King Heavy-Duty Stainless Clutch Cable | VW Beetle & Ghia 1954–71, 1974–79 | 2270mm 1/8" 1x19 (C02)

King Performance Heavy-Duty Stainless Clutch Cable — VW Beetle & Ghia 1954–1971 & 1974–1979 (2270mm)

A snapped clutch cable is the classic air-cooled VW roadside failure, and a tired, stretched one is the reason the pedal keeps creeping and second gear starts to grind. This heavy-duty stainless steel clutch cable from King Performance is built to end that cycle: 1/8" (3.2mm) 1x19 stainless wire instead of the thinner 2.7mm galvanized wire used on stock and budget cables, a 7mm Ledloy rod at the transaxle end and a billet 1018 hook end at the pedal. Made in the USA.

It is a direct 2270mm replacement for the factory cable — no cutting, no adapters — and it is the same cable we put in our Beetle Cable Refresh Bundle.

Vehicle Fitment

• VW Beetle & Super Beetle: 1954–1971 and 1974–1979
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956–1971 and 1974
• Manx / buggy on a full-length pan: uses this cable; shortened pans need C04
• Not for: 1972–1973 Beetle/Ghia (different length) — ask us

Pick the Right Clutch Cable

• Beetle, Super Beetle & Ghia 1954–1971, 1974–1979 — 2270mm (C02)
• Meyers Manx / shortened buggy chassis — ~74" (C04)
• Split Window Bus 1950–1959 & 1962–1967 — 3116mm (C06)
• Bay Window Bus 1968–1971 — 3185mm (C07)
• Bay Window Bus 1972–1979 — 3215mm (C08)

Key Features & Benefits

• Thicker than stock: 3.2mm stainless vs. 2.7mm stock — more tensile strength, less stretch.
• Stainless, not galvanized: will not rust inside the tunnel tube.
• Billet 1018 hook end, black zinc plated, works with stock hooks and Big Boy pedal bushings.
• 7mm Ledloy rod with clear zinc plating at the transaxle end, factory thread for your wing nut.
• Made in USA by King Performance.

Technical Specifications

• Overall length: 2270mm
• Wire: 1/8" (3.2mm) 1x19 stainless steel
• Transaxle-end rod: 7mm Ledloy, clear zinc plated
• Pedal end: billet 1018 hook, black zinc plated
• Replaces: 113 721 335 / 111 721 335 series 2270mm cables
• Manufacturer: King Performance (USA)
• Country of origin: Made in USA from US materials
• Part number: C02
• Manufacturer note: off-highway use

Installation Tips

• Lightly grease the new cable before feeding it through the tunnel tube from the pedal end.
• Replace the Bowden tube while you are in there? The Bowden tube is the curved steel sleeve at the rear frame horn that the clutch cable passes through on its way to the transaxle lever. A cracked or collapsed tube, or the wrong amount of sag, causes clutch chatter and premature cable wear. Match it by year: 1954–1971 Beetle/Ghia and 1955–1967 Bus — CH75 or EMPI 98-7208-B; 1972–early 1974 Beetle/Ghia and 1968–1979 Bus — CH76; late 1974–1979 Beetle/Super Beetle — CH77. Verify by VIN on the 1974 changeover.
• Thread on the wing nut, set 10–20mm of pedal free play, and re-check after the cable seats in.
• Tunnel tube blocked or the old cable broke off inside? Our Clutch Cable Job Kit adds weld-in tunnel access so you never fish blind again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What years does C02 fit? 1954–1971 and 1974–1979 VW Beetle and Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia, and Type 1-based Manx-length builds using the standard 2270mm cable. 1972–1973 cars use a different length — contact us with your VIN before ordering for those years.
• How long is the cable? 2270mm overall, the same length as the factory 113 721 335 / 111 721 335 cable it replaces.
• How is it different from a stock cable? Stock cables use roughly 2.7mm galvanized wire. C02 uses 3.2mm (1/8") 1x19 stainless wire, a 7mm Ledloy rod with clear zinc plating at the transaxle end and a billet 1018 hook end at the pedal, so it resists stretch, fraying and rust.
• Does it work with a Big Boy clutch pedal bushing? Yes. The hook end works with the stock pedal hook and with Big Boy style clutch pedal bushings.
• Do I need a new wing nut? Your stock wing nut threads on, but most customers add the billet 3-prong adjusting knob (T10-3) for tool-free adjustment, or buy the Beetle Cable Refresh Bundle.
• How much free play should I set? Set clutch pedal free play to the factory spec of about 10–20mm (3/8"–3/4") at the pedal, then re-check after the first 100 miles.

Explore Related Categories

Drivetrain & Transmission · VW Beetle · All VW Air-Cooled

⚠ WARNING (California Proposition 65): This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.