1982 Silver Bug

Country and/or Category: Europe, Mexico, Netherlands | VIN range: not known | S-code(s): S703, W19 |
Extras/Options M-code(s): R39, M705, M912

Paint and Upholstery:

L90G Silber-metallic / HJ9(UC)Schwarz/Weiß cloth

Accent to the paintwork was provided by:

(01C) Satinschwarz “SILVER BUG” trim stripes to the lower body sides  111 898 525D

“20 MILLIONEN” plaque to the engine lid  111 853 687C

Wheels were finished in standard L 91 Silber-metalic (Chromfarben) paintwork fitted with chrome hubcaps

Technical Data:

1200cc typ.111* badged “20 MILLIONEN”

Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:

MW/VHF radio Commemorative 

“20 MILLIONEN” gear shift knob ad key fob

Context:

S703 Sonderaktion *Silver Bug* celebrated the worldwide production of the 20 millionth Beetle on 15 May, 1981 in Puebla, Mexico and was available from all German Volkswagen dealers at the same price of DM 9,895 as the contemporary Mexican Beetles imported into Germany in standard paint and trim with the exception of cars in Mars Red which attracted a DM127 special colour on-cost.

In February 1982 a second batch of 1,700 cars with unvented engine lids produced by Volkswagen de México, S.A. de C.V., Puebla, Mexico, for export to Europe followed the initial shipment into Germany in June/July 1981 of 2,000 cars with louvered vented engine lids.

A consignment of “Silver Bugs” with were made available to the Netherlands.

* (The standard factory specification of the Silver Bug was consistent with the contemporary Mexican “1200L” export model officially manufactured for sale in Germany between 1979 and 1985. The model differed in small detail ways from the preceding German manufactured 1200L Käfer for the home (inland). market. The changes included the addition of an electric screen wash system, heated rear window and head restraints as standard equipment. Initial importations of the 1200L from Mexico retained the louver vented engine lid from the 1600cc Mexican home market model. The louvred engine cover was replaced by the more familiar plain, unvented, 1200 engine lid from 30 July 1981 onwards)

Sales Literature:

A locally produced sales brochure for the Silver Bug was printed in the Netherlands.

Further reading on this website:

The individual profiles for the: 1981 Silver Bug

Silver Bug pictures courtesy Jan Walter. Brochure courtesy Bram Collier.


This page last modified: 2021-05-10