Rounded hubcap variation

pskierst · Post by **pskierst** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 5:53 pm

Anyone ever hear of a 66 Beetle with rounded hubcaps and solid (not slotted) wheels? We all know that one of the ways you instantly tell a 66 from earlier Beetles is the flat hubcaps/slotted wheels. When I bought my 66, 40 years ago, it had rounded hubcaps and solid wheels and still has them. I didn't know enough then to ask why. Although I've restored the car, I've never changed them. I've often wondered if this was something the original owner did, or what happened. I've learned the car was imported from Wolfsburg to Canada in October 65. Could this be a Canadian variation? Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.

Digger89L · Post by **Digger89L** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:21 am

I owned a 66 in 1969 ...and it had the flat/slotted combination as usual for a 66. (and it was an early build as well ..exported into Canada from Germany). Couple of things: perhaps the original buyer had the dealer switch them out ...could be something as simple as the buyer wanting whitewall tires, so the dealer simply switched a set of wheels between a 65 and a 66 ...from a new 65 model sitting on his lot. (perhaps there's a 65 out here somewhere in Canada that was sold with 66 wheels!!); the other thing to check is the date stamp on the wheels. They most likely don't have a 66 stamp on them; also, perhaps it was a tourist import ....if you check on www.thesamba.com you can see a Spanish 1966 brochure that shows cars still with the dog-dish hubcaps.
Just some thoughts.

Digger89L · Post by **Digger89L** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:02 am

The other possibility is that it was a car imported by a member of the military, after owning it in Germany for a number of years. Then, you run into all sorts of European spec vs Canadian spec issues. There's a pretty comprehensive thread on The Samba about all the differences.

pskierst · Post by **pskierst** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:19 am

Hi, and thanks for the response. Those seem like very likely explanations. I will look at the wheeels---didn't know they had date stamps. Glad to hear from someone else who had an imported-to-Canada 66 Beetle. And thanks for the link to the Samba page, I will check it out.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:45 am

If the car has a partial headliner (doesn't come around the windows or door posts), it's a Canadian Custom (Standard model). That would explain the solid rims and dome hubcaps. The car should have the 1200 40hp engine instead of the 1300, and no chrome trim on the window rubber.

pskierst · Post by **pskierst** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:44 am

Hi, and thank you for the response. As it happens, my car has the full headliner, and full chrome trim, 1300 badge and all... The mystery continues.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Thu Jun 12, 2014 10:12 am

There's really no mystery. Your car came with the 10-slotted rims and flat hubcaps. Somewhere along the way they got switched, either because someone preferred the look, or more likely, found wheels with good rubber on them and switched them from another car. If you can find the date codes, you'll have your answer. The month and year should be stamped in a little circle on the rim near one of the lug nut holes.

Rubin66 · Post by **Rubin66** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:00 am

You describe what sounds like early Type III wheels, which are solid with nubs to engage the flat hubcaps.

Big question is, how do your hubcaps clip to the wheels?

With five separate riveted on clips like a ~'38-'65 Beetle,
or are there three raised nubs stamped into the wheels to engage the hubcap lip?

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:26 am

He said the car had the rounded or domed hubcaps.

Either way the rims should have the 10 slots and pancake caps.