New Beetle - California Limited Edition?

[HCSkorpio]

Im wondering if you guys know if there was an official limited production run of a New Beetle - California Edition.

The reason Im asking is I saw a 1998 Black NB at a salvage yard that had a CALIFORNIA emblem underneath the VW emblem. The word "CALIFORNIA" was spelled out meaning it wasnt one whole emblem. The emblem also looked OEM.

The only difference is it also had tinted taillights that looked very OEM. When I pulled them there was a sticker on them that had a VW part number.

A quick google search pulls nothing except a VW Jetta California edition. The VW Jetta on the commercials here in so cal say it has smoked lights, black wheels, rear spoiler, and a special bluetooth radio player.

I will go this week to get pictures...in the mean while any ideas?

[Lnzbug]

I've never heard of it. But then I'm not from Cali Juggbug has emblems that look oem too that she got from I don't remember where.

[pdoel]

VW didn't officially start the Limited Editions (LE) until 2000, with the first two being the Vapor Blue and Reflex Yellow.

There was a Citroen Yellow (or Citroen Green, can't remember) I believe in '99.

VW definitely did not do any sort of badging on the NB until 2001, with the first being the Sport model receiving a SPORT badge.

My guess is that what you saw was a badge someone threw on themselves.

[HCSkorpio]

Originally Posted by pdoel

VW didn't officially start the Limited Editions (LE) until 2000, with the first two being the Vapor Blue and Reflex Yellow.

There was a Citroen Yellow (or Citroen Green, can't remember) I believe in '99.

VW definitely did not do any sort of badging on the NB until 2001, with the first being the Sport model receiving a SPORT badge.

My guess is that what you saw was a badge someone threw on themselves.

I see what you are saying and I suspect it might be an aftermarket emblem. But another possible scenario is it could have been a California dealer installed option.

Here are a pics of the tail lights that I pulled from the "cali bug" on my car. I might put the stock tail lights back on.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by HCSkorpio

I see what you are saying and I suspect it might be an aftermarket emblem. But another possible scenario is it could have been a California dealer installed option.

Here are a pics of the tail lights that I pulled from the "cali bug" on my car. I might put the stock tail lights back on.

It's possible the dealer put that one, but it wouldn't really be a "dealer installed option". That usually implies that it's OEM from the factory, and the dealer can simply install them.

There have never been OEM tails other than what came with the Beetle. ANY other tails were after market. And as stated, VW had NO badging for the NB until 2001.

And even back in 1998, after market tails weren't as readily available as they are today. My guess is still that the owner added these.

[Deserion]

Looks like someone took the stock tails and hit them with Nite Shades or another tinting spray.

[shellbug]

Off topic, but look at all those cozy coupes My son loved his cozy coupe.

[HCSkorpio]

Originally Posted by shellbug

Off topic, but look at all those cozy coupes My son loved his cozy coupe.

Haha

Anyways, I decided to put the stock tail lights back on, and went back to the wrecking yard to take pics of the "California Beetle" to show you guys. The wheels are definitely aftermarket and the rear side markers do have a tint.

The VIN number for the vehicle is 3VW8863C4WM023749
Date Made 04/98







While I was at the yard, I saw a new beetle with a very clean frame and no damage get sent to the crusher for scrap metal. Very unfortunate.

[Wiebren]

california comes from the travelingcampers from VW. T4 T5 etc

[mvwgruppe]

It would be cool to find those types of letters to place
any kind of word on your Newbie.

[topless kitty]

Originally Posted by mvwgruppe

It would be cool to find those types of letters to place
any kind of word on your Newbie.

www.badgeyourride.com

and that thing was either badged up and modded by the previous owner, or some dealership put it together, which isn't uncommon in california. mckenna dealers in socal sell their beetles with the "mckenna protection package" which is a gimmick that means it has blue badges. my ex and i used to point out beetles with blue badges and roll our eyes.

[Daisey]

You can also get chrome letters at AutoZone..... adhesive backed

[HCSkorpio]

Originally Posted by Daisey

You can also get chrome letters at AutoZone..... adhesive backed

Okay, so going off a tangent I have had some time to take a few pictures of the tail lights I pulled from the Cali Bug. It's no longer there, so I'm assuming it got sent to the crusher.

The manufacture date of the tailights is 4/13/1998 in the USA.

Manufacture Reitter and Schefenacker. A google search says they are an importer and leads to some german website called Odelo which makes automotive signal lights. But the tailight says made in the USA.

The sticker on them say 1CO 945 095 D, which is the same as a part number for the regular

I would suspect a tint spray, but there isn't a tint film and the housing is chrome. This is different from the stock housing which are usually red, but they have a VW part number.