AC = Air-Cooled
| Model | Year | Identification |
| 1200 | 1951 | First beetle rolled off the line on the 31st of August 1951 |
| 1956 | Twin exhaust pipes | |
| 1957 | New instrument panel | |
| 1958 | Larger windscreen and rear window | |
| 1959 | Push button door locks, self canceling indicator switch | |
| 1960 | Flashing indicators, passenger grab handle, windscreen washers | |
| 1961 | Mechanical fuel gauge, spring loaded front bonnet | |
| 1964 | Front indicator lights bigger | |
| 1965 | Discontinued - replaced by 1300 | |
| 1300 | 1966 | VIN No 3rd digit = year |
| 1967 | Engine compartment lid humped, vertical flat rear license plate area and license place light cover bigger, press knob door locks, monotone seats. | |
| 1967 | Discontinued - replaced by 1500 | |
| 1970 | Re-introduced, similar to 1500, 1300 badge on engine cover | |
| 1970 | October - wider rear window | |
| 1971 | Speedometer in kilometres, engine cover vented, twin port cylinder heads, through flow ventilation | |
| 1971 | October - 4 spoke steering wheel, indicator lights bigger, 4 sets of vents on engine cover, serial number on spare wheel well | |
| 1972 | Discontinued | |
| 1974 | Re-introduced, rear lights bigger | |
| 1974 | November - front indicators in bumper | |
| 1975 | October - exterior trim matt black | |
| 1976 | October - bigger rear lights with reverse lights, padded steering wheel centre | |
| 1978 | New improved instrument panel layout | |
| 1979 | Discontinued | |
| 1500 | 1967 | Introduced, front disc brakes, 1500 badge on rear, slotted 4 stud wheels, safety steering column, break-away rear view mirror, heater with back and front control, fresh air ventilation |
| 1968 | Drum brakes, wider track, wrap around bumpers, perforated seat trim | |
| 1969 | Bonnet release in glove compartment, petrol cap door release inside car, lever next to door handle replaces door lock buttons. | |
| 1970 | Push-pull door lock knobs, twin vents on rear boot lid, no chrome strip on dash, smooth seat trim. Discontinued last part of year. | |
| 1600 | 1969 | Introduced, opening rear windows, carpets fitted, twin air vents on engine cover, serial number under rear seat. |
| 1971 | Speedometer in kilometres, through flow vents behind rear side windows, twin port cylinder heads | |
| 1972 | Double vents on engine cover, 4 spoke steering wheel. | |
| 1973 | Standard, L and DL models, passenger grab handle mounted above door. | |
| 1974 | Bigger, circular rear lights, reverse lights incorporated in L and De Luxe models, wrap around front indicators on front wings, re-designed bucket seats, bigger brakes, smoother clutch. | |
| 1974 | Fun Bug introduced to celebrate 25 years in South Africa, only 1600 built, based on 1600L, bucket seats, safety head rests, cockpit type centre console, full instruments, hazard warning switch, black sports steering wheel with cushioned rim, matt black finish on bumpers, wipers and handles, sports lever with leather covered gear knob, rostyle wheels with 165 x 15 radial tyres, torsion spring clutch. Available in Hibiscus (red), Sunset Yellow and Nugget Gold, with a black custom stripe and 'Fun Bug' black decal. (Only 1600 made) | |
| 1975 | Front indicators mounted in bumper, L model discontinued. | |
| 1975 | Fun Bug replaced by Lux Bug, wood-grained dashboard, full instruments, tinted windows, rostyle wheels, head rests, over-riders, full carpeting. Only available in metallic bronze. | |
| 1976 | April - Silver Anniversary beetle introduced, based on 1600 DL, matt black extension trim, cloth seats, full instruments, opening rear windows, centre tunnel tray, silver id badge on dashboard. (Only 216 made) | |
| 1976 | September - Jeans Bug introduced, denim seats, matt black extension trim and bumpers. (Only 1400 made) | |
| 1976 | October - Bigger rear light assemblies with reverse lights, radial tyres, centre tunnel tray, rubber facing on bumpers, padded steering wheel spokes. | |
| 1976 | October - SP 1600 introduced, twin carbs, low profile tyres, front end spoiler, tinted windows, cloth seat inserts, sports steering wheel. Spare wheel installed, deflated and compressed air canister supplied. | |
| 1978 | Padded steering wheel, lockable engine lid. | |
| 1978 | Snug Bug introduced, tartan upholstery colour coded to exterior colour. Snug Bug emblem on dash. | |
| 1979 | All discontinued | |
| 1600 S Super Bug | 1975 | Introduced. Different from other beetles due to larger and curved windscreen, larger rear window, re-designed padded dashboard, adjustable front seat head rests, opening rear side windows |
| 1976 | Padded steering wheel spokes | |
| 1978 | Discontinued |
E & OE : If you spot any errors, or if you can help with more into, please e-mail me.
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