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Mon Jun 16, 2003 4:52 pm

I know probably everybody out there knows what one is, but not me.
anybody help me?

Mon Jun 16, 2003 4:56 pm

A Zwitter was produced from October 52 to around mid-53. You can tell its a zwitter because it has the split rear windshield but the dash is that of an oval window car (instead of the dual gloveboxs of a regular split). Also has a lot of other Zwitter only parts.

Pretty rare cars and parts are hard to get since they were around for only 6 months.

Kevin

Mon Jun 16, 2003 4:56 pm

thanks, I appreciate the info.

JT

Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:49 pm

you may also hear zwitter's referred to as "oval-dash splits".

Wed Jun 18, 2003 1:10 pm

what does it mean? German word?

Wed Jun 18, 2003 1:12 pm

You may want to start a new thread and ask that question. I don't know if it is a German word or what. Sorry.

JT

Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:16 pm

Actually in German it means hermaphrodite, hybrid, or mongrel. In this case the zwitter is equal parts split and oval, or "brezel" und "ovali" (in German).

-Paul

Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:56 pm

It basically means bastard.

Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:26 am

my question is who gave it the zwitter name? Given the translation I would think the proud germans wouldn't want to demean their own car, so is this a case of the public giving it a nickname and it sticking? Or is the whole thing "lost in translation" and in germany the word doesn't have the negative implications that it has in the US?

Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:39 pm

Rick wrote: my question is who gave it the zwitter name? Given the translation I would think the proud germans wouldn't want to demean their own car, so is this a case of the public giving it a nickname and it sticking? Or is the whole thing "lost in translation" and in germany the word doesn't have the negative implications that it has in the US?

As far as I have been told, the "zwitter" name came about through an English VW Club in the 1970's. It is strickly a nickname given for these rare 6 month only cars as they are a combination of both spilt window and oval window beetles. I guess it stuck and we in the hobby have been using it ever since. I don't know if the germans refer to them as zwitter's or not.

Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:50 am

If you look at my picture postings you will see the South Afircan Zwitter
Oval dash, deluxe kit and split window. Running SA SP 14" rims (relatively rare) not my favourite but have pressed rims awaiting some time and paint.

Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:46 am

"As far as I have been told, the "zwitter" name came about through an English VW Club in the 1970's. It is strickly a nickname given for these rare 6 month only cars as they are a combination of both spilt window and oval window beetles. I guess it stuck and we in the hobby have been using it ever since. I don't know if the germans refer to them as zwitter's or not."

Sounds logical. I also do not know if VW fans in Germany refer to these as a Zwitter. That word is a legitimate word in general German vocabulary. I have not spent enough time around the vintage VW gurus in Germany to remember what they called them; in general though, as mentioned above, in the German language, a split-window is known as a "Brezel", or "Brezelfenster". That includes all built from '38 thru March '53.

Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:38 pm

Now that I know what they are there are 2 in a junkyard about 50 miles from me, however the proprieter will not let them go - although they have been turning into rust for the past 15 years I've been going there - I was just there last week, and he has piled so much metal crap on them - it's very sad. don't understand his thinking at all

matt s

Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:11 pm

Most likely going to restore them someday. :roll:

Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:00 pm

kinda like the vintage vw club of america's designation of a group of beetles is called a "chuffle" of beetles. 8)

Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:49 am

A cheap looking split? :wink: :lol:

Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:38 am

passoa55 wrote: A cheap looking split? :wink: :lol:

You could look at it as an "unrefined" oval. :D

Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:10 pm

mr matt i was wondering if u could say where the junk yard is ... im looking for some parts for my zwitter ... if the guy wont sell the cars maybe he will sell the parts ... if wanna get ahold of me directly u can e mail me ... VWwitch@aol.com

Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:18 pm

yeah i could use a speedometer from one...

Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:39 pm

passoa55 wrote: A cheap looking split? :wink: :lol:

No, best looking split :wink: