Late-Model Beetle Parts
Impact-bumper era Beetles. From sheet metal to suspension, we carry the parts that make these cars run right.
Parts and fitment questions: (657) 438-7002 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Pacific
What changed on a 1968–1979 Beetle
The running changes that matter
Our chassis decoder records head restraints, the automatic stick shift option and a US exhaust emission control system arriving in 1968; independent rear suspension replacing the swing axle in 1969; 1500cc growing to 1600cc in 1970; the 1600 dual-port engine and the arrival of the Super Beetle in 1971; a larger rear window and socket tail lights in 1972; elephant-foot taillights, stronger bumpers and inertia seatbelts in 1973; and self-restoring energy-absorbing bumpers in 1974.
Swing axle or IRS is the first question
Rear suspension is where this range splits. Our IRS trailing arm bracket bolt kit and IRS torsion bar spring plate caps are cataloged for 1969 and later, and rear IRS shocks are listed from 1968 on, while swing-axle parts run the other way. Look under the car before you order rear suspension, because a build date on its own does not settle it.
Before you order
- Identify swing axle or IRS by looking at the rear end, not by the model year.
- Everything in this range is 12 volt. Our 12V coil listing starts at 1967 and runs to 1979.
- Bumpers changed twice here, in 1973 and again in 1974. Order body hardware to the year.
- Our parking brake ratchet gear splits at 1973, but that break comes from our own catalog rather than an outside source. On a 1972 or 1973 car, confirm before ordering.
Shop your exact year
Earlier cars: 1958–1967 Beetle parts and 1946–1957 Beetle parts. If yours is a strut-front car you want 1971–1979 Super Beetle parts instead — the front ends do not interchange.
Common questions
Do 1968 Beetle floor pans fit a 1966?
Read the fitment list rather than assuming. Our pan-half hardware kits are cataloged for all Beetle years, but the chassis around them changed: our late-style frame horn end bungs are listed for 1968 and later while the early bungs stop at 1960.
What year did the Beetle get independent rear suspension?
1969, according to our chassis decoder. Our IRS trailing arm bracket bolt kit and IRS torsion bar spring plate caps are both cataloged for 1969 and later, and rear IRS shocks are listed from 1968 on, so confirm what is actually under the car.
Is a Super Beetle the same as a standard Beetle from 1971 on?
No. From 1971 the Super Beetle used a MacPherson strut front end, and our front strut inserts, tie rods and ball joints for it are cataloged as Super Beetle only. Rear suspension and engine parts are largely shared.
Which parking brake ratchet gear fits a 1975 Beetle?
The 1973 to 1979 band. That break reflects our own parts catalog rather than an outside source, so if your car sits right at the 1972 to 1973 line it is worth confirming before you order.
Still not sure? Call the parts line at (657) 438-7002, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Pacific. We'd rather talk you out of the wrong part than process the return.