News

Website update. I hope you enjoy this new version!

Alain Fabre, a.k.a Alain Coxialf, admin of the "coccinelle Jeans" Facebook group, created several goodies centered around our favorite topic together with his son Nathaël. Here are a few of their creations:

3 new postcards have been added to the collectors page! The first two show the same Phoenixrot S716 Jeans Beetle in the same square in Obernai, Alsace. The third one features an S761 spotted in Gruissan, Aude (11), parked near the famous beachfront stilt houses.

The Hessisch Oldendorf international meeting, held in a small town in Lower Saxony, Germany, took place from June 25 to 28. It was an incredible event, as much for the outstanding quality of the vehicles on display and the huge swap meet as for the warm, friendly atmosphere. You quickly forget the 900 km trip driven in a Combi under scorching heat to get there. To top it off, I had the pleasure of spotting three Jeans Beetles this year!

The always well-stocked Swap Meet is packed with rare vintage parts… but you can also find 70s parts and even a few for Jeans Beetles! While prices skyrocket for "Weltmeister / Champion" wheel center caps, they remain affordable for less sought-after items, like a Jeans Bug shift knob found for €30.

On August 23, 1973, the first units of the Jeans special edition rolled off the Wolfsburg assembly lines. Designed by Gunhild Liljequist and introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September '73, it quickly became a great success and endured through several editions produced throughout the Beetle's career. Common and not very sought-after in the 80s and 90s, it often served as a base for Cal Look, Baja-bug, or other trends of the time. In the early 2000s, restored examples could be counted on one hand. Then came Marco de Waal's project with his magnificent slammed Jeans, which brought the model back into the spotlight. Since then, its popularity (and its market value...) has steadily increased, making it today a highly prized model for fans of seventies editions. Happy Birthday, Jeans Beetle!

Jeans enthusiasts gathered on May 27th and 28th, 2023, at the stunning site of Lake Vassivière in the Creuse region. A total of 27 Jeans Beetles attended throughout the weekend. It was a time of great motivation, a warm atmosphere, sharing stories, and tasting local delicacies brought by each participant. An unforgettable weekend!

Just in time to celebrate the Jeans' 50th anniversary with its friends! After more than 20 years in its original configuration, it needed some TLC and underwent a full restoration of its bodywork, mechanics, and interior. Here it is with a fresh new look, fitted with "period correct" parts and accessories. All the details coming soon!

A blend of "Vocho" (the Beetle's nickname in Mexico) and "Camioneta" (pickup/light truck). I love it!

The Jeans belonging to Stéphane Le Ruyet is now the earliest known survivor! She is resplendent and has never been restored.
Built on the very same day as the previous title holder—Thursday, August 23, 1973 (the first day of production for the series)—her production number (344-0053) is indeed lower than Fabien Flis's Jeans (344-0102) and Kevin Friquet's (344-0202).

The South African Jeans page has been updated!

The Jeans Beetle's 50th anniversary is this year! To celebrate, members of the "VW Coccinelle Jeans" Facebook page are organizing a gathering for Jeans owners. The date is set for May 27th, 28th, and 29th, 2023. This isn't an official car show, but rather a meet-up between enthusiasts where everyone brings their Jeans Beetle, their good spirits, and some culinary specialties from their region. More information is available on the "VW Coccinelle Jeans" Facebook page or via the site's contact page if you don't use Facebook.

Likely the first electric Jeans Beetle in the world! This retrofit was performed on a rare "Frostrite" Jeans. This special edition takes its name from the Cambridge VW dealer Jack Frost. Distinctive features include the black vinyl roof and the rear decklid grille adorned with a unique aluminum trim.

Source: Repurposed Classics

A new variation based on a Bugster!

A new Jeans Beetle built on August 23, 1973, has been identified on the "VW Coccinelle Jeans" Facebook page. Belonging to Kevin Friquet, it was built shortly after Fabien Flis's Jeans, which remains the current oldest known (see October 2019 news). It has all its original paperwork, and for the first time, the U3 code associated with the L16M Tunis Gelb (Tunis Yellow) paint—specific to the very start of production—is visible on a factory document.

A lovely advertisement from November 1975 completes this update. It is a fold-out brochure featuring the South African Jeans based on the 1976 model. Regarding South African Jeans, I am still looking for a photo of the blue variant of the series... For years, this "Denim Blue" Jeans has been something of a Holy Grail. You can discover the advertisement on the South African Jeans page.

You'll find all the information needed to identify it right here:
identifying a 1974 Jeans beetle
identifying a 1975 Jeans beetle

The oldest recorded Jeans Beetle in the world is French! Here is the amazing story of Fabien Flis, from the Aisne region. He rescued a Jeans with a rather unpromising appearance, which turned out to be the oldest one recorded to date! According to its production plate, it was built on August 23, 1973. On this same plate, the color code U3 is present instead of the usual E9 for Tunis Gelb (Tunis Yellow). This code seems to have been used on the very first Jeans built. This new record holder beats the previous title holder—Koen Bracke's Beetle, built on August 24, 1973—by just one day.

Seen at the Chateau d'Oex meeting in Switzerland, this 1982 Jeansbug with only 200 km on the clock. Magnificent!

It's done! The very first Jeans Beetle gathering took place on May 19th, 20th, and 21st. Ten Jeans participated in this inaugural edition. Highly motivated participants from all corners of France, a beautiful region, and sun-drenched weather turned this meet-up into a great moment of conviviality. Great atmosphere and beautiful Jeans! Everyone agreed that it’s an experience that must be repeated!

A nice Bus with a 1995 Jeans look. It suits it pretty well!

The Jeans Beetle's 45th anniversary is this year! To celebrate, members of the "VW Coccinelle Jeans" Facebook page are organizing a gathering for enthusiasts of this model. The date is set for May 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2018.

Here are the Facebook pages where fans of our favorite Beetle hang out:

• VW Coccinelle Jeans, the French-speaking page! A great atmosphere with plenty of mutual help.
• Jeans Bug Kever, lots of photos. In English and Dutch.
• Jeans Beetle & UK register, in English. The page for British-spec Jeans, hosted by Andy Gore.
• Special Edition Beetles, in English. The Facebook page for the SE Beetles website, hosted by Colin E Shinkin and Stephen Paul Hardy. Covers all special edition Beetles.

Andy Gore offers a whole range of decals to help you restore your Jeans Beetle to its best. The side stripes are, of course, available and are exact replicas in terms of dimensions, lettering, and appearance of the original stickers. Andy also offers "technical" stickers found on the Beetle. Essential for any restoration!

• Jeans Beetle & UK register - jeans decal kit

Love Jeans Beetles and want to show it? These t-shirts are for you. Offered by Colin E Shinkin, you can find the S761 (Tunis Gelb) and S714/S716 (Phoenix Rot) Jeans designs. Other special editions are also available (GT Beetle, Formula Vee, etc.).

Update to the "Jeans Kit" page, featuring a small dealer poster found last year.

I love all these different Jeans variations!

Believe it or not, Jeansbeetles is 10 years old! If in 2005 only a handful of people were interested in this model, it’s a completely different story today with many Jeans Beetles either superbly restored or currently undergoing restoration. And given the surprising number of Jeans Beetles emerging from oblivion in recent months, it’s not going to stop anytime soon... and that’s a great thing! So, shall we meet again in 2025? It’s a date for me!

Fancy a lineup of Jeans Beetles? Bruno is offering to host Jeans owners for a dedicated gathering during the Incox'ruptibles meeting on July 29th, 30th, and 31st, 2016, in TONNEINS (Lot-et-Garonne, 47). Save the date—we'll talk more about it next year.

A new page has been created dedicated to the Mexican Jeans Beetles from 1975-76-77.

Updates to the pages for the 1974 Model, 1975 Model, and 1982 Model.

Update to the page dedicated to the "Jeans Kit." The photo below allowed me to confirm the existence of a cap and a sew-on patch that were provided with the kit. I had received a photo of these items back in 2008, but without any further information.

Speaking of the Jeans Kit, many New Old Stock (NOS) components from this kit were seen for sale this year. The prize for these discoveries definitely goes to the person who put two nearly complete kits up for sale!

Update to the 1976 Model page (South Africa). Added several new exterior and interior photos of a beautiful, freshly restored South African Jeans Beetle. An exotic Jeans that certainly doesn't lack charm!

Florent Gaufreteau, author of a vintage car blog (www.elcamino137.fr), sent me a link to a video featuring French singer Renaud and his song "Amoureux de Paname," cycling through the streets of Paris. Among the many French cars from the 60s and 70s, you can spot a few VWs.... including a Jeans Beetle! Personally, I love it!

Florent might be a familiar name to some of you—he is the artist behind the "VW Beetle Evolution" posters, where the Jeans Beetle is featured.

Jeans Look: After Karine's magnificent '76 Jeans Bus featured in Super VW Mag #295, here is another Bus inspired by the special edition. This one is named "Camper Jeans." Once again, the work is wonderfully inspired! Bravo.

At the end of the meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting Martine from the Corrèze region. Her car is cherished and has been remarkably restored.

Alain, owner of an S761 Jeans, has created a Facebook page to connect owners and enthusiasts of Jeans Beetles. The page already has 17 members. Join us!

Several of you asked me which issue of Paris-Match magazine featured the French advertisement for the Jeans: "When you're an idol, you don't dress like everyone else." It is Paris-Match issue #1279, dated November 10, 1973. A true collector's item!

The Jeans is 40 years old! I'm taking the opportunity of this anniversary to dust off the website, which hadn't been updated for a few years. Enjoy the read, and Happy Birthday Jeans Beetle!

Hello everyone! Finally, an update for Jeansbeetles! No, I haven't given up on researching Jeans Beetles... but it's true that new and verifiable information is becoming rare! Here are the latest news:

A rather "drenched" edition this year... but it allowed me to meet Aurélien Faquin and his brother, both Jeans enthusiasts. One drives a '95 Mexican model, and the other drives a model... straight out of his imagination! And the result is quite cool! Here is the "stone washed" Jeans with its "faded" interior matching the Beetle's exterior color. Well done, Aurélien!

Jeans Beetles aren't afraid of the road... and here’s the proof! This Jeans, driven by Kees and Josette Berger, participated in the Amsterdam-Beijing rally in 2006. 17,650 km of adventure!

Another enthusiast, Florent Gaufreteau, completed the "Rallye de l'Europe" in 1992 behind the wheel of an S716 Jeans.

A small update for the site at the end of 2006. I wish you all a very happy holiday season.

I have updated the "Collectors" page with a Jeans-branded keyring spotted on eBay and a new postcard.

René, a Dutch enthusiast, sent me a link to a website showing the "heavy" restoration of his Jeans Beetle. Impressive work!

Here is a QSL card from a ham radio operator living in Wolfsburg. It shows a production line at the VW factory where two S716 Jeans are being assembled.

Discovered by my friend Geoffroy Lhoest, this Jeans Beetle is in the middle of a "genetic mutation"...

I am gradually completing my Jeans Kit. Four NOS (New Old Stock) hubcaps have just joined my small collection. I am currently looking for a set of seat covers, either NOS or in very good condition. Please feel free to contact me.

I hope you all enjoyed your Jeans Beetles this summer. Two of them were caught "sunbathing" on Copacabana beach... ;-)

I stumbled upon the VW scene in Finland and wanted to find out if the Jeans had been imported there. The answer is yes, as I quickly found three examples in perfect condition.

The Jeans is making its movie debut! Richard, a British user whose parents used to drive a Jeans, pointed out a 1974 English film where the hero’s friend drives a brand-new Jeans Beetle. Several sequences show the Jeans in its original 70s environment, complete with bell-bottoms, oversized collars, and sheepskin jackets... pure joy! The film is "Man About the House."

The Vintage Classic took place on Saturday, September 16th. As usual, the courtyard of the Bergerie Nationale was filled with our favorite VWs in their original configurations. Some beautiful post-67 specimens were present, including three 1970s special editions: Bruno’s 1303 "Big," Nico’s 1302 "World Champion," and my own Jeans Beetle. We took the opportunity to snap a little family photo.

A great weekend in the beautiful Loire Valley region where I had the chance to meet several Jeans owners, all very passionate about this model. I counted and admired 7 Jeans on-site, including a rare '95. Next year, we’ll try to gather all the Jeans present for a beautiful family photo.

I dreamed of finding one (without much hope, I must admit), and the dream has come true! And New Old Stock, if you please! This lovely gear shift knob from the "Jeans Kit" has joined my personal collection.

No comment...

A new German advertisement for the '75 Jeans, discovered by Stefan Langer. Vielen Dank Stefan!

Here is a cool little sticker, very typical of the 1970s, found at the Soumoulou swap meet near Pau. A seller had many vintage stickers from oil, spark plug, and tire brands... the expert eye of José, who has no equal when it comes to spotting rarities tossed in bulk in cardboard boxes, was immediately drawn to this one. It is now proudly displayed in the engine bay of my Jeans!

A sad but rare vintage photo of an S716 Jeans! I hope this brutal encounter with a French Post Office 2CV didn't end too badly for the drivers. Thanks to Geoffroy Lhoest for sending me this document.

The text on the Jeans translates to: "Hugo van praag lesdienst op naaimachines" (Hugo Van Praag, sewing machine service).

Finally, a quick nod to Geoffroy Lhoest's magnificent 1303 "Big." The "Big" is a special edition that appeared at the same time as the Jeans and, just like them, these "Bigs" now deserve a proper restoration! Well done, Geoffroy... see you at Thenay! ;-)

Stefan Langer sent me some documents regarding the Polo Jeans! Released in 1976, this Polo series featured the same characteristics that made the Jeans Beetle so successful: flashy paint and denim upholstery! This little Polo is quite cute, isn't it?

Update to the detail pages: 1974 Model Year, 1975 Model Year, 1976 Model Year, and 1982 Model Year.

I am in contact with two owners of yellow '74 Jeans Beetles. One comes from very far away... in fact, its owner, Pierre, brought it from mainland France all the way to Nouméa, New Caledonia! A great little journey for this Jeans, which will soon be restored to the highest standards.

Both owners pointed out that the paint code is L11C "Brilliant Gelb" and not L13M "Saturn Gelb" as I had previously stated. However, the upholstery on these Jeans is indeed green... on that point, my memory didn't fail me! :-)

Finally, to wrap up this update, check out this Jeans Beetle with a "retro" look spotted at a British meeting. Surprising, isn't it???

The dream! A trip of nearly 2000 km to attend the brilliant gathering at Cap d'Agde, which took place on September 10th and 11th.

Here is a Mexican Jeans spotted on an auction site. Its metallic color ("metallic purple" according to the ad) really surprised me. I hope to get more information on this car.

Also seen on the web, the new Jeans (New) Beetle ;-) !!

Yes, an update already! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sent me words of encouragement. I received some mail providing info on the Jeans-branded hubcaps; you can find these details on the accessories page. A Jeans from the "64" department (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) has joined the registry, and a search notice for blue '74 Jeans models completes this update.

I hope you enjoy this site, exclusively dedicated to "Jeans" Beetles. Welcome everyone!