Correct Fender Beading Color Combinations

Eric Shoemaker on June 25, 2015

’67 Volkswagen Beetle — Correct Fender Beading Color Combinations

Digging in the archives here at 1967beetle.com, we wanted to put this article in the spotlight once again.

Let’s talk about fender beading in regards to the ’67 Beetle. Over years of wear and tear, the correct fender beading is often times replaced with the common black version. However, you may not be aware that 1967 was a very innovative year for Volkswagen. A deluxe ’67 Beetle would originally be fitted with fender beading to match the body paint color. In the event you’re looking to bring your ’67 Beetle back to its former glory, I’ve provided the correct color combinations, as well as a chart illustrating the information. You can download below.

Body color – Fender beading color                                                    

L41 Black – Black  – Black
L282 Lotus White  –  Savanna Beige
L456 Ruby Red – Ruby Red
L518 Java Green – Java Green
L620 Savanna Beige – Savanna Beige
L633 VW Blue – VW Blue
L639 Zenith Blue – Zenith Blue
L19K Yukon Yellow – Yukon Yellow
L54 Poppy Red – Poppy Red

Note: Colored fender beading was only installed onto deluxe and convertible models, standard models (hardtop and sunroof) were equipped with black fender beading, regardless of the exterior paint scheme.

Color chart. Click to enlarge and download

’67 Volkswagen Beetle — Correct Fender Beading Color Combinations

Posted by Eric Shoemaker

Hello, I'm Eric. I started Air-Cooled Artifacts (previously, 1967beetle.com and Lane Russell). I drive a '67 Beetle daily and love to share vintage Volkswagen stories with the world.

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  1. Mark Morelock December 17, 2013 at 8:28 am

    You taught me something about the beading Eric. I didn’t know there was a difference between the standard and deluxe beading. My Lotus White did come with Savanna Beige.

    I saw a 67 Air Cleaner on The Samba this morning for $10. Looks to be in good shape, just needs restoring.

    Thanks for the clarification on the beading. Mark

    1. Eric Shoemaker December 17, 2013 at 8:31 am

      Mark,
      Thanks for reading. Oh? Email me and I’ll take a look.

  2. Anthony Jason Warren December 17, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    Forgive my ignorance on the subject (relatively new ’67 owner) but what is the difference in ‘deluxe” and “standard”? Thanks again for an informative article!!

    1. Eric Shoemaker December 17, 2013 at 3:02 pm

      No problem!
      I’ll let Jay chime in.

        1. Anthony Jason Warren December 18, 2013 at 12:39 pm

          I see the small descript for a bus but….not for a Beetle. Thanks for your time anyway!

          1. Anthony Jason Warren December 18, 2013 at 12:43 pm

            Found it on another website. I guess all US Beetles are “Deluxe”.

            …..The Standard Beetle was a “stripped down” model of the Beetle without almost any body or window chrome trim. In fact, the door handles, hood handles and front turn signal housings were painted, usually in grey. These were sold primarily in Europe, but available in other markets such as Canada. The Deluxe Beetle is what was primarily sold in the United States with the familiar body and window chrome moldings, door and hood handles and chromed front turn signal housings.

    2. Jay Salser December 18, 2013 at 9:44 pm

      Hello, again, Anthony…After some talk amongst ourselves, I believe that the consensus is that 1967 Beetles which came from the factory directly for USA consumption were “Deluxe” models. However, Standard models have come into the USA via private importation from Canada and Europe, mainly, but also from other sources not directly destined for USA consumption. These generally are pretty scarce these days–although one will turn up now and then.

      Nowadays when a person in the USA speaks of a “Standard” Beetle, he usually means that the car is not a SuperBeetle.

      jay

      1. Eric Shoemaker December 18, 2013 at 10:05 pm

        Jay,
        No talk of Super Beetles around here!

  3. Kevin morton December 17, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    Eventually I’ll get the zenith blue beading. I know I better not wait too long. What’s harder to get? Fender beading or running board mats? Hmmm….

    1. Eric Shoemaker December 17, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Both, actually! Zenith Blue fender beading is next to impossible.

  4. Charlie December 18, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    I am looking for L633 VW Blue beading and I am also having a difficult time.

    1. Eric Shoemaker December 19, 2013 at 8:33 am

      Yes, NOS might be the only way.

  5. Digger89L Canada June 25, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    All this ‘information’, but the most important word is missing: ‘source’. Is there a source for the colour matched fender beading?? (yes, I spelled colour with a ‘u’ …I’m Canadian, eh!)

    1. Eric Shoemaker June 25, 2015 at 7:19 pm

      A source might be taking a trip to Germany, and digging in all the long and forgotten places VW once made these great cars. Honestly, some pops up now and then on the web, but it’s few and far between. What color do you need?

      1. Digger89L Canada June 25, 2015 at 8:01 pm

        My bug is painted Bahama Blue (L519), and I’d like to keep it that colour, AND have matching fender beads. I know its not a ’67 colour, but ………

        1. Eric Shoemaker June 25, 2015 at 8:33 pm

          That one is going to be tough to find…

  6. Kevin June 25, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Excellent information! It has always been a bit Of a mystery to me what the correct color combination should be. On my sea blue 66 sedan I use the black beading.

  7. sdguero June 25, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    My standard savannah beige wants ti be deluxe with some savannah beige beading…

    1. Eric Shoemaker June 25, 2015 at 9:54 pm

      I have some, but let me see how much. It’s the subtle details that make the car look fantastic.

  8. Thierry June 25, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Hi Eric
    on my zenith blue 1300 deluxe, all of the fender beadings was beige, the running board to . I kept all of the beading but not in good condition to replace them

    1. Eric Shoemaker June 25, 2015 at 9:53 pm

      Hey, back. A bit odd as I’ve seen Zenith Blue running boards. Any chance your car had work done prior?

      1. Thierry June 26, 2015 at 2:32 pm

        never restored all in beige ….but nothing wrote on the Wolfsburg certificat

  9. Sam Glenn June 26, 2015 at 4:04 am

    I’ve found recently that you have to dye the beading to get the correct color now that the original is not offered anymore, unless you’re fortunate to findNOS. Wolfsburg West offers info on products used to dye the beading. I recently had repairs done to my Lotus White 67. Rather than dye the new beading, I had an upholsterer cover my original with a material that’s not Savannah Beige, but close. I’ll try to get some pics. The dyeing process is simply painting the bead.

  10. Ryan June 26, 2015 at 8:31 am

    A buddy of mine in Germany recently sourced some beige fender bead and running board mats for me. The mats were NOS but the fender beading was not, so I purchased 2 sets to have one as a spare. I’ll look for the link to the website…it’s German…

  11. Sam Glenn June 26, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Ryan, that’s great info. Although I did what I mentioned in my previous post, I would love to find the correct beading without having to paint/dye.

    1. Eric Shoemaker June 26, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      We may actually offer the correct fender beading in the future. We’re looking into it.

    2. Ryan June 27, 2015 at 8:32 am

      I tried to post a link but the site won’t let me. Probably thinks it’s spam?

      1. Eric Shoemaker June 27, 2015 at 8:33 am

        Try again..

        1. Ryan June 27, 2015 at 8:45 am

          Still didn’t work…

          1. Eric Shoemaker June 27, 2015 at 10:22 am

            Email me. I’ll post. :)

  12. Kevin Morrison June 27, 2015 at 9:11 am

    And while we are talking about obscure color combinations: Does anyone out there know if the front windshield heater tubes (made with paper and aluminum) were painted with the body at the factory or added at a later date. Some sedans have black uncolored look and others have the same color as body. I suspect the later because it looks as though it would be impossible to correctly fit the hoses in the space between the fender well and body.

      1. Eric Shoemaker June 28, 2015 at 10:28 am

        Update from Ryan.

        Eric,

        “Here’s the link to the German website that sells colored fender bead. It appears they don’t ship to the USA. My two sets, along with my NOS running board mats were delivered to me via a friend in Berlin so I have no experience in dealing directly with this webstore.

        Good luck! -Ryan”

        1. Digger89L Canada June 28, 2015 at 3:29 pm

          Yes…good info to have. But ….still no Bahama Blue. sigh

  13. Todd August 25, 2016 at 7:33 pm

    Looks like I will be having to install Savannah Beige fender beading when I eventually repaint my car to its original Lotus White color.

  14. Eric Shoemaker August 25, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    Good luck finding it.

    1. Jason "Sweet Tea" Warren August 25, 2016 at 8:32 pm

      Sorry Eric….didn’t mean to start an all out town hall meeting! Good info though…..I was confused because EVERYTHING on mine except the carb (found original numbers correct core on EBay) is original. That beige beading had me shaky. Thought it might be aftermarket from years ago.
      BTW…..How is the SE treating you two Eric?

  15. Eric Shoemaker August 25, 2016 at 8:34 pm

    No worries! That’s what we are here for. We are doing well. Just trying to grow our business. http://lanerussell.com.

    1. Jason "Sweet Tea" Warren August 25, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      Hey that’s awesome….I’m CAPT. Doofus. I didn’t correlate that that was your outfit! Do you have a FB presence? There are many 67 owners I come in contact with thru FB. I’m currently looking for a Sapphire V radio….can you believe someone liberated it from a show in TN??! I’m over here in Birmingham AL….a few bucks in petro away.

  16. Todd August 25, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    Eric, is it impossible to find?

  18. Rick June 21, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    Does anyone know where I can find Savanna Beige beading or running board covers?

  19. Eric Shoemaker June 25, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    Rick,
    I’m sorry for the delayed reply. We can special order if for you. Please email. Hello@lanerussell.com

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