1956-1964 Beetle1956-64 Beetle
1965-1967 Beetle1965-67 Beetle
1968-1969 Beetle1968-69 Beetle
1970-1972 Beetle1970-72 Beetle
1973 Beetle1973 Beetle
1974-1976 Beetle1974-76 Beetle
1977-1979 Beetle1977-79 Beetle
Note: The following information uses vehicle years determined by VIN numbers. Descriptions correlate with seats destined for the USA market. Seats made for foreign markets may vary (example: Euro seats did not have built-in headrests). Always check your VIN to correctly identify what model year your classic VW is. Do not assume the year on the tile is correct. For example, a beetle manufactured in 08/1964 would list 1965 in the title.

1955-57 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Lowback seats with no headrest attachment.
  • Piping runs side -> to top -> to side.
  • Mounts on "L" style seat rails.
  • Sedan & Convertible use different rear seat upholstery.
  • (Front) Seat adjustment knob located on frame near pivot.
  • No seat release (backrest tilt) feature. Lift forward manually.
1952-64 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Backrest frame has a bar that runs across from side to side.
  • 1952-1957 Seat frame has straight vertical backrest bars.
  • 1958-1964 Seat frame has curved vertical backrest bars.
  • Upper Seat Upholstery tucks INTO a slot at the bottom of the backrest.

1965-67 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Lowback seats with no headrest attachment.
  • Piping runs front -> to back.
  • Mounts on "L" style seat rails.
  • Sedan & Convertible use different rear seat upholstery.
  • 1965 & 1966 No seat release (backrest tilt) feature. Lift forward manually.
  • 1967 Has a seat release knob. (Technically a 1 year only seat frame.)
1965-67 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Backrest frame does not connect across the top.
  • 1965-67 Seat frame has straight vertical backrest bars.
  • Upper Seat Upholstery tucks OVER a spiked bar at the bottom of the backrest.

1968-69 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Highback seat with built-in rectangular headrest.
  • Wide headrest measures 10 3/4" wide.
  • Headrest foam (under the upholstery) is a separate unit that slips over the seat foam padding.
  • Piping runs front to back.
  • Mounts on "L" style seat rails.
  • Sedan & Convertible use different rear seat upholstery.
  • (Front) Seat adjustment knob located on seat frame.
  • Seat release (backrest tilt) located on upper backrest, facing the door side.
1968-69 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Backrest bars CONNECT across the top forming a 10 3/4" wide headrest.
  • Headrest portion is covered by a separate headrest foam insert.
  • Upper Seat Upholstery tucks OVER a spiked bar at the bottom of the backrest.

1970-72 VW Beetle Seat Frame

1970 & 1971-72 seats are technically 2 different seat frames that use the same upholstery. The main difference being the seat rails welded to the bottom of the seat frame. 1970 Seat frames mount on "L" style seat rails. 1971-72 Seat frames mount on "T" style seat rails.

  • Highback seat with built-in rectangular headrest.
  • Narrow headrest measures 6 3/4" wide.
  • Headrest foam (under the upholstery) is a separate unit that slips over the seat foam padding.
  • Piping runs front to back.
  • 1970 Seats mount on "L" style seat rails.
  • 1971-72 Seats mount on "T" style seat rails.
  • Sedan & Convertible use different rear seat upholstery.
  • Seat release (backrest tilt) located on upper backrest, facing the door side.
1970-72 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Backrest bars CONNECT across the top forming a 6 3/4" wide headrest.
  • Headrest portion is covered by a separate headrest foam insert.
  • Upper Seat Upholstery tucks OVER a spiked bar at the bottom of the backrest.

1973 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Highback seat with built-in curved headrest.
  • 1973 is the only year with this unique headrest design.
  • Headrest foam (under the upholstery) part of the seat foam padding.
  • Piping runs side -> to top -> to side.
  • Mounts on floor pan with 3 points. Center hump at front for seat slide & seat side rails for rear legs.
  • Sedan & Convertible use different rear seat upholstery.
  • Seat release (backrest tilt) located on upper backrest, facing the door side.
1973 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Backrest bars CONNECT across the top forming a curved headrest.
  • Unlike 1968-72 highback seat, the backrest springs go all the way to the top.
  • Upper Seat Upholstery tucks OVER a spiked bar at the bottom of the backrest.

1974-1976 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Highback seat with built-in rectangular headrest.
  • Headrest slightly tilt forward.
  • Headrest foam (under the upholstery) is a separate unit that slips over the seat foam padding.
  • Piping runs side -> to top -> to side.
  • Mounts on floor pan with 3 points. Center hump at front for seat slide & seat side rails for rear legs.
  • Sedan & Convertible use different rear seat upholstery.
  • Seat release (backrest tilt) located on upper backrest, facing the door side.

1974-1976 VW Beetle Seat Frame

  • Highback seat with detachable rectangular headrest.
  • Detachable headrest foam is not included with seat foam.
  • Piping runs front -> to back at the shoulders.
  • Mounts on floor pan with 3 points. Center hump at front for seat slide & seat side rails for rear legs.
  • Seat release (backrest tilt) located on upper backrest, facing the door side.

Note: It's not uncommon for previous owners to swap seat frames or modify their seats. Front seats can easily be exchanged with different years as long as the seat rails match. We've also seen multiple instances where a customer chops the headrest on their high-back seats frames to make custom low-back seat frames. If you are unsure what year seat frames are in your vehicle check the seat mount rails as this is a huge identifier to what seat frames are in your vehicle.