1976 Jeans Bug

Country and/or Category/Destination: South Africa | Production: Uitenhage | VIN range: not known | S-code(s): not known | Extras/Options M-code(s): not known
L RSA 11 Sunset/Sunburst Yellow 11 Blue denim
L RSA 13 Tangerine 13 Blue denim
L RSA 46 Electric Blue 46 Blue denim
L RSA 09 Bamboo 09 Blue denim

Paint and Upholstery:

‘Bamboo’ (09) / blue denim

‘Sunburst Yellow’ (11) / blue denim

‘Tangerine’ (13) / blue denim

‘Electric Blue’ (46) / blue denim

(South African Volkswagen paint colours were unique to that local market)

Accent to the paintwork was provided by all black external trim.

Technical Data:

1600cc  typ. 114S  badged “jeans”

Factory Fitted Optional Equipment:

VDO instrument panels replacing the grill panels either side of the speedometer and housing VDO ‘Cockpit’ style gauges:  to the left –  52mmØ oil pressure gauge above voltmeter, to the right – 80mm Ø tachometer.

Petri AG sports steering wheel

Center tunnel tray

Cigarette lighter

‘jeans” side script in black or silver depending on the body paintwork colour.

‘jeans’ badge on the engine lid

4½J x15”Rostyle ‘sports’ wheels with 155SRx15 radial tyres

Chrome wheel trim rings

Context:

The Jeans Bug was based on the contemporary VW_ 1300 model with many of its standard fittings unique to Uitenhage production*

Information varies about how many Jeans Bugs were produced (between 1,080 and 1,400) by Volkswagen of South Africa (PTY) Ltd. at Uitenhage, South Africa.

Sales Literature:

A nice pop-up card style brochure was produced to promote Jeans Bug sales.

VW-Genetics Related Profiles

Jeans Beetle web site JeansBeetles.com. Some images courtesy of Marco Marco, Volkswagen Audi CAR Magazine “The Special Beetles Pt.1 – The South African Special Editions, 1983. Some information Neels Muller.

This page last modified: 2026-09-14