1955 Ghia-styled two-plus-two coupe with two functional air intake openings in the front panel for improved cockpit ventilation. Louvres at the rear admit air to the air-cooled engine. Small tall lights, almost rectangular. Metal dashboard in body colour. Traditional Beetle drivetrain with rear-mounted 30bhp 1192cc air-cooled flat-four engine bolted to four-speed swing-axle transaxle with synchromesh on top three ratios.
1957 Redesigned dashboard with fuel gauge located between speedometer and clock. New steering wheel with semi-circular horn ring.
1958 Cabriolet launched alongside coupe.
1959 Front wings redesigned to raise headlamp height; front air intake grilles enlarged.
1960 Right-hand-drive versions of both coupe and cabriolet available from August 1959. Redesigned rear light clusters.
1961 Engine uprated to 34bhp, transmission now all-synchromesh.
1966 Styling essentially unchanged, but many improvements under the skin, including 40bhp 1285cc engine and redesigned front suspension with balljoints in place of king and link pins.
1967 New 44bhp 1493cc engine installed across the range. Revised final drive ratio for more relaxed cruising. Disc front brakes with dual circuits fitted for the first time. Increased rear track and stabiliser bar help to improve handling. Four-stud wheel fixing and 'flat' hub caps. Woodgrain-effect dashboard trim.
1968 Optional semi-automatic 'stickshift' transmission introduced plus all-new 'four-joint' rear suspension. Electrics upgraded to 12 volts. Fuel filler cap moved to behind flap on front wing.
1971 50bhp 1584cc engine with separate inlet ports, to-speed now 83mph. New wrap-around front indicators and larger rear light clusters introduced.
1972 Matt-black dashboard, new 'safety' steering wheel. Rear lights enlarged 'Euro' bumpers fitted to meet stricter US safety regulations.
1974 Production ceases on June 21.
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