Last Call: Hella-Good History Edition

Robert Emslie

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hella
I know that many of you have been clamoring for a succinct and easy to use guide to Volkswagen tail lamp eras and it turns out that Hella has the answer. You’re welcome.
Last Call indicates the end of Hooniverse’s broadcast day.  It’s meant to be an open forum for anyone and anything. Thread jacking is not only accepted, it’s encouraged.
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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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16 responses to “Last Call: Hella-Good History Edition”

  1. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    One used to be able to get a full education of the Beetle’s evolution simply by flipping through the pages of a JCWhitney catalogue.

    Reply
    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      I got my Super in 1986 found an old JCWhitney catalog in a stack of old mags from 1970. Used it to order floor mats.
      From then on I got a JCW Catalog every week of my life.

      Reply
  2. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    All those tail lamps protrude from the fender. When did they go to Hella flush?

    Reply
    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      COTD. (or maybe even the week?)

      Reply
  3. Joe Brandt Avatar
    Joe Brandt

    Just a FYI this info is wrong, elephant foot was 73 and up.

    Reply
    1. iBran Avatar
      iBran

      Looks like it’s based on production year, not model year.

      Reply
      1. nanoop Avatar
        nanoop

        Exactly.

        Reply
      2. tonyola Avatar
        tonyola

        But if that were the case, the 1968 taillight should really be labelled as 1967.

        Reply
    2. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Would that be European spec or export?

      Reply
      1. nanoop Avatar
        nanoop

        I’d say “Model Year” is US spec, and “Production Year” is the German way of telling generations.
        Both ways have their flaws:
        “PY 1972” won’t distinguish whether it was built before (MY ’72) or after the summer break (MY’73).
        “MY 1973” won’t distinguish whether it’s actually produced in August 1972 or June 1973.

        Reply
      2. Joe Brandt Avatar
        Joe Brandt

        Year wise they were the same overall shape, US spec had 3 elements and European had two.

        Reply
        1. nanoop Avatar
          nanoop

          Cool, didn’t know that.

          Reply
    3. linkpin Avatar
      linkpin

      Lots of incorrect info, actually. The lights labelled as ’58 actually started in MY 1956 in the US, and there were a couple of variations between ’49 and ’56 (heart taillights for example). Additionally, they omit the ’71-’72 lights, which were a larger version of the ’68-’70 lights.

      Reply
      1. gerberbaby Avatar
        gerberbaby

        Also, on my ’71 the turn signal was red. No amber on mine

        Reply
        1. duurtlang Avatar
          duurtlang

          This is a German ad though, so it having amber turn signals is a given. Red turn signals haven’t been legal for a very long time as far as I know. The only exceptions I’ve seen are grey market imports from the US.

          Reply
  4. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    I got my Super in 1986 found an old JCWhitney catalog in a stack of old mags from 1970.
    Used it to order floor mats.
    Form then on I got a JCW Catalog every week of my life.

    Reply