are very easily changed so we recommend you keep track of the part numbers from the Carburetor (normally on the side of the carb) Distributor (9-diget number on the distributor body), Engine Number (just below the firing order under the Gen/Alt Stand) and know if it's 6 or 12 volt and if you 12v system is Gen or Alt.         Note: Alternator replaces Gen. in 8/73   Timing the Beetle Manual Trans 72-73 and   72-Wiring Information see Bug act.

Dished Cam 1st started in 8/71 along with matching Oil Pump. (Most aftermarket cams are 3-bolt so check before replacing oil pump.)

The Above information holds true mainly for the US export models that were shipped to the United States, since the VW was produced and sold all over the world please use with caution. VW often made changes in the 8th month so it is best to determine the year from the chassis number.