TheSamba.com :: View topic - First split delivered to the US still in CT VW dealership?

Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:48 am

Was talking with some friends at a local bike shop over the weekend, one mentioned that the first US import split (was told its a 49 deluxe) was brought into the first US "dealership" in New Milford CT. Out of curiosity I tried to see if there was any truth to this, and my eye caught pics of what looks to be a black split still on their showroom floor. Theres enough views to tell it should be a split, but no mention of that car elsewhere on their website, check out the link:

http://www.nmvw.com/sales.htm

Wondering if any folks in CT have seen this car or know anything about it? Am planning to stop in and see this car after the first CT VW show in June, would be interesting to look that one over.

Gary

Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:50 am

Oops, missed the fact it has vent wing door windows, so unless those were put on later at a minimum its a 53, still interested to know if its history though.

Gary

Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:57 am

Doesn't Bill Collins have the first split brought into New England? :?

Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:57 am

Just shot the owner of the dealership an email asking for more details about the car. Guess we will see whats up if and when he answers me.

Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:57 am

I thought the first split was delivered to the Hoffman dealership in NEW YORK :?

Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:31 am

I pass by that dealer every other weekend, and know the car you have seen. It is a '55 or '56 (oval window) in totally original condition, which was imported from Scandinavia over 15 years ago. A local VW fan named Garth worked at the dealer for years (decades, actually) as Parts Mgr and sometimes took this car out to local VW shows. It is in stunning to examine in person! Since non-US cars had semaphores, this one had been converted to blinkers and the semaphore holes covered with "chromed blank-out" plates.

Also, the first "official" US-sent car was indeed a '49, but it was brought into the country aboard a ship by the Dutch importer Ben Pon. He drove that car around certain parts of the US to show to prospective dealers, but he sold the car after a few weeks to finance his stay...

Although I have not referred to their website which you posted, New Milford VW is one of the oldest continually-operating VW dealers in the country. They still have their large blue/white VW "lollipop" stored in a side room, and they remain VW-only. Did you also see their excellent mid'60's green dual-cab pickup (with canopy!) in the store, usually parked in a side room?

Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:58 pm

New Milford VW is one excellent dealership! When the engine blew in my 62 Kombi, I had to leave it in their parking lot overnight (I was on the way back from a show). Came back the next day for it and they were very nice people and showed me around. The black Bug in the showroom is a beautiful 56. They have even saved all the aircooled specialty tools in a wooden cabinet in the recon bay, I think. If you're ever in the area you should stop by there, it's a great place, I wish all dealerships were like that these days.

Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:35 am

Just got to work this morning and this is the email reply I recieved from the owner of the dealership

"It is a 1955, which by coincidence only is the year that VW of America was founded. This dealership started selling VW’s in may of 1950 which makes this the oldest vw location in the us. The car was originally from Sweden. It was purchased by the dealership in 1982 and has been stored in the showroom since. It has approximately 40, 000 miles and is in un-restored condition. There is a local gentleman who was the parts manager here for several years now retired that has one of the oldest, if not the oldest beetle in the US. His is a 1946. Thanks for your interest."

Pretty cool if I do say so myself

Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:07 am

biggene wrote: .... There is a local gentleman who was the parts manager here for several years now retired that has one of the oldest, if not the oldest beetle in the US. His is a 1946....

Now you'll have to email the parts manager and inform him the bad news about his car not being the oldest in the US.

Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:59 pm

I guess it's okay since they only said "one of" the oldest. :D

Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:56 pm

RareAir wrote: biggene wrote: .... There is a local gentleman who was the parts manager here for several years now retired that has one of the oldest, if not the oldest beetle in the US. His is a 1946....

Now you'll have to email the parts manager and inform him the bad news about his car not being the oldest in the US.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:24 am

Wow, great info all, worth a stop in this June to that dealer, interesting there is a 46 in CT someplace too, maybe during the visit I'll try to get a lead on that 46 just to try and see it sometime, will provide an update later on....
Gary

Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:56 am

Gary, I know that John Henry has seen the former parts manager's '46 in person, and knows it and the owner reasonably well. Both people participated in a Foliage Tour from the CT VW Assoc. about 4 years ago where both cars were driven. John was in his recently finished oval; it may even have been its premier trip. Tour started out on Bantam Lake in CT, went past New Milford, then stopped Kent Falls State Park, and at the wooden covered bridge in Cornwall Bridge. Ended up at Bantam Lake where many of the group had dinner at a German restaurant. That '46 is black and has some unusual round taillights on it, with a different housing than others from that era.

Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:00 am

I recall that cruise Rome, and yes, that was my '57 inaugural outing (good memory!!), it was in 1999. Didn't that car have that big wind up key on it too? Or was that your old split? I think the guys name was "Garth" or something like that. I did speak to him then, but can't say I "know him reasonably well'....

JH

Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:17 pm

Oh man John, how time flies- '99! Yes, the '46 is Garth's. Since he has driven the car to many local VW meets which you had also attended, I thought you would have had more interaction. It was his car that had the wind-up key. I sold my split in early '02.

Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:03 pm

The black "46" that goes to shows in Ct is a a fake.
I dont think the owner know this as he was riped off by a guy out in Wasington state that sold him the car and no one has ever had the hart to tell him. I hope he is not on the samba and reading this.
I looked it over good when I had my 47 next to it pan was a 55 ,engine 49.
Body had deluxe headliner factory welded in side crimp tags only a post 49 deluxe would have this.
the only thing from 46 was a bill of sale but the id on the car said 55??
Reserver level was centered not not offset.
clove boxs were card board not metel ect.
Gas tank area was badly modifed with a cut down oval tank.
There were at least another 25 small details that were post split on the body.
When the painted heated up in the sun you could see spot welds above split window and welding trim hols .After looking it over I'm real shure it started life as a 55 with only the engine and bill of sale from the 40's.
Even the bumper and tail lights were not even close looking.
Anyone have picks of the car ? We could have fun trying to find correct parts from the 40's if any.

Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:35 pm

jmp@ncounty.net wrote: The black "46" that goes to shows in Ct is a a fake.
I dont think the owner know this as he was riped off by a guy out in Wasington state that sold him the car and no one has ever had the hart to tell him. I hope he is not on the samba and reading this.
I looked it over good when I had my 47 next to it pan was a 55 ,engine 49.
Body had deluxe headliner factory welded in side crimp tags only a post 49 deluxe would have this.
the only thing from 46 was a bill of sale but the id on the car said 55??
Reserver level was centered not not offset.
clove boxs were card board not metel ect.
Gas tank area was badly modifed with a cut down oval tank.
There were at least another 25 small details that were post split on the body.
When the painted heated up in the sun you could see spot welds above split window and welding trim hols .After looking it over I'm real shure it started life as a 55 with only the engine and bill of sale from the 40's.
Even the bumper and tail lights were not even close looking.
Anyone have picks of the car ? We could have fun trying to find correct parts from the 40's if any.

I have been told that as well......not in that detail, but was told the car was "put together" from other cars. I think it is pretty well known. :oops:

Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:31 am

Yeah, now I remember that Jim. I don't think I have any pics of the car. Haven't seen it around recently either.

Jim did you get my e-mail a while back about your '47?

Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:24 am

John,
I never got your email about 47 .
If you used jmp@ncounty.net that no longer works.
Use jpmoss2nospam@netzero.com.

rember to remove the "nospam"