Sources, methodology
and data provenance
IN2VWS is a reference database for Australian-assembled aircooled Volkswagens, built from primary source documents — original dealer advisory sheets, factory build records, and period accessory catalogues. This page documents where the data comes from and how it was compiled.
Clayton, Victoria — 1954 to 1976
All vehicles in this database were assembled at the Volkswagen Australasia plant in Clayton, Victoria. The plant operated from 1954 until 1976, producing Beetles, Kombis, Type 3s, and the unique Country Buggy for the Australian market.
Australian-assembled VWs frequently differ from their European counterparts in specification, colour availability, and option fitment. This database documents those differences rather than deferring to European factory records.
Original documents used in this database
Volkswagen Australia Paint Advisory Sheets
VW-AU-01Dulux Australia / BALM series — VW 10 (1972), VW 11 (1973), VW/Audi 15 (1978–79). Issued to VW dealers and panel shops. Dulon E-type Acrylic Lacquer codes with BALM reference numbers.
Spartan Paints Motor Producers Sheets
VW-AU-02Spartan Paints Pty. Ltd. refinish advisory sheets for VW, Audi, Datsun, and Volvo local-assembly vehicles. 1972–73 and 1974 editions. Spartan Supercryl system — no BALM codes, colour names only.
DUCO / BALM Paint Advisory Sheets
VW-AU-03Early-era Dulux Australia (BALM) sheets covering 286-series DUCO codes for Beetle and Bus. Issued to coachbuilders and dealers for touch-up and refinish work.
VW Australia Dealer Accessory Catalogues
VW-AU-04Original VW Australia dealer-issued accessory brochures listing genuine VW accessories available for the Australian market. Covers VW 1200 (Beetle) and VW 1500 (Type 3) fitments with part numbers and descriptions.
VW Australia Factory Build Records
VW-AU-05Chassis number range data cross-referenced from multiple sources including original build records, compliance plates, and the Volkswagen Werk Wolfsburg production archives as they relate to the Clayton assembly operation.
Clayton Assembly Plant Records
VW-AU-06Production and assembly documentation from the Clayton, Victoria plant operated by Volkswagen Australasia Pty. Ltd. The Clayton plant also assembled Datsun vehicles on the same line — shared paint charts are noted where applicable, with Datsun-only colours excluded from this database.
How the data was compiled
Australian-assembled only
This database covers vehicles assembled at the Clayton, Victoria plant. Fully imported vehicles are noted separately where they appear in shared advisory sheets (e.g. the 1978–79 VW/Audi 15 sheet which covers Golf, Passat, and Audi imports alongside local commercials).
Paint codes — source era matters
Three distinct paint supplier eras are represented: DUCO/BALM 286-series (1954–1962), Dulon E-type 4–5 digit codes (1963–1974), and Dulux 5-digit codes with VW L-codes (1978–79). Spartan Supercryl entries carry a SPARTAN- prefix as they have no BALM equivalent. Hex colour approximations are research estimates only — original paint chips are the authoritative reference.
Datsun-only colours excluded
The Clayton plant assembled both VW and Datsun vehicles, and some paint advisory sheets covered both marques. Colours confirmed as Datsun-only (Mikan Orange, Nathane Yellow, Shiba Green, Yoshihara Green) are excluded from this database.
M-code factory options
Factory option codes (M-codes) are sourced from original order documentation and factory build sheets. Australian-market options are flagged where they differ from European specification.
Data gaps
Known gaps exist in the paint code record: 1966 and 1975–1977 advisory sheets have not yet been located. These years are absent from the database rather than estimated. If you hold original source material for these periods, contributions are welcome.
Paint code data — missing years
The following years are absent from the paint codes database because the original advisory sheets have not yet been located. Data for these years has not been estimated or interpolated.
If you hold original Dulux, BALM, or Spartan advisory sheets for these years, contributions to the database are welcome.