TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:55 pm

I can only assume most RHD splits were build out of CDK kits in Ireland and South Africa. As such there are a few questions:

- Were there RHD new dash panels available at the same time as the Wolfsburg factory moved to the production of the zwitter model? I.e. building a RHD split window beetle requires very little special parts and no specific body parts. Did the factory have means of pressing a RHD zwitter dash the day the production of the zwitter started in Germany? If not then there might still have been CDK splits build while the factory was already building zwitters.

- As the numbers of RHD build in Ireland and South Africa were relatively small how were CDKs packed? CDKs were not boxed per car. The panels and parts for many beetles were packed and shipped in the most economic fashion. Based on this consider the following 2 points:
- As such having special requests as a ragtop would be a relatively big task. Not just to ensure a single roof section with ragtop session was shipped, but also all the other ragtop bits and pieces (including headliner) and workers in the factories outside Germany would have to assemble this (not doing this as part of their regular work).
- As such it's likely that large number of dash pressings where already on it's way to the factories outside Germany. This means that even if from day one a RHD zwitter dash was available it would need to be shipped and arrive in the factories. Simiarly a "special ordered" ragtop would take long time to arrive from Germany.

- Consider the whether in Ireland. You do not require a ragtop and it's unlikely that anyone would wait the extra time and pay for the extra option (most likely relatively more expensive option if already available then for Wolfsburg produced cars).

- So the question most likely is, how many RHD zwitters did Wolfsburg build? And were any of these with a ragtop? I.e. delivered as part of the Tourist Delivery Program and / or export to countries that did not have a VW plant.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:01 pm

53 0val wrote: billb wrote: I was just "taking the piss" as the English would say. It is a photoshop job. :)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=447122

Well you pissed on yourself. It didn't fool anybody in here. :wink:

I didn't think it would fool anyone. I thought some of you would get a laugh out of it after this ongoing debate.

You all have a nice holiday weekend.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:39 pm

:D You too Bill.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:51 pm

melville wrote: I"m thinking in the 80s a guy named Supanich (sp?) in Marin County had more than one that met that description, but like Bob, I'm not clear whether they started out that way.

i know shaun ( soup and sandwich) he made plenty of home made rhd 3 folds. as well as a rhd 56? single cab he made .
he did a lot of those in the 80's. he was in san mateo county. he now lives in san francisco. and is into vanagons. he has a vanagon crew cab that WAS rhd and he chaged it to LHD!? :shock: at this point i think he lost his mind.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:19 pm

They made sales brochures for type 3 and ghia convertibles but never produced them. I think it is possible that they exist , but I would still like to see the proof. :shock:

Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:47 pm

Prototype 1961 Notchback Cabriolet: VW planned to offer the 4-seater Notchback Cabriolet but the program was shelved in 1961 and never went into production. However, there were 16 prototypes built by Karmann for testing & promotions. And there were a couple sales brochures that featured this prototype as well. There are two known to exist in Germany: the Pearl White one at the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg and this red one at the Karmann Museum in Osnabruck.

My favorite would have been this:

Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:31 pm

rcraigbug wrote: They made sales brochures for type 3 and ghia convertibles but never produced them. I think it is possible that they exist , but I would still like to see the proof. :shock:
They built both. I have seen a Red Notchback Convertible in person and the various Type 34 convertibles in photos.

Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:23 am

Shaun losing his mind...no way...He installed a ragtop in my rhd bug back in 92 and it held up forever...white boy has skillz.....Kyle mr rhd

Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:41 pm

56OvalRHD wrote: Well, that's a tough one. I've got a book covering Australia and it only mentions 33 RHD Ovals that were sent there. I'd have to think that the RHD market was pretty new in 1953. Instead of the question being "Prove they don't exist" I'd ask the same question, show me some pics of real RHD Zwitters. I'm also curious about this question..... not converted, REAL 8)

if your question RHD Zwitter, I had one and no CKD , the ragtop zwitter I never seen one.

Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:53 pm

surfindo wrote: 56OvalRHD wrote: Well, that's a tough one. I've got a book covering Australia and it only mentions 33 RHD Ovals that were sent there. I'd have to think that the RHD market was pretty new in 1953. Instead of the question being "Prove they don't exist" I'd ask the same question, show me some pics of real RHD Zwitters. I'm also curious about this question..... not converted, REAL 8)

if your question RHD Zwitter, I had one and no CKD , the ragtop zwitter I never seen one.

OWNED.

Could you update the registry with your info?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283587

If that car exists, there is NO REASON why a sunroof couldn't have existed....

Thanks for the info!

Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:32 am

Irish RHD Zwitter. Supplied in CKD form.

Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:35 am

Here you go...

Definitely not real. I'd guess not a Zwitter or a Ragtop to start with either.

Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:37 am

Damn, the one of a kind RHD, crotch cooled sunroof zwitter!

Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:30 pm

Sorry to burst your bubble, and maybe I'm wrong but if that was an original dash zwitter the ashtray is all wrong. Shouldn't have chrome trim or a pull handle?????? 8)

Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:54 pm

mr. warehouse wrote: Here you go...

Definitely not real. I'd guess not a Zwitter or a Ragtop to start with either.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking about.

56OvalRHD: It's FAKE FAKE FAKE. Cool nonetheless.

Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:09 pm

is that the bug they used to call Bannanna Split in the early 90's

Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:12 pm

mr. warehouse wrote:

Definitely not real. I'd guess not a Zwitter or a Ragtop to start with either.

the starter button looks like it is too low too

Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:16 pm

I could be wrong, but I believe that's the wrong interior. 8)

Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:16 pm

And the wheel is questionable :D :D

I agree 100%, still a cool car... however we ARE looking for an OG example. At least I thought we were :D

Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:26 pm

56OvalRHD wrote: And the wheel is questionable :D :D

I agree 100%, still a cool car... however we ARE looking for an OG example. At least I thought we were :D

Yes we are / were.
I just had to throw it out there since it has just about every "option" under the sun. Zwitter, RHD, 3 fold, crotch coolers, fuchs, chromed out engine, honda seats, gt wheel, etc.