I have decided to make this page due to the large amount of people asking about the accessories fitted to my car.
As far as I can tell, these accessories were all fitted by 'Modern Light Cars Ltd.' - the supplying VW dealer when the car was new. Unfortunately, the Beetle did not come with its original purchase invoice (although I am certain the previous owner still had it, it just wasn't found when the car was sold) so I cannot be absolutely certain about this. However, the accessories have been on the car for a very long time and are all very nice! My favourites have to be the Badge bar with it's Spotlights and (of course!) those chequered covers!
Also, according to the Birth Certificate I got from Wolfsburg, my car was fitted at the factory with options M-348 and M-042. Does anyone know what these are??? I haven't a clue, as all the M-Code listings I have seen don't have these ones listed.
I am sure I have listed everything, but if I have left anything out (or there is something you want me to add) just let me know!
Wipac Spot and Fog Lights
These are one of my favourites! They are marked 'Made in England', were made by Wipac and are the 'Stainless 470' versions - I have never seen another pair of these. I like them, as they are sized just right for a Beetle - not too large, yet not too small. Does anyone know any more information? They have a shield-type outline in the glass (the Wipac company logo) and have chequered covers to fit over them when not in use.
Badge Bar
Another nice piece! It's chromed, but unfortunately does not have any makers logo or markings on it. It has two built-in brackets either side to bolt the spotlights to and you can attach badges to it using special clips. It bolts to the bumper brackets using the inner bumper-to-bracket bolts.
Badge Bar Badges (St Christopher and Automobile Association)
A bakelite badge stuck to a chromed backing plate marked 'Behold St. Christopher - and go your way in safety'. It is attached to the badge bar by being bolted onto one of the clips.
The AA or Automobile Association badge is made from a chromed outer with a yellow painter inner. A nice badge and quite a desirable one to have! I still have the original owner's membership card matching the number on the badge.
Reversing Light
Marked 'RAYDOYT' on the lens. It is meant to be fitted the other way up, but on a Beetle would be too near the exhaust and close to the ground. The flange at the top of the lens is cracked, so I am after a replacement. It will probably be a '67-style one as they have a bracket that bolts to the bumper iron, NOT to the bumper (scratching the chrome). Interestingly, it is activated by manually flicking a switch on the dash (see below) - it is not automatic!
Under-Dash Panel for Extra Switches
This nice chrome panel is screwed into the dashboard but there are no makers names on it anywhere. It has four holes for switches - The first hole (on the left) has an orange warning lamp for the reversing light, the second is the reversing light switch and the last two are for the spot and fog lights. The black switches are not original - it came fitted with white switches originally but they became brittle with age and snapped off! I couldn't find white replacement switches anywhere, but black looks fine as it matches the colour of the steering wheel, handbrake and gear stick.
Parking 'Beacons'
When I got the car is was fitted with these parking beacons. I think these were fitted after the previous owner scraped the near-side wing after misjudging a wall when parking! For those of you that have never driven a Beetle, you can't see the wings very clearly from the driver's seat... They are chrome with a red bakelite ball on the end and clip on the lip under the wings with a bolt-tight clamp. Unfortunately, when I removed them, they had ruined the original paint on the wings - this is the reason why I have not refitted them. They need rechroming too. Do you think I should refit them? Email me with your comments.
Steering Wheel Cover
This was a smooth burgundy leather cover that was stitched around the steering wheel. It matched the colour of the interior perfectly! Unfortunately, it was cracked and crumbling when I got the car so I removed it revealing an immaculate steering wheel underneath! Tragically, this is the only photo of it I have! I am also on the lookout for a replacement one in burgundy leather or leatherette - I have had no luck finding one so far (I've been looking for 3 years), so if you know anyone who sells them, please let me know!
Aerial
Made by 'Poddig' and is mounted on the scuttle on the passengers side of the car. I don't know why there is an aerial fitted as the car has never had a radio! It's not a great photo, but the best I could get.
Mudflaps - White with Black VW Logo
These are the original VW mudflaps that has the black plastic logo riveted on. I had to have one of the brackets welded as it has snapped, but all they really needed was a good clean! They seem much more substantial compared with the ones you can buy today - the brackets are also stronger and have an extra diagonal support bar.
St Christopher Tax-Disc Holder
It's black, has a gold stick-on St. Christopher's badge in the middle and was going mouldy inside... I'm sure it's an original 60's one! I've actually replaced it now, but luckily I managed to find an identical holder so I just carefully peeled the sticker off and glued it on the new one.
1967 Tax Disc
OK, so it's not really an accessory, but it looks cool all the same! I made this in Adobe Photoshop to be identical to the first tax disc my car would have been issued with. I bought another holder so I can display it on the windscreen. I just hope any traffic wardens notice the current disc - I don't want be be fined for 35 years of tax fraud!! Luckily, the UK government allow cars made before 1st Jan 1972 to be classed as an 'Historic Vehicle' and have free road tax! That saves me £155 a year.
Burgundy Leatherette Seats
Specified when new instead of the normal black ones - quite a rare option I'm told and only available with Pearl-White and Black cars. In my car it is perfect with no flaws whatsoever - they look brand new thanks to the extra seat covers the owner fitted!
Seat Covers
When I got the car, it was fitted with some burgundy protective seat covers over the top of the originals. They are made from some soft material and was elasticated at the base so it would stay on the seat. They were easily removed to reveal the original covers. Unfortunately, they were very tatty and worn (the tops were badly ripped), so I have bought a set of two-tone grey covers from the local motor factors to replace them. These are on the car all the time - apart from at shows when I take them off!
Anodised Wheel Trims
The anodised wheel trims that came with my car fitted behind the hubcap and covered up the wheels. Unfortunately, they caused lots of surface rust on the wheels, so they took ages to repaint! They were also damaged where screwdrivers had been used to lever off the hubcaps instead of the special wire tool, so I did not re-fit them. Also, I prefer the look of the two-tone wheels! I have kept the trims.
Chequered Spotlight and Bonnet Covers
These are defiantly one of my favourites out of all the accessories! The spotlight covers are the correct size for the Wipac spotlights and are padded to protect them from flying stones. The bonnet cover fits over the end of the bonnet (again, to protect against stone chips), and before I got it I don't think it had hardly ever been used - it was in immaculate condition and the rubber bands on the underside has perished. I don't know who made it or where it was bought from as here are no labels or markings, but if anyone knows - Email me! I know for certain they were official VW accessories in the early 1970's, so it could possible be a VW one...
Parking Light
In the the 1960's, it was illegal to park your car on a road with a speed limit over 30mph at night without displaying a parking light. My 6-volt parking light clips onto the drivers door glass and is plugged into a socket underneath the dashboard, behind the switch panel. These lights are now illegal, but mine still works - but only at shows! It was made by a company called "StarLight".
Parcel Shelf
The parcel shelf is probable THE most useful accessory of all - I don't think I could drive a Beetle without one! It is made from plywood with a white vinyl covering. If you haven't got one, get one! They are too useful!
"Secours Norma" Spare Bulb Box
This is a little plastic box that carries spare bulbs. It is specially made for a 6v Volkswagen and has one of every bulb you need. Luckily, none of the bulbs have ever been used so it is complete - even down to the yellow cloth used to wipe the bulbs clean after installation!
Underseal
Well, I suppose it isn't really an accessory, but it was applied by the supplying VW dealer... It is still there - I've just recoated it along with lots of Waxoyl. Good thing, as it stopped the rust!
(and before you say so, YES my floorpan does need a good clean!)
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