1975 Jeans III Model SPECIAL EDITION S744

S744 Jeans
Mechanicals
Spare Parts Reference
Identifying a 75 Jeans

1975 "JEANS" Model (S744 Special Edition)

Paint code: L28N "ORANGE" or L20C "NEPAL ORANGE" (see below)

Calling all Jeans S744 owners!

For several decades, one fact seemed well established: the color attributed to the Jeans III was L20C "Nepal Orange" (Nepalorange). This assumption was based on the following:

Articles in the specialized automotive press mentioned this color as early as the model's release in 1975.
Birth certificates issued by the Wolfsburg archives explicitly state the paint code L20C.

However, a closer look at surviving vehicles and period archives now casts doubt:
To date, no original paint sticker displaying the reference L20C Nepal Orange has been found in the front trunk of a '75 Jeans. Conversely, several surviving Jeans III models retain an original sticker clearly showing the code L28N Orange.
On the other hand, no birth certificate issued by the museum, to our knowledge, mentions the code L28N, whereas an official Merkblatt (service bulletin intended for dealerships and workshops) lists only the shade L28N for the special series Jeans S744.

So, is it L28N Orange, L20C Nepal Orange, or did both colors exist side by side?
To shed light on this debate within the special edition community, we are reaching out to all Jeans S744 owners. If your vehicle still has its original paint code sticker in the front trunk, your feedback would be invaluable! Please feel free to contact us to confirm or refute the presence of the L20C Nepal Orange code.

Bodywork

The Jeans S744 was given the color L28N "Orange" or L20C "Nepal Orange". L20B Bright Orange and L16M Tunis Yellow have also been reported.

The characters L6 indicate the paint code L28N Orange. The E5 code for L20C Nepal Orange remains to be confirmed on the S744. This code is stamped vertically on the identification plate located under the front hood, to the left of the hood latch.

Released in October 1974, the third Jeans series (S744 Jeans III on 111 and 112 models) featured the modifications introduced to the Beetle range for the 1975 model year. The most striking changes were the front turn signals, which moved from the top of the fenders to the front bumper. The headlight mounting was also updated: they were now screwed directly into the fender, and the bezel no longer featured adjustment screws. The rear apron became curved, and a fog light was installed under the rear bumper. Like its 1974 predecessor, the '75 Jeans was completely de-chromed and featured the same black adhesive side stripes with the "Jeans" logo.

A milestone in the Beetle's history: production at the Wolfsburg plant ended on July 1st, 1974, at 11:19 AM. A total of 11,916,519 Beetles had been built there since 1945. Production would subsequently continue at the Hanover, Emden, and Brussels plants.

Interior

The upholstery is made of blue denim. The piping is blue, and the stitching is yellow. The dashboard is covered with a black plastic trim. The door panels are blue and include map pockets. Carpeting covers the entire floor. The headliner is a short white model, as are the sun visors.

Equipment

The Jeans 75 features H4 halogen headlights, a heated rear window, and a rear fog light.

1975 Model "JEANS III" S744 (Export Model)

The Jeans 75 reserved for export receive the following options (M-codes):

M 227: Seats with headrests

M 228: Padded dashboard

M 289: Breakaway screws for steering column attachment

M 607: Seat backrest lock

M 976: Lemmerz "GT" sport wheels 4½J X 15 (ET 34 offset)

M 599: 50 hp engine, disc brakes, compensation spring. - Looking for any information regarding this M 599 option! -

Z06 M-Package: includes the options below

M 040: Fuel gauge in the speedometer

M 102: Heated rear window

M 167: Passenger assist handle with coat hook

M 206: Rearview mirror with day/night function

M 282: Passenger sun visor

M 610: 12V electrical system

Certain equipment, such as M046 side indicator repeaters in Denmark, may be added depending on the regulations of the destination country.

VW Certificate for a Jeans built on December 9, 1974, and delivered to France. Note that this Jeans was built in Belgium.

Thanks to Olivier Millon for providing a copy of his certificate

1975 Model "JEANS III" S744 (Inland - Domestic Market Only)

M 040: Fuel gauge in the speedometer

M 102: Heated rear window

M 173: 155 SR 15 radial tires

M 193: 12 V 45 Ah battery instead of 12 V 36 Ah

M 227: Seats with headrests

M 228: Padded dashboard

M 289: Breakaway screws for steering column attachment

M 549: 3-point seat belts

M 551: Headlights with halogen bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs

M 571: Rear fog light

M 610: 12V electrical system

M 976: Lemmerz "GT" sport wheels 4½J X 15 (ET 34 offset)

Option M289. Photo Carsten Dettmer

VW Certificate for a Jeans built on October 16, 1974, and delivered to Darmstadt, Germany.

Thanks to Carsten Dettmer for providing a copy of his certificate

Translation: Jeans Beetle Advertisement (Germany - 1975)

"Jeans to drive. Easily save about 400 Marks."

"If you like wearing jeans, you can now drive in jeans too. In the new orange-colored Jeans Beetle. All seats are upholstered in the finest, most durable blue denim fabric. And it comes with a host of options that make it even more dynamic. Such as front headrests. A padded dashboard with a fuel gauge. A 12-Volt electrical system."

"Safe, long-lasting radial tires mounted on sport wheels. Halogen headlights up front, a rear fog light. A heated rear window. With all this equipment, the Jeans Beetle costs DM 6,795.— (Factory recommended retail price, VAT included.) Easily saving you about DM 400.—. Take a test drive at your local VW dealer. The engine-powered jeans are available right now with no down payment."

Wheels

The Lemmerz "GT" sport wheels in 4½J X 15 ( ET34 offset ) were standard equipment for the S744 series.

Mechanical Specs

The mechanical base is consistent with the Beetle range for the 1975 model year.

Chassis:

• Front axle with torsion bars.
• Braking system: 4 drums, dual-circuit master cylinder.
• Gearbox with swing axles, 8x35 ring and pinion.
• Wheelbase: 2400 mm.

Engine: 1200 / Identification Letter D

Bore: 77 mm
Stroke: 64 mm
Displacement: 1192 cc
Compression Ratio: 7.0:1
Maximum Power: 34 hp at 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 84 Nm at 2000 rpm

Electrical System: 12 volts, with alternator.

S744 Spare Parts References

The part numbers listed in the table below are sourced from the spare parts catalogue archives available on the "Volkswagen Classic Parts" website, as well as the "Merkblatt" bulletin No. 45 from October 1974. "Merkblätter" are technical information sheets issued by the VW spare parts department for dealerships and workshops.
Some parts are not exclusive to the Jeans Beetle, such as bumpers, side trim mouldings, or headlight rings, and may have been fitted to other special editions. However, the upholstery items are strictly specific to this model.
As a reminder: Type 111 is left-hand drive, Type 112 is right-hand drive, both fitted with the 1200 cc engine.
A huge thank you to Stephen Hardy for sharing copies of the Merkblatt bulletins!

🔄 Display tip: rotate your phone to landscape mode to view the full table.

Part Number	Color	Description	S 744 111	S 744 112	Quantity
Bodywork / Exterior Equipment
111 092 523	01C	Rallyestreifen, satinschwarz, 1 Satz Rally stripes, satin black, 1 set	x	x	1
111 807 111 A		Stoßfänger vorn (grundiert) Front bumper (primed)	x	x	1
113 707 311 J		Stoßfänger hinten (grundiert) Rear bumper (primed)	x	x	1
415 707 401	091	Klebeband für Stoßfänger, silber Adhesive tape for bumper, silver	x	x	2
111 823 565 B	041	Deckelgriff (schwarz) Hood handle (black)	x	x	1
111 827 503 H	03C	Deckelschloß, abschließbar Decklid lock, lockable	x	x	1
111 837 205 H	041	Türgriff außen, abschließbar Outer door handle, lockable	x	x	2
113 853 321 E		Zierrahmen links für Türfenster Trim frame left for door window	x	x	1
113 853 322 E		Zierrahmen rechts für Türfenster Trim frame right for door window	x	x	1
111 853 515		Zierleiste Tür Door trim molding	x	x	2
111 853 525		Zierleiste für Seitenteil vorn links Trim molding for front side panel, left	x	x	1
111 853 526		Zierleiste für Seitenteil vorn rechts Trim molding for front side panel, right	x	x	1
111 853 535		Zierleiste für Seitenteil hinten links Trim molding for rear side panel, left	x	x	1
111 853 536		Zierleiste für Seitenteil hinten rechts Trim molding for rear side panel, right	x	x	1
111 941 177		Abdeckring grundiert für Tragring Headlight bezel, primed (for mounting ring)	x	x	2
Trim, Seats and Interior Accessories
113 867 015 M	57U / C5	Türverkleidung links / jeansblau Door trim panel, left / jeans blue	x	x	1
114 867 016 M	57U / C5	Türverkleidung rechts / jeansblau Door trim panel, right / jeans blue	x	x	1
113 867 043 N	57U / C5	Seitenverkleidung links / jeansblau Rear side trim panel, left / jeans blue	x	x	1
113 867 044 M	57U / C5	Seitenverkleidung rechts / jeansblau Rear side trim panel, right / jeans blue	x	x	1
111 881 405 AB	57U / C5	Polsterbezug für Sitz vorn (Stoff) / jeansblau Front seat cushion cover (cloth) / jeans blue	x	x	2
111 881 805 AN	57U / C5	Polsterbezug für Rückenlehne (Stoff) / jeansblau Front seat backrest cover (cloth) / jeans blue	x	x	2
111 881 805 AP	57U / C5	Polsterbezug für Rückenlehne mit Kopfstütze (Stoff) / jeansblau Front backrest cover with headrest (cloth) / jeans blue	x	x	2
111 885 405 AC	57U / C5	Polsterbezug für Sitz hinten (Stoff) / jeansblau Rear seat cushion cover (cloth) / jeans blue	x	x	1
111 885 805 AD	57U / C5	Polsterbezug für Rückenlehne hinten (Stoff) / jeansblau Rear seat backrest cover (cloth) / jeans blue	x	x	1
111 885 805 AH	57U / C5	Polsterbezug für Rückenlehne hinten (Stoff) nur für S744/M607 / jeansblau Rear seat backrest cover (cloth) for S744 with M607 option / jeans blue	x	x	1
111 898 893		1 Satz Zierknöpfe für Sitzbezüge 1 set of decorative studs for seat covers	x	x	1
Wheels and Wheel Accessories
113 601 025		Sportfelge 4 1/2 J x 15 (GT-Sportfelge) Sport wheel 4 1/2 J x 15 (GT sport wheel)	x	x
111 601 171		Nabenkappe für Sportfelge Hub cap for sport wheel	x	x	4
111 601 173		Abdeckkappe für Radschrauben Wheel bolt cover cap	x	x	16

Identifying a Jeans Beetle (1975)

Here are some technical tips and key information to help you identify an authentic 1975 Jeans Beetle edition.

Chassis number location under the rear seat

The chassis number is stamped onto the rear end of the central tunnel, directly under the rear bench seat.

Chassis number stamping starting with 115

It must strictly begin with 115 (where "5" indicates the 1975 model year), followed by 7 digits.

On the front apron, to the left of the hood latch, you will find a small riveted plate. It provides two key pieces of information: the paint color and the production date of the Beetle. For the date, you will find all the details you need on the production plates decoder on the SE Beetles website.

The vertically oriented characters L6 indicate the paint code L28N Orange. The E5 code L20C Nepal Orange remains to be confirmed on the S744.

Another highly accurate historical document is the factory **punch card** detailing the exact delivery specification, including factory options (known as M-codes). This card is sometimes found among the original paperwork carefully preserved by previous owners.

- First line: contains the chassis number, engine number, and an internal factory code.
- Second line: features all factory-installed optional equipment defined by M-codes:

- Z06: M-Package (see factory certificate above).
- 123: M123 - Without radio preparation.
- 124: M124 - Yellow headlight bulbs.
- 173: M173 - 155 SR 15 radial tires specification.
- 228: M228 - Padded dashboard trim.
- 744: M744 - Jeans S744 Special Edition package (Jeans III)
- 976: M976 - Lemmerz "GT" sport wheels in 4 1/2J X 15.

- Third line: provides miscellaneous technical attributes for the Beetle:
- 111 011 = Type 111 left-hand drive, 1200 cc engine. - L6 L6 C5 = L6 L28N Orange paint combination with blue denim upholstery code (C5). - 995 = Delivery zone / Importer destination code.