EMPI Complete Wiring Harness | VW Beetle Sedan 1961 | German-Style Reproduction, LHD (98-9480-0)
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EMPI Complete Wiring Harness — VW Beetle Sedan 1961 (98-9480-0)
EMPI 98-9480-0 is a complete reproduction wiring harness for the 1961 VW Beetle sedan, left-hand drive. It is an all-new loom built to the German factory pattern with correct wire gauges, German color coding with tracer stripes, numbered branch wires and factory-style connectors, replacing VW 113-971-011-C. It works on the original 6-volt system or after a 12-volt conversion.
Part numbers: EMPI 98-9480-0 · 98-9480 · C13-98-9480 · VW 113 971 011 C / 113971011C / 113-971-011-C (WK-113-1961) · UPC 707924537420
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | VW Beetle sedan | Left-hand drive; steel roof or sunroof |
| Does not fit | 1960 Beetle | Needs its own year-specific loom |
| Does not fit | 1962 and later Beetle | VW revised wiring for 1962; use 98-9482-0 for 1962–1964 |
| Does not fit | 1961 Beetle convertible | EMPI lists this as a sedan part |
| Does not fit | Right-hand-drive cars | RHD cars use a different loom |
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | EMPI |
| Part number | 98-9480-0 (also listed as 98-9480, C13-98-9480) |
| UPC | 707924537420 |
| VW reference | 113-971-011-C / 113971011C (WK-113-1961) |
| Years | 1961 only |
| Body | Beetle sedan, LHD |
| System voltage | 6V or 12V |
| Sold as | Complete kit |
| Installation manual | Included, EMPI K12-1961 manual |
| Condition | New |
What's Included
- Main harness, front harness section and dash wiring
- Individually packaged, numbered branch wires
- Factory-style connectors, terminal ends and grommets
- Correct wire gauge and German-spec color coding with tracer stripes
- EMPI's printed installation manual (K12-1961 manual)
Not Included
- Fuse box
- Switches
- Bulb holders
- Battery cables
Why It Matters
1961 is a one-year harness. VW did not carry the same loom forward, which is exactly why a year-correct reproduction matters more here than on a longer-running car — a generic kit will not have the branch lengths or the routing your body was built around. Universal harnesses leave you crimping splices mid-loom, and every one of those is a future voltage drop or hot joint.
Installation Notes
Disconnect the battery ground first and leave it disconnected until the last connection is made.
Photograph the old harness in place before removing it — behind the dash, at the headlight buckets, at the tail lights and at every ground point.
Pull the old loom out as one piece and lay it next to the new one to confirm branch routing.
Clean every ground point back to bright metal — a new harness will not fix a rusty ground bracket.
Plan on replacing the fuse box and the battery-to-body ground strap while the interior is out, and budget a weekend with the seats and dash trim out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the 98-9480-0 harness fit a 1960 or a 1962 Beetle?
No. 1961 is a single-year harness. VW revised Beetle wiring for 1962 — use EMPI 98-9482-0 for 1962 through 1964. A 1960 car needs its own year-specific loom.
Is a 1961 Beetle 6-volt or 12-volt?
6-volt from the factory; US-market Beetles did not go to 12 volts until 1967. This harness serves the car either way, because voltage does not change the routing.
What VW part number does the 1961 harness replace?
113-971-011-C, also written 113971011C and catalogued as WK-113-1961.
Does it come with a fuse box?
No. The fuse box, switches, bulb holders and battery cables are sold separately.
Are the wires labeled?
Yes. Branch wires are individually packaged and numbered, and the colors and tracer stripes follow the German factory scheme.
Can I use it on a 1961 convertible or a right-hand-drive car?
No for right-hand drive. EMPI lists it as a sedan harness; a cabriolet body routes the rear section differently, so check your car before ordering.
Related Parts
- EMPI Complete Wiring Harness, Beetle Sedan 1962–1964 (98-9482-0) — the correct loom if your car is a 1962, 1963 or 1964
- EMPI Universal Wire Harness with Fuse Box (00-9466-0) — for buggies, rails and custom builds where a year-correct loom does not apply
- EMPI 14" Braided Copper Battery Ground Strap (00-9469-0) — replace the ground while the interior is out
- Electrical & Ignition — coils, switches, connectors and cables
⚠️ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
