DOC // DECODER // 002
Factory Reconstruction Terminal
Deterministic VW aircooled decoder. Input a chassis number and optional engine / M-codes / paint / trim. Output: a full Aircooled Digital Certificate with confidence scoring and validation.
FIELD REFERENCE · HOW TO DATE YOUR VW
Help me read the stamps on my car
Location · Font · Forgery tells · Decoder workflow — offline reference notes from factory + reference material
Pad location: Center tunnel under the rear seat cushion. Lift cushion → stamped directly into the tunnel sheet-metal (pre-1969), or a riveted ID plate on top of the tunnel (1969+).
Era notes: MY1969+ added a VIN plate under the hood (spare-wheel well, left side). Super Beetle (1971+) placed its VIN additionally on the dash, visible through the windshield.
Pad location: Engine compartment — left of the firewall on the bulkhead. Also stamped on the chassis rail behind the driver's seat (lift seat base).
Era notes: Pre-1959: single prefix 20-. 1959-1967: prefix 21/22/23/24 by sub-model. 1968+ Bay: 9-digit MY-coded. Campers converted by Westfalia / Dormobile add their own body-plate separately.
Pad location: Engine compartment, on the horizontal bulkhead panel above the gearbox. Also tunnel-stamped behind the rear seat.
Era notes: Prefix: 31 (Notch), 32 (Fastback), 36 (Squareback). All share the same 1966-1973 production window for export.
Pad location: Engine bay — stamped into the left inner fender near the strut tower. Plate additionally on the dashboard base (VIN through windshield).
Era notes: Prefix: 41 (Type 4), 47 (Porsche 914), 93 (Brasília), 94 (SP2). 914 has a Porsche-specific VIN format overlaid on the VW chassis.
Pad location: Center tunnel under the rear seat cushion (identical location to Type 1 Beetle).
Era notes: Prefix: 18. Model numbers 180–189 (MY1970–1980). US 'Thing' sold 1973–1974; continued in Mexico as 'Safari' through 1980.