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Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:19 am

I have a Nov 52 Zwitter that is on a 61 pan that I want to find a correct 52 pan for. I've found a 52 pan, not sure of the month, but the catch is the beetle, whose body is gone, was in a garage fire and I'm not sure if the pan is worth a damn. Meaning the guy wants $1500 for the pan and I don't even know if it is straight and not all warped from the fire.

So my question is should I or should I not get the pan and if so is it worth the price he wants?

Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:28 am

Well if your not sure and have no pictures for referance or someone local that you can trust to look at it I would pass. You mention that it may have been in a fire. If so definetly pass. Without checking it in person your leaving yourself open for disappointment.

Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:42 am

Pass.

Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:03 pm

Oh it was definatley in a fire. The tansaxle is all cooked around the frame horns, tires all melted with steel belts showing. I have seen the pan in person but can't tell if it is straight by eyeballing it. I figured the magnesium could be cleaned from the frame horns and the pan stripped down, blasted, and possibly put on a frame machine, but then again I don't know. These things are not getting any easier to find, especially as just a pan.

I heard a rumor that Wolfsburg West had some early VW "replacement pans" for sale. Is this BS or is there some truth to this?

Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:05 pm

The main part of the tunnel, or the frame head could now be slightly twisted, I would pass. You might have troubles that you will never quite be able to address.

Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:09 pm

If it got hot enough to melt down the tranny, I would pass. $150 maybe... not $1500. Too many dreamers out there.....

Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:22 pm

johnshenry wrote: If it got hot enough to melt down the tranny, I would pass. $150 maybe... not $1500. Too many dreamers out there.....

Too true!!

Considering that Magnesium Burns at 2500 Kelvin (4000 F).. I doubt the pan, frame horns etc could have survived very well.. at the very least they have sustained some severe heat related stressing... DEFINITELY Pass!!

Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:56 pm

Sounds like you want it but know you shouldn't get it.

Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:37 pm

Sounds like a unanimous opinion so I will have to pass.

So what would a good recommendation be for my restoration in the absence of the correct pan. Continue the search or just use a more correct pan than the one I've got cause the 61 pan doesn't even line up with all the bolt holes.

Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:26 pm

should not be much of a problem to find a Zwitter frame, should also be cheap if you dont need a title with it, I have 2 1954 Beetles and just noticed that the earlier one has no holes in the rear frame cast iron parts with the upper shock mounts, the newer one is a few months later and has the holes in the cast iron like later cars, I'm sure any mid 54 and earlier frame would do, if you don't need a title I would think under $500 should buy you an early rolling chassis here, cheaper if you can settle for a later oval pan which will fit and be much easier to find, as far as I have noticed the only difference between a July 55 chassis and a Nov 52 would be the lack of holes in the rear shock castings, the 55 chassis will still accept early seats and have the heater knob behind the park brake handle

Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:14 pm

Hey thanks for that great info. I do know a guy with some Ovals Beetles and will have to see what he wants for a pan. But I'm not holding my breath, this is the same guy with the $1500 burnt POS pan and who would rather let the stuff rot in the field than sell it for a decent price.