1986 Jubilee

Country and/or Category: [ Landmark Edition ], Germany (Inland), Mexico | VIN range: 000001 - 003150 | S-code(s): S712, S716 (Austria, Italy, minor equipment) |
Extras/Options M-code(s): R39, M183, M184, M218, M712, (M210, M716, M912)

 Paint and Upholstery:

LA7Y Zinngrau-metallic* / RN4 (20) Schwarz/rot striped upholstery facings /  6DF Schiefer (Grau) upholstery leatherette, door cards etc., 2DU Grau headlining, 1DT Schiefergrau carpet on sills and rear luggage compartment,

Accent to the paintwork was provided by:
5ZM Silber decor stripes to the lower body side 111 853 415A
“50 JAHRE” plaque on the engine lid and left front quarter panel 111 853 687J
Wheels were finished in standard L 91 Silber-metalic (Chromfarben) paintwork fitted with black plastic centre and wheel nut caps.

Technical Data:

1200cc typ. 111** badged “50 JAHRE”

Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:

Green tinted window glass
Golf GTi style four button steering wheel
MW/VHF ‘‘Braunschweig’’ radio
M 976 4½J x15 (ET34) (Lemmerz/Kronprinz “GT”) sports with 165 SR 15 radial ply tyres.

Context:

The S712/S716  Sonderaktion *’Jubiläumskäfer” was only officially marketed in Germany, Austria and Italy

A total of 3,150 Jubiläumskäfer  were produced by Volkswagen de México, S.A. de C.V., Puebla, Mexico, for export to Europe.  A similar model was sold in the Mexican home market with a 1.6 engine and no heated rear window.

First shown at the IAA-Frankfurt show in September 1985 the Jubiläumskäfer was intended to be the centre of attention at the “50 Jahre VW Käfer” celebrations in Wolfsburg in October 1985. Rumours at the time however had it that the shipment had a rough sea crossing from Mexico and a lot of “touching up” repairs were needed before they were released.

The “50 Jahre VW Käfer” celebrations extended over two weekends in Wolfsburg during October 1985. The first an Internationals Volkswagen-Veteranentreffen over the weekend of 5 and 6th October with the official Press event the following weekend. In the UK both events were fully covered in the December 1985 issue of VW Motoring magazine as well as in Volkswagen Audi CAR magazine.

The celebrations were themed with distinctive silver and blue graphics used on all the event documentation including the press packand other sundry press material, the VW calendar, invitations and memorabilia material. A large scale white porcelain Beetle model was given to journalists attending the Press event.

Motoring journalist Peter Frost who attended the Volkswagen-Veteranentreffen recalls:-

“I won a trophy in a quiz at the ‘Big Beetle Evening’ official reception on Saturday night in the Festzelt (party tent). If I remember correctly, there were three trophies up for grabs and were in bronze, silver, and gold. I was happy to snag third place by answering correctly the exact date of when the first VW bus rolled off the production line and I went up on stage to receive my prize.

I’m not sure what it’s made of, but it’s either brass or bronze and is quite heavy, weighing in at 605g  with its base lined with green baize. On the two longer sides it has the inscription “50 Jahre VW Kӓfer”, while at both ends is “1935 – 1985”.

* (we understand that one batch of Jubiläumskäfer damaged during production and/or shipment were erroneously repainted Zinkgrau-metallic LG7Z )

** (The standard factory specification of the Jubiläumskäfer 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). The changes included the addition of an electric screen wash system, heated rear window and head restraints as standard equipment.)

Sales Literature:

An A3 sheet folded to make a four page A4 sized full colour brochure was printed for the Jubiläumskäfer in slightly different versions for each of the three recipient markets.

Further reading on this website:

50 Jahre Kafer Facebook Group.

Beetle brochure courtesy KdF-WAGEN.de. Press Information folder courtesy beetlebooks.de. Some information provided by Gebrueder Behling, Elka Neikova and Tim Sewe. 50 Years Kafer badge picture courtesy Jan-Anders Lindqvist. Stanford Hall display photographs courtesy Jessamy Dela Torre.


This page last modified: 2022-03-29