The 69 still had the1500 cc SP motor. 1600 first appeared in the 70.

Had a generator.

VWs have been negative ground forever. That car had few electronics to fry, so having the battery connected backwards shouldn't have ruined anything but the radio. Does the generator seem to be charging? If it is, it's polarity has gotten reversed and you may have to repolarize it.
Polarizing Your Generator

I can't understand how you would get -12 volts anywhere except by connecting the + (red) probe of the meter to something that is connected to the - post of the battery, and connecting the - probe to something connected to the + battery terminal.

vw's have starters?????????????????????????

why did we always have to push mine???????????:p

not much to fry in a bug. regulator, radio, thats about it.

the speedo was still a cable to left front wheel.

Isn't the voltage regulator mounted under the seat right next to the battery? Had a flap of cardboard over it to protect it from shorting out. Is negative hooked to these terminals as well? I had a few of these as well back in the day.
Just trying to remember but I think thats right.

Now THAT'S funny!

regulator should be on top of the generator. If it has an alternator it's integrated.

IIRC, 12v cars had the regulator mounted remotely.

Here is a 72 Should be much the same: Pay no attention to the red ground cable!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/9a2d6843.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/d056241b.jpg

Then why did I always have to park on a hill?

because it aspired to be a 914

Now looking at that batt, it is hooked up correctly. Note the 3 holes over the one post. That is for a B+ cover. the B- doesn't have a cover because it isn't required.

I thought the batteries slid along the ground under the car.

The cables went thru the hole in the floor.