| TRANSAXLE |
|
| 1960 only - |
Nose cone mount  is one piece and fastened over studs on the torsion tube. |
| 1960 only - |
Nose cone, hockey stick, and shift rods |
| 1960 only - |
Frame horns droop about 1/8 inch (two degrees) lower, tipping the engine and transaxle towards the rear. This was apparently an effort to reduce positive camber which caused oversteer.[2] |
| last year for - |
Split-case "crashbox" transaxle with 1st gear not synchronized |
| new for 1960 - |
Shift rod bushing without tension ring introduced during July 1960 at chassis #3140046. The tension ring was added August 1960 for the 1961 model year[2] |
| note - |
I upgraded to a 1963 synchro transmission. It's possible to use the one-year only trans mount already found on your 1960. Use this bus nosecone #211-301-205-H , this hockey stick #113-311-541 , and this new gasket kit .
|
| |
| SUSPENSION |
|
| new for 1960 - |
Needle-bearings instead of bushings in front torsion bars |
| new for 1960 - |
8 shims for wheel camber adjustment on each steering knuckle |
| new for 1960 - |
Steering dampner added March 1960[2] |
| new for 1960 - |
Rear torsion bars thinner and shorter |
| new for 1960 - |
Rear torsion bar covers smaller[1] |
| |
| ENGINE |
|
| 1960 only - |
Oil dipstick painted red (#1, #2 ) at chassis #2528668/engine #3072320. The full mark was set 40mm from the end, rather than the previous 44mm. The add mark was not changed. Part #111-115-611-A[2] |
| 1960 only - |
Spark plug wires fastened to the fan shroud using rubber "cookies" that held two wires[2] |
| last year for - |
36hp engine with 28 PCI carburetor and manual choke |
| new for 1960 - |
Generator output increased to 180 watts[1] |
| confirm? - |
Original factory muffler redesigned in a teardrop shape to have the tailpipes also at a two degree tilt preventing rattling against the apron. (Good luck finding one!)[2] |
| |
| EXTERIOR |
|
| 1960 only - |
Door handle key slot is vertical |
| 1960 only - |
Front apron lacks wiring clips[2] |
| 1960 only - |
Front fender walls redesigned for compatibility between the hump gas tank and the new headlight tubes[1] |
| new for 1960 - |
Rubber headlight wiring tubes |
| new for 1960 - |
Door handles with rectangular pushbutton |
| new for 1960 - |
Wolfsburg hood crest redesigned (red, blue, black) |
| |
|
| INTERIOR |
|
| 1960 only - |
Dashboard chrome trim is cast and sharp |
| last year for - |
Aluminum trim on the carpet around the heater outlets and fuel tap |
| last year for - |
Gas tank with hump from the oval-window-era. |
| new for 1960 - |
Steering wheel dished inwards for safety, with chrome half horn ring |
| new for 1960 - |
Rearview mirror redesigned[2] |
| new for 1960 - |
Sunvisors are padded textured vinyl |
| new for 1960 - |
Door panels redesigned with lack of trim[1] |
| new for 1960 - |
Door armrest redesigned[1] |
| new for 1960 - |
Front seat bottom widened and backs reshaped for improved comfort[2] |
| new for 1960 - |
Seat pleats are now heat-sealed rather than stitched together[1] |
| new for 1960 - |
Passenger footrest |
| new for 1960 - |
Rear seat kick panels without heat duct outlets and have dimples and little pull tabs for removal[2] |
| confirm? - |
Body number plate size reduced at some early point in the model year. A friend's early 60 has a big plate, yet mine has a small plate. |
| |
|
| ELECTRICAL |
|
| 1960 only - |
Six-wire (w/turn signals) or 3-wire (w/semaphores) turn signal switch that matches the contour of the new steering wheel |
| 1960 only - |
Ignition switch with three screw terminals |
| last year for - |
Screw terminals on most electrical items |
| last year for - |
80mph clear needle speedometer. July through October 1959 have two light sockets; November 1959 begins one light socket[2] |
| new for 1960 - |
Complicated horn wiring change for 1960-1961. Read about it HERE and HERE. There are three spring-loaded pins under the horn ring (#1, #2 , #3 ). They put the springiness in the horn ring/button and connect the horn circuit. Trying to get the horn to work with an aftermarket steering wheel (such as my EMPI GTV wheel) did not work for me.[2] |
| |
|
| 1960 IMPORTS |
| Changes were made to bring imported/gray-marketed Beetles up to USDOT specifications, but it's not guaranteed that the car was completely changed. You might find the following on your car: |
| note - |
A basic Canadian model, known as the Canadian Standard (aka Canadian Custom) Beetle has no chrome on the rear window, rear-side windows, vent windows, or running boards (#1,#2). Inside there was a black 3-spoke standard steering wheel and turn-signal switch, no radio, basic seat covers, no passenger foot rest, no dash chrome trim, and small headliner. Usually Canadian dealers added a gas heater, engine block heater, and a radio.
|
| note - |
May have only one sunvisor if from Europe.
|
| note - |
The car may still wear single-blade bumpers, although they could be ordered with US-style overriders for added protection.
|
| note - |
The windshield may not have USDOT-spec safety glass.
|
| note - |
Headlights' lenses may be fluted and may not use a sealed beam bucket |
| note - |
Look at the door pillars . There may be evidence of semaphore turn signals. Sometimes the semaphores remained in working order , sometimes the wires were simply cut, sometimes they were completely removed and the holes welded shut (#1 , #2 ), and possibly the weirdest move of all was sometimes the semaphores were left in, and the holes were sealed shut! Hand-drilled holes had to be made for the turn signals that were now placed on top of the fenders. Those with a sharp eye may notice inaccurate placement of the fender signals.
|
L41 Black
L225 Jupiter Grey
L346 Mango Green
L349 Jade Green
L363 Arctic
L419 Ceramic Green 
L436 Indigo Blue
L440 Flint Grey
L451 Indian Red
L264 Rock Grey
L349 Jade Green
L361 Slate Blue
L445 Sargasso Green
L452 Paprika Red
L473 Alabaster
L10009 Yukon Yellow
L10017 Alaska White
L10018 Brunswick Blue
