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Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 6:22 pm
by peterhulley
Howdy all
I am new to this site and looked in the Code section for info, but the links don't seem to work.
I bought a 1970,according to the LOG Book, Beetle. I am not happy with her steering wheel so I went back to the oke and he told me its a Lux Bug and came out with that steering, ill send a pic of the steering wheel.
Her VIN no is 1102341677 and her engine no is SFH1172161.
Can someone please help me identify this little old lady.
Thank you in advance
Peter

Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:19 pm
by Tony Z
SF usually denotes an engine that has been reconditioned by VW or one of their approved agents.
So you are looking for an engine number with code "H".
From memory, the H is a 1300 whitch doesnt have a very good reputation due to the alloy VW used. But I could be wrong...
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:27 am
by jmvv
The car in the picture is definitely not a Lux Bug.
They came out in 1975 (I was in training in Kroonstad at the time)
They came in metallic Green, Bronze and metallic maroon,
The dashboard was padded with Vinyl woodgrain trim on the glove box lid and perforated areas around the speedo.
The steering wheel was the one with the flat center section.
The Lux Bug had a VDO clock in the panel left of the speedo and had a Lux Bug plaque on the glove box lid.
The cars had rostyle wheels with trim rings and chrome sticker stripes at the bottom of the body with Lux Bug script to the rear.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 11:47 am
by fig
Not quite Tony. SF signifies an engine made in South Africa. H cases, IIRC, refer to single port 1500 and 1600 engines (although may only be 1500). The VIN quoted is correct for a 1970 Beetle.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 12:01 pm
by Jdt1976
Spot on Fig, Built in November 1969 that makes it a 1970 model.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 2:41 pm
by peterhulley
Thank you all for the info, I did learn later its NOT a Luxbug by the dashboard
Thank you again
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 2:17 pm
by roy.herselman
fig wrote:Not quite Tony. SF signifies an engine made in South Africa. H cases, IIRC, refer to single port 1500 and 1600 engines (although may only be 1500). The VIN quoted is correct for a 1970 Beetle.
Hi fig I hope you can help me identify my engine SFH1024885 Thanks
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Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 2:46 pm
by fig
South African built 1500 or 1600 single port. At least that's what it was when it was new.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:53 pm
by roy.herselman
fig wrote:South African built 1500 or 1600 single port. At least that's what it was when it was new.
Thanks, is there any way I can determine if it's a single port 1500 or 1600 from the engine number SFH1024885
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Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:00 am
by fig
roy.herselman wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:53 pm
fig wrote:South African built 1500 or 1600 single port. At least that's what it was when it was new.
Thanks, is there any way I can determine if it's a single port 1500 or 1600 from the engine number SFH1024885
Even if it started life as a 1500 it's probably a 1600 now. Check the engine number lists for H engines (SF just says it was built in SA) and that should tell you if it was 1500 or 1600 when new. I suspect it was 1500 and 1600 had a different prefix, but I haven't checked the lists.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:10 pm
by calooker
fig wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:00 am
roy.herselman wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:53 pm
fig wrote:South African built 1500 or 1600 single port. At least that's what it was when it was new.
Thanks, is there any way I can determine if it's a single port 1500 or 1600 from the engine number SFH1024885
Even if it started life as a 1500 it's probably a 1600 now. Check the engine number lists for H engines (SF just says it was built in SA) and that should tell you if it was 1500 or 1600 when new. I suspect it was 1500 and 1600 had a different prefix, but I haven't checked the lists.
1500 single port discontinued early 69, this one was a 1600 single port new, 1600 twinport was from mid 71
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:14 am
by Henris
Hi guys. I am having a serious blond moment. Trying to find a year model, etc on this beetle vin no. 118479959 Where do I start.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:48 am
by fourier
That VIN is for a 1978 model.
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:53 am
by Jdt1976
I get a Jan. 68
Re: Vehicle Identification number and Engine number
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 8:25 am
by fourier
Jdt1976 wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:53 am
I get a Jan. 68
Jaco is correct.
I made the call based on the 8 in the number, but the next digit being a 4, makes it a '68 model. If it was a 2, it would be a '78...
