were backup lights/reverse lights standard on the 1965 beetle convertibles? i have one with no backup lights and i can't get it thru and inspection

if i remember correctly NO backup lights were NOT standard. i believe they became standard equipment in 1967. i do know that you could have the dealer install backup lights on earlier cars. the wiring diagrams do NOT show backup lights (or the backup lite switch for that matter) on anything before 1967. also, the owners manual in my 66 does NOT show a backup light bulb. shows every other one!!

WOW! fast and great info! now i just have to somehow convince the virginia inspector that they were not standard. i registered the vdub with vintage plates but not as an antique so it has to go thru inspection..... THANKS!

you can go to thesamba.com there they have a techincal section that has a list of all the owners manuals. you could print off the original owners manual that shows no listings for backup lights. also they have wiring diagrams for all years. you could take a copy of the wiring for your year, and a copy for the 1967 year with you. it shows NO wiring for backup lights for your year, but does show the wiring for the 1967 year. that should be enough proof to get you passed

i did see that info on samba - thanks. i'll take it with me to the inspection station. so....tonight when i was driving i stopped for gas. let me preface this by saying last time i got gas, i had trouble shutting the hood and a friend of mine shut it. tonight when i tried to open it, i couldn't. it's totally stuck or jammed. the pin seems to be outside the hole rather than in and somehow wedged. i can't budge it an inch. i'm freaking out wondering how to open it without scratching paint or denting the hood. i paid over nada value for the car and i'm worried now about getting the hood open and what it will cost to make the repair. i LOVE this car, but i'm seeing $$$ signs in my future. i've got the book, "how to keep your vw alive" but i don't think it addresses this particular jam. thanks in advance. sheri

couple things to try. if the hood is shut right, have someone pull and hold the hood release knob while you try to open the hood. push down before trying to lift. if the pin is outside hole you can push down on the hood ( takes some force) and then pull out (forward) while lifting. if all else fails, take a grinder, hack saw, dremel, anything you got and cut the handle in half. once handle is cut, take each piece of the handle and unscrew them. the nuts on the backside are captive so they shouldn't spin. the handle will unscrew and the hood will open. once hood is open, fix problem and replace handle. a new handle is around $10