So I picked up this dune buggy (pictures to follow) and I've found some contradicting numbers on this, just trying to figure out what I have so I can rebuild and order the correct brake/engine parts.

The old registration has a Vin of 4218200, which I believe is September of '61. Title says it's a 62. Also, looking into new brake drums for this, anything pre 65 are all 5 lug drums, although this vw has 4 lug drums and had 5 lug adapters. Any info there?

I'd also like information on the engine, the first two letters are AK, which from my research means it's a 1973 1600cc dual port, dual relief engine? Would the motor swap have any effect as to why this has 4 lug and not 5 lug? Has the entire suspension and hubs been updated?

any information is greatly appreciated!

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/IMG952014041695141408.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140411_110422.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140411_110434.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140413_150004.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140415_172203.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140415_172228.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140415_172241.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Hop3killzM3/Dune%20buggy/20140416_095457.jpg[/IMG]

Well here are my guesses.

1. Manufactured in late 1961 and sold as a 1962. VIN on pan identifies manufacture date. Most importantly what does the VIN on the pan say?

2. You have a later model rear suspension based on the IRS tranny. Those were not available in 1961 or 1962 so if it is a 1961 or 1962 pan than someone has upgraded the rear end. You do not need to upgrade it when you upgrade the engine. You can often tell by looking at the pivot points attach to the torsion housing. If they went from a swing axle to an IRS they had to add those in. Sometimes the welds look like a backyard mechanic did them. They may be real good so it would be hard to tell as well.

3. Couldn't tell what you have up front for the suspension based on the pics. For a 61/62 pan it should be a link pin. If its a ball joint (AND the pan is actually a 1961/62) then the frame head was removed and replaced with a ball joint style frame head.

I would make sure your VIN matches up to your registration.

Biggest problem is that I can't find the Vin pan on the tunnel. I was told it's behind the parking brake assembly and I can not find it anywhere around there.

Not sure where the pivot point on a torsion housing are (sorry for my ignorance with vw's) but I'll look for bad welds. I'm really just worried about what year vw I'm supposed to be ordering parts for.

As far as the front, I can't recall if they are ball joints or not, but I remember one of the upper left spindles had back and forth play as if it were a bad joint. I'll have to get pictures tonight or tomorrow of that

The VIN will be on the tunnel in the rear in front of the shift coupler access plate. Right where the tunnel spread out a little wider in the back on the passenger compartment.

Where the outer CV joint of the axle attaches to the control arm. Follow that arm under the car. Where those arms attach to the chassis is the picot point.

That Buggy is a Dunbar Mini Volks. I can't make out the headlight bases but they should be a triangular pad, What threw me off is the Dunbar Windshield is missing and a standard style has been used in it's place. - Bart