The ’67 Beetle Carburetor Identification Tag

While I was dealing with the Key Tag (see previous Article), I thought of the Factory Tag which came on German Solex Carburetors, I decided to go through my parts to see if I had any loose Tags. You know—I found only one, which I thought to be for a Model later than the 30 Pict-1, VW 105-1 which came with our Deluxe 1967 Beetles. I could NOT find one for 1967 in my parts bins.

So, I did what is becoming second nature to me—I contacted David Brown—again!

David did some research and came up with a description of the Tag which would have come on the Carburetor specific to the ’67 Deluxe Bug. Here’s what David had to say:

“Hello JK, according to the Garwood Book, the Tag Number for a 1967 Beetle Carburetor is 113-129-027 F. This Tag Number is the correct, original part number for that Carburetor when it was manufactured. These Tag Numbers seldom correlate to the Parts Book Part Numbers because of superseding Carburetors that have a different Part Number (often simply a different ending letter) indicating some internal modification of a particular Carburetor.

The 30 PICT-1 Carburetors had either an 023 (last 3 digits) for 6V or an 027 for 12v. The first 3 digits were either 113 (Beetle) or 141 (Karmann Ghia). For 1967, the VW Parts Book (circa 1970) does still show 113 129 027 F as the correct Part Number (for the 1967 Deluxe Beetle 30 Pict-1, VW 105-1 Carburetor).”

That’s great information for us who are “Numbers People”!

And…if you are lucky enough to have the Garwood Volkswagen Series of Books—you are, indeed, blessed! This Series came in Volumes One and Two. The Series was called: Volkswagen Beetle, The Car of the Century, by J. T. Garwood. This is a very rare set of books which rarely is seen at sale. But, I digress. David mentioned the Garwood Book to point to the correct, for 1967 Beetle, Carburetor Identification Tag.

I mention, above, that I did find one Carburetor Tag, but believed it to be for a later Carburetor. It is aluminum and has a “golden appearance” (cadmium plating?). It is stamped 113129033 C (no space between the numerals–only between the stamped numerals and the letter C) Here’s a photo of it for comparison with other Carburetor Tags.

Says David Brown: “The 113 129 033 C Part Number still was current in the 1981 VW Parts Price Book and is for the 34mm Carburetors (71-74)”.

Then, on another day when I was again sorting parts in the garage, I discovered an unplated Aluminum Carburetor Identifying Tag. This one is stamped as follows: 113 129 029 D. (note the space between the 3 sets of numeric digits as well as the space between the number and the letter “D”). It identifies a 30 Pict-3 Solex Carburetor, which would have been used for a 1970 Beetle with a Manual Transmission.

I decided to remove the ID Tag from the 30 Pict-1, VW 105-1 Carburetor on my own 1967 Beetle. I removed the Air Cleaner and the impeding top part of the Air Cleaner Stabilizing Bracket. This enabled me to remove the front Carburetor Screw which secures the top part of the Carburetor to the bottom half of the Carburetor. This screw also secures the Tag to the Carburetor.

The approximate measurements of this Tag are (remembering that there is age-usage wear which limits “exact” measurements) Length: 45.18mm; Width: 12.11mm; Thickness: 0.40mm; Hole Diameter: 5.21mm.

I gently cleaned the Tag, using 4/0 steel wool. Then, using care, I did a bit of work to straighten some time-inherited krinkles to the Tag. Since it had a bit of oxidation, I put a magnet to the Tag. Sure enough, this Tag was attracted to the magnet. Steel Tag!

Once the Tag was clean, I could see traces of plating–shiny spots here and there. Rather than to have the Tag plated, I decided to preserve it as it is. I cleaned it well using some mineral spirits. When it had dried, I lightly sprayed the Tag on both sides using a Clear Coating product and allowed it to dry.

Now, it was time to reattach the Tag to its Carburetor and to reinstall the Air Cleaner.

Will the “treasure hunts” never end? I hope not!

Notes:

AGAIN—Thank you, David Brown, for guiding me in this process!