1974 Jeans Beetle

Country and/or Category: Belgium, Denmark, Europe, Export, France, Germany (Inland), Käfer der Kaufer Edition, UK | VIN range: not known | S-code(s): S761 |
Extras/Options M-code(s): A05, Z 06 (M040, M102,M167, M206, M282, M610), M034, M042, M046, M047, M076, M095, M106, M167, M173, M289, M616, M976, S 761,

Paint and Upholstery:

L16M (E9, U3) Tunisgelb / 57U (C5) Jeansblau (Tunisgelb was a unique SEB paint colour).

Accent to the paintwork was provided by all black external trim and a satin black rallye stripe to the lower body sides carrying the lettering “jeans”. A similar style “jeans” logo was carried on the engine lid.

Technical Data:

1200cc typ. 111 badged “jeans”
1200cc typ. 112 badged “jeans”

Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:

Special jeans blue denim upholstery complete with contrasting stitching and “back pockets” to the front seats, door trim (57U Jeansblau)
M 095  Blaupunkt VW-Radio ‘Wolfsburg’  (KW, MW, LW)
M 976 4½J x15 (ET41) (Lemmerz “GT”) sports wheels
M pack Z 06 which comprised of:
M 040  Speedometer with fuel gauge
M 102  Heated Rear Window
M 167  Passenger handhold and coat hook (roof edge)
M 206  Rear view mirror, inner, anti-dazzle
M 282  Passenger’s Sun visor
M 610 12 volt system for VW 1200 mit 34PS-Motor

As well as being one of the black trimmed group of SEBs the Jeans Beetle was also one of the a group of SEBs based on the most basic of all the Beetles – the “economy”, “basic”, “standard” or “spartan” Beetle – Sparkäfer. This to the extent that some early publicity photographs show examples with standard wheels complete with black hubcaps. We do not know if the M976 option was therefore universally added to the base Jeans specification or if most production versions were just ordered with it inclusive. A large variation of other M options over and above the basic 1200, and basic Jeans package, were factory fitted according to the market the cars were sold in.

These included:
M 034  Parking lamp warning light, side-mounted flashing indicators and rear reflector
M 042 Sealed tyres for Export markets
M 046 Side mounted indicators
M 047 Twin reversing lights
M 076 (cannot be identified)
M 095 Blaupunkt ‘Wolfsburg’ radio
M 106 Heavy duty shock absorbers
M 173 155 SR 15 radial tyres
M 289 Shear bolt for steering column tube fixing
M 616 Back-up light in the brake/indicator light

Context:

S761 Sonderaktion *Jeans-Bug* was one of three models in the “Käfer der Käufer” Edition presented at IAA’73 (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung), Frankfurt in September 1973.

The prototype naming was changed to The Jeans Beetle for series production.

The 1200cc / 34bhp Jeans Beetle was the first in a long line of designs by Gunhild Liljequist.

At the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show launch the the Jeans Beetle was priced at DM 5995 just DM345 more than the standard German market 1200 on which it was based. 4000 S761 Jeans Beetles were produced for the German market.

Unlike many other European markets only this, the first version Jeans Beetle, was sold in the UK where reversing lights came as part of the Edition’s equipment list. Priced at £1020.00p it cost £71.00p more than the standard model 1200 Beetle. UK importation amounted to 1,600 examples.

The Jeans Beetle (I) was produced by Volkswagen AG at Wolfsburg (Germany) and Brussels (Belgium – in the former D’leteren plant).

Sales Literature:

A large format, newspaper style, brochure with colour photos produced in two layout versions. The first illustrating the Jeans & Big Beetle and the second illustrating the Jeans, City & Big Beetle.

Further reading on this website:
Introduction to the “Käfer der Käufer” Group of Editions.
The individual profiles for the 1974 Jeans Beetle II, 1975 Jeans Beetle III and 1975 Mexican Jeans
“Retrospectively Speaking” editorial columns RS 002 and RS 005


 1/18 Otto Mobile S716 Jeans II Export


Further reading on this website:

“Retrospectively Speaking” editorial column RS 003

Marino Yellow photos courtesy Pat Parts, Belgium.

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This page last modified: 2023-01-29