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Sat Mar 15, 2003 5:34 pm

On the grab handles, the one on the dash and the one behind the passenger seat, I have seen three reproductions available. They are all silver beige but one has chrome ends, one has grey ends and one has black ends. Which went where?

Sat Mar 15, 2003 8:14 pm

I'll take a stab at it:

chrome: 62,63
silver beige: 64,65
Black: 66,67

How's that sound to the "Stock Nazis"?

Sat Mar 15, 2003 9:12 pm

The grab handle on my 62 crewcabs all had black ends. Could the black ones be for commercials?

Sun Mar 16, 2003 8:28 am

I don't know the answer to this one, but look at the 'original' '63 15 window that is for sale here on The Samba. Could be the photo, but I'm seeing black bases...

http://thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/120961.jpg

Sun Mar 16, 2003 9:25 am

Maybe the difference is between deluxe's and non deluxe. My '64 had the white handle bases.

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:08 am

It matters what year and model car it's in. What exactly are you driving?

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:12 am

1963 Deluxe.

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:15 am

Easy, it should be a ivory plastic "extruded" grip handle with small chrome ends. Anything with black ends is either late model or aftermarket/replacement.

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:23 am

Are there any aftermarket replacements with "ivory and chrome ends"?

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:27 am

I can't say for sure but it is *possible* that a guy named Mark Adair had some with ivory ends. He is usually out at the OCTO meets and larger California shows, I don't have any contact info for him. I'm almost certain that all of the aftermarket parts companies out there have them with black ends which look like crap on deluxes as they just don't match anything and anyone who knows what's supposed to be there knows better. Very small detail though...

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:33 am

As for any replacements with chrome ends, I've never seen one...

Sun Mar 16, 2003 11:37 am

I've never seen an ivory replacement handle. They all are silver gray.

Sun Mar 16, 2003 2:03 pm

The PO on my '63 deluxe painted the whole handle and their bases with ivory paint probably because he couldn't find replacements. I can see the "gray" base through the chipped paint. Don't know if these were the originals. Something I'll live with until something 'better' comes along.

Sun Mar 16, 2003 5:07 pm

I bought silver beige bases which came with my repro handles from Wolfsburg West for my '64 deluxe. Here is a photo:

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/63577.jpg

And the WW site:
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg/interior/bus_interior/misc_bus.htm

Sun Mar 16, 2003 6:27 pm

Check out this original looking interior on this "needs a lot of work" '63 23 window on EBay. The grab handles both have black bases...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...moredetail

Sun Mar 16, 2003 6:32 pm

I pulled grab handles from the dash and partition of an all og 63 standard in a yard, both had black bases.

Sun Mar 16, 2003 8:52 pm

DELUXES HAD CHROME BASES FOR SURE BUT MY 63 CREW HAS OFF WHITE BASES

Sun Mar 16, 2003 8:58 pm

Based on these photos, and the original buses I have personally seen, there must be a mixture of base colors used. Unless someone proves to me otherwise, I would say that either would be correct.
Oh, and that ebay listing for the 23 window follows the "picture quality is closely linked to bus quality" rule. It never seems that people who have rusty buses can get their hands on a good digital camera. Amazing.

Mon Mar 17, 2003 8:23 am

I emailed the seller of the 'original' 15 window deluxe mentioned above, and he said that both grab handles are the originals and they have black bases. Chrome, black, gray? I think we need to find a photo of an original VW ad that shows the handle. I went on West Coast Classics website and looked at all the restorations on there, some of which had before photos of what may be the the original dash components and the only chrome bases were on a 1958. Almost all the restorations had black bases. There was one with the gray.

Mon Mar 17, 2003 10:55 am

A good friend of mine has a low mileage, all original 1960 23 and it has a ivory handle with chrome bases.