TheSamba.com :: View topic - First Oval in my shop-----

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:27 pm

-----and I have a few questions. The pan Vin. is 1-0840078 and the body badge in the wheel well is 1348658 and a stamped number below that on the sheet metal is 748876.

I believe that I have a Nov.'56 body on a Mar.'55 pan. Does that sound right (not RIGHT right,but accurate)?? Is there anything I can look for to make sure what year body it is??

As you can see it's a 3-fold (not welded in) sunroof Deluxe. The turn signals are there because of an early '70's inspection law not allowing Semaphores.

With the car I got all NOS fenders and hood, NOS floor pans, 3-36 horse engines, new sunroof cover, NOS US bumpers and a garage full of assorted VW goodies. The only things missing is the Semaphores and left rear tail light mounting frame. All these parts were bought in the mid '70's.

Any help you guy's can send my way will be greatly appreciated. My first car was a '63 bought new in '63 and I've been with a VW ever since, just not an Oval. It seem to be a pretty stable car.

Jody

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:30 pm

Not sure what to tell you other than I know it can't be a '56 if the 3-fold isn't grafted in. Cool color though.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:32 pm

748876 is a Feb-March '55 body number.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:35 pm

Look closely at the last pic and you can see the ribbed doors--' 55

Steering wheel is later oval....and the horn button is 60's.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:25 pm

Lid, ok, I said 3-fold, could it be something other ?? I mean there's no fabric for me to really tell.

Ovalteen, ribbed doors ?? Not real sure what I'm suppose to be looking at.

mbugz, that number is stamped on the body panel between the two placards in the wheel well. Same conclusion ?? SWEET !!! Could be the top placard just might be from another car ??

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:29 pm

OH, ovalteen, the rib's you see on the passenger door?? Sorry, ahhh that's wood paneling that the P-PO installed. I have the OG stuff (bad shape).

Jody

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:32 pm

No jody, there is a "rib" or a "flare" around the panel (steel pressing) that was only '55 and earlier. You can see it in the pic.

I see you are from Goose Creek. I went to RB Stall HS and graduated in '80. Lived in SC until '86, graduated from Clemson (eventually).

Used to run up old highway 52 quite a bit. I'm sure there still some beer bottle back in the woods around there left from me and my buds.....

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:33 pm

mbugz, here's where that number came from.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Hey Johnshenry, I'll have to go look at it close up later.

I graduated from Berkeley HS. in '68. Goose creek High was a year behind me that's why I had to go all the way up there along with a lot of other Military Brats from here.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:48 pm

OK John, I went and looked, NOW I see what you mean by the rib on the door's. That's not on my '66 or others. Hadn't noticed that before. Thanks.

Jody

Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:48 pm

jody714 wrote: mbugz, here's where that number came from.

That is the body number.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:14 pm

Thanks Mike. I just went over to the VIN numbers and found where you got that number from. That had me going for awhile. So the numbers on the badge above the body stamp are possibly from another car ?? The ones on my '66's match the frame number, that's why I got confused.

Jody

Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:53 am

It looks to me like you have a 55 three fold. You can also look at the latching mech. in the door as they should be different from a 56 and 57. Also there are small differences in the hood and engine bonnet as well. Just a bit of advice dont throw anything away. 55 parts can be very hard to find. You have a good start from what I can see compared to the shape my car was in.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:56 am

Thanks T*RAV, I dont plan to get rid of ANYTHING until it's done !!! Already got offers to buy some sheet metal !! He gave me ALL of his stored up VW stuff too. 3 truck loads full so far and going through the boxes I'm finding some real jewels. I'll put up a picture of a flip type rear view mirror I found in one box. Rebuild kits for 36 horse fuel pumps, 28 PCT carbs, lots of '66 stuff too. Now that I found out that it IS a '55 I'm just getting things in place to get started on it !!!

Jody

Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:12 pm

That pic showing the left rear fender, you can see the original holes for an early tail light, smaller than the snowflakes on it..plus the hole pattern is more for egg or hearts correct? Just throwing pennies..

Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:12 pm

Ray, I dont know on your assessment on the taillights. I'm trying to find out myself. That's what came on it. Might need to check a little further now that I know that it's a May '55 car. Thanks.

Jody

Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:17 pm

By the looks of that one picture you can tell the divers side of the car would have had the different style taillights. I cant tell you if it would have been a egg or a heart, but they should not be what is on the car. They need to be mounted much lower where those for holes are that form a diamond. The car should not have the American style bumpers on it either. You should have the euro style bumpers. It looks like the same conversion that was done to my car to make it US legal.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:04 pm

Well here are the fenders in question

Now the right fender has just 3 holes behind the light and the left fender has 7 !!! I see a triangle of 3 that you talking about at the bottom of the group. Could be for the other kind of lights??

Jody

Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:15 pm

T*RAV wrote: By the looks of that one picture you can tell the divers side of the car would have had the different style taillights. I cant tell you if it would have been a egg or a heart, but they should not be what is on the car. They need to be mounted much lower where those for holes are that form a diamond. The car should not have the American style bumpers on it either. You should have the euro style bumpers. It looks like the same conversion that was done to my car to make it US legal.

OK, now I see what your talking about. Yeah, it's very clear. Should be smaller and lower and Euro's to SEE them !!!

Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:28 pm

Since your unfimilar with everything on the car you should sell it to me

also your rear apron has been cut out ...wha t does the spare tire well look like ?