TheSamba.com :: View topic - Found an Oval here in NY I think it is a 1955

Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:50 pm

Hey guys,

I just came across an oval bug here in my town and I am thinking of getting it. The guy doesn't know what year it is. I have the vin number, from the tunnel 1-0773047. I look it up, I think it is a 1955 bug. It has semaphores and a single exhaust with I believe the 36hp engine. I looked under technical on this site and saw the vins. I don't think it is a 56 because of the 1 tailpipe.

I have restored a 57 before, parts were still pretty much available, is it the same for a 55?

The channels are shot on this bug but the floors seem ok. Do they make channels the same as these years with the heater outlet way upfront? Does 55 have the same tail light housings as a 57?

Also, another biggie here, no paperwork. NY is pretty strict with things, what can I do to get title/reg?

Regards,

Chris

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:30 pm

How much can you get the car for? Also the '55's are supposed to have a one year only taillight iv'e heard. Parts are going to be a little harder to find.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:36 pm

Well, I think I can get the car for about 500 bucks. Are you sure about the tail lights? I thought they were the same from 55 to 61. Please let me know,

Chris

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:41 pm

I couldn't find any complete '55 tailights in the classifieds but here are the one year only lenses http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=419340

But the later '55 might have used the same taillights as the '56-61

For $500 thats a great deal even if its missing some parts. If it has a good w decklid you could probably get $300 out of that alone.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:43 pm

cvallone wrote: Hey guys,

I just came across an oval bug here in my town and I am thinking of getting it. The guy doesn't know what year it is. I have the vin number, from the tunnel 1-0773047. I look it up, I think it is a 1955 bug.
Dec of 1954 - It's a '54 Model Year.

Quote: It has semaphores and a single exhaust with I believe the 36hp engine. I looked under technical on this site and saw the vins. I don't think it is a 56 because of the 1 tailpipe.
1 tailpipe would be correct for a '54.

Quote: I have restored a 57 before, parts were still pretty much available, is it the same for a 55?
They are a little harder to come by, since the production numbers/survivors are less than '56/'57. Just cost a little more, at least in my experience.

Quote: The channels are shot on this bug but the floors seem ok. Do they make channels the same as these years with the heater outlet way upfront? Does 55 have the same tail light housings as a 57?
There is talk of the correct channels for pre-55 Beetles being re-manufactured soon. A '54 should have Heart Taillights.

Quote: Also, another biggie here, no paperwork. NY is pretty strict with things, what can I do to get title/reg?

Regards,

Chris
Do you at least have a Bill of sale? It will help get a registration/Title I'm sure. However, I would defer to Samba members from NY for this kind of advice...

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:50 pm

David wrote: cvallone wrote: Does 55 have the same tail light housings as a 57?
A '54 should have Heart Taillights.

[-X Not a car manufactured as late as Dec 1954. Oct 1954-April 1955 used the "egg" light. Then in May, tailights were enlarged (aka "snokflake" taillight) and those were used until July 1961.

Oct 1952-Sept 1954 cars used "Heart" lights

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:51 pm

Dave rock on thanks for all the info. Where did you find the VIN# to be correct?? I looked on samba and it seemed to be a 55.

Yeah and NYS is real tough when it comes to reg and title. Many states you can just walk in with a bill of sale but NYS you can't.

Awesome,

Chris

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:54 pm

cvallone wrote: Where did you find the VIN# to be correct?? I looked on samba and it seemed to be a 55.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

The VIN listed in each month is the LAST production of the month.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:58 pm

I don't see it. Forgive me but I see the VIN on DEC 54 to be 781 884. My VIN is 1-0773047. Am I looking in the wrong spot?

Chris

Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:04 pm

RareAir wrote: David wrote: cvallone wrote: Does 55 have the same tail light housings as a 57?
A '54 should have Heart Taillights.

[-X Not a car manufactured as late as Dec 1954. Oct 1954-April 1955 used the "egg" light. Then in May, tailights were enlarged (aka "snokflake" taillight) and those were used until July 1961.

Oct 1952-Sept 1954 cars used "Heart" lights

Oh gawd, and here I was thinking I needed to get Hearts for my Oct '54 car...

Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:09 pm

cvallone wrote: I don't see it. Forgive me but I see the VIN on DEC 54 to be 781 884. My VIN is 1-0773047. Am I looking in the wrong spot?

Chris

Your number falls between the last # built in Nov (761 706) and the last # for the month of Dec, which means it was built (or at least stamped) between Dec 1 and Dec 31st.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:31 pm

so what does the 1-0 mean on the vin at the start of the number?

cv

Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:32 pm

cvallone wrote: so what does the 1-0 mean on the vin at the start of the number?

cv

oops, drop the leading 1-0 and just look at the last 6 #'s

Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:39 pm

ah! there you go!

cv

Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:33 pm

cvallone wrote: so what does the 1-0 mean on the vin at the start of the number?

cv

The 1-0 was used by VW because they had yet to build 1 Million cars. Then in early Aug 1955 (1956 production) the millionth Beetle was produced, VW dropped the 1-0 and began 1xxxxxx on the VIN :wink:

Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:23 am

Ok cool I was wondering, I have 58 rag and I was like uh oh, is my VIN right now???

hehehe

Thanks

Chris

Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:57 am

David wrote: RareAir wrote: David wrote: cvallone wrote: Does 55 have the same tail light housings as a 57?
A '54 should have Heart Taillights.

[-X Not a car manufactured as late as Dec 1954. Oct 1954-April 1955 used the "egg" light. Then in May, tailights were enlarged (aka "snokflake" taillight) and those were used until July 1961.

Oct 1952-Sept 1954 cars used "Heart" lights

Oh gawd, and here I was thinking I needed to get Hearts for my Oct '54 car...

Hearts are easier to find that eggs IMO....

Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:41 pm

The title can easily be obtained from any title company that titles 'old' cars. I have used Broadway Title Company at least 4 times with perfect results. It only cost about $150 and it works flawlessly.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:06 pm

I'd be careful with that, its not exactly legal.

Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:20 am

RareAir wrote: The 1-0 was used by VW because they had yet to build 1 Million cars. Then in early Aug 1955 (1956 production) the millionth Beetle was produced, VW dropped the 1-0 and began 1xxxxxx on the VIN :wink: My Oct 55 Beetle has got the '1-0'.
'Progressive Refinements' has the '1-0' discontinued on chassis number 1 060 930 on 30 Dec 1955.