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Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:37 am

I have a couple of "Correct" questions on my Dec 52 Zwitter. The consensus and my research have come up with some quandries.

Since the D Regulator seems to have ended with the 8/52 models
a Zwitter shouldn't have a D Regulator. Correct? If not, what should
it have? A round one? I thought those were for 54-55 only.

Star Coil? When did those end?

T-Can Air Filter, people swear that's correct for a Zwitter, yet there's
two books I've found with "Zwitter" correct Air cleaners, I have one. The T-Can I thought ended with the 8/52 D-Regulator.

Since I'm trying to provide as vintage a vehicle as possible, I'm not going to worry about this too much. I have three books and on some points they agree, but in general they disagree. I'd just like to know so when I see something that I should have, I'd procure it and sell what I already have.

I'm just looking for opinions. Or maybe just get a 36 and slap a Judson on it... :twisted:

Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:51 am

No star coil. Those ended before the end of the dual glove box splits. The T-Can aircleaner is different for zwitters, but it should have one for sure.

I'm pretty sure a Zwitter still has the D Reg, not positive on that, but 80% sure.

Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:24 am

See, that's why I'm asking.

I see "Zwitter" aircleaners on thesamba, mine's dated 1/53 and it's one of
two "correct" ones, the other being the top strap mount. I've also seen zwitters with T-Cans on them. :?:

So, no Star Coil, good. :D

That's answered, the remaining quandry, D Regulator.

I guess that's why it's a bastard....

Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:29 am

I don't know the answers to your questions but there is a '53-only strap air cleaner. I assume this is Zwitter/Barndoor. It is different from the 54-55 strap air cleaner.

I have an extra '53 strap air cleaner if you end up needing one and I will beat any price posted on this site. Legitimate ads only. ;)

Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:34 am

I believe the D regulator is a matched set with the early "RED" 130 watt generator with the wide open cooling slots covered by the louvered band.

The round regulator uses the thin slot generator.

I am not sure on this but maybe if your generator is already "correct", that information will help narrow it down.

Or maybe now you need more parts...

Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:41 am

EverettB wrote: I believe the D regulator is a matched set with the early "RED" 130 watt generator with the wide open cooling slots covered by the louvered band.

The round regulator uses the thin slot generator.

I am not sure on this but maybe if your generator is already "correct", that information will help narrow it down.

Or maybe now you need more parts...

More parts, yikes... That's funny. Maybe my idea of a 36HP Judson wouldn't be so bad. That way, "the whole thing isn't correct."
:twisted:

I'm sure if I can look into Flat-4's two 52 Engine compartments (both Zwitters) that they have for sale, I'll see two different air cleaners and two different coils and two different regulators.

The OldBug 53 on the net, sold, has a T-Can.

As they say, parts is parts. Maybe I'll just go get an Empi Repop 1Inch Tall mesh air cleaner. I'll also grind down the stand and put a Motorola Alternator on it. I guess I'll have to do more research, but the net is very lacking on this subject material. Even the Vintage list archive isn't definitive. The DDPO of my car agonoized over this stuff, so it looks like I inherited his stress. I'm not looking for concours condition, just vintage and as correct as possible. Humm, mabe a Turbo 2110... But not without disk brakes and a 5 rib tranny.

:twisted:

Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:40 pm

my oct.52 had a T-air cleaner and a D regulater. had a black non star coil.

Fri Sep 10, 2004 3:16 am

I'm thinking that on the Zwits, VW said "We have a bunch of stuff
lying around, let's just throw it on the cars." So, the No Star confirms the other stuff, that's good. The D-Reg is disquieting. So, maybe some more research there.

Maybe the T-Can is correct? I was originally thinking not. :shock:

I've ordered a few restoration books on the subject, the one I currently have
for the Zwitter does show the T-Can. But this book is for "European Models." - Hey for $15 at a show for the book, I'm not complaining.

Well, at least it isn't as bad as my Volvo. I had to go to the Dealer for a new serpentine belt. Anyway to sell me one he had to know the VIN number, even though there's only three possible engines for that year. Seems they changed the belts three times that year for the same engine with the same accessories. $75 in the hole for a "fan belt." Why did I have to go to the dealer? That's what's happening in new cars, dealer only items. I've had to get air filters, brake pads and now serpentine belts from only one source, the dealer. So, vendor/dealer lock in is starting to become the norm. I'll be damn glad in 11 months when this lease is over.

Sat Sep 11, 2004 3:37 pm

i have a 53 oval built on may 12th. and it has a d-regulator and a t-can air filter. it does not have a star coil. i dont know if this matters or not but my birth certificate says it was delivered to kaiserslautern germany on the 13th so i dont think it was originally deliverd to the US. from what i have heard non export cars sometimes did not receive the same parts as export cars. although i cant be sure that these parts are correct for my car im gonna assume they are and not stress over it. well i hope this helps.

later

mt

Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:58 am

Definitely Thanks. I'm continuing the research, but any info helps.

I guess there's also "correct" and "presumed correct."

But, that's why they're "Zwitters."

Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:11 pm

My Canadian '53 oval has a "D" with the 130 genarator and the vent cover.and the '53 only strap over air cleaner. It is a October of '53 oval, 35,000 original miles and has never been changed. Hope that didn't confuse the issue. :?

Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:40 am

53 0val wrote: My Canadian '53 oval has a "D" with the 130 genarator and the vent cover.and the '53 only strap over air cleaner. It is a October of '53 oval, 35,000 original miles and has never been changed. Hope that didn't confuse the issue. :?

Yikes... Naw, it doesn't confuse it. The 53 strap over was 53 only right?
So, that style wouldn't be right for a Dec 52 I presume. So that at least focuses me back to a T-Can.

I'm still thinkin Judson 36... Then it's all good.

Wed Sep 15, 2004 9:19 am

Thought I'd let the "watchers" know. I just received two of my books this weekend. Interesting, my car isn't as bad off as I'd thought. Some of the obvious things I have to re-address, but basically still no engine details other than the "25, 30, 34, 36 DIN HP" stuff.

Oct 52 ...

15 Inch wheels, not 16s, gotm
Horn Grilles, gotm
Air Cleaner? Still up for debate
"D" regulator? Three books now indicate 8/52 as last for it.
Zwitter Strap Air Cleaner ? Still researching
T-Can Air Cleaneer ? Still researching
No Star Coil (w00t)

Rear Window Split Trim, 6 mos only , Zwitter

So, not as bad off as I thought..

Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:14 pm

There is a famous book now outa print that shows one day at the VW factory. It is dated April of 53 and all the cars have 25hp motors and "D" regulators with smooth semaphors. Bob Koch used that book to show that the smooth semaphor was correct for '53 ovals but not for '53 zwitters. Tough to argue against period and dated photoghaphs. If I find the book I'll scan some pictures for you. (I think it's in the attic somewhere)

' :? :?

Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:18 pm

There also is some contention about which wipers are correct for your car. (Thought I would mess with your mind a little. ) 8)

Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:46 pm

53 0val wrote: There also is some contention about which wipers are correct for your car. (Thought I would mess with your mind a little. ) 8)

Yeah, I appreciate that. :evil:

It's interesting, one of the books I received "Volkswagen Model Documentation" shows on PP 15 "Automobile production quckly got back up to speed by March 1950, monthly Volkswagen production had already risen to 6317 cars. In May, after production of the Type 2 started, 7000 vehicles were built."

Problem is picture is of the Wolfsburg paint shop with Zwitter bodies.

ROFLMAO

The other books I'm using are "VW Beetle" Authenticity series which unfortunately has very little engine detail. and "Original VW Beetle The Restorers guide to all european built production models 1945-78"

If you find the book, I'll snag it from you if your selling. Or if you can
get the title I can hunt it out an Amazon.

It's truly amazing how much little data there is for the oct 52-mar 53 zwits.
Other than, they were built.

Thanks.

Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:36 pm

You know you also have a zwitter only gas tank----so the 100mm cap won't work, If it does you have the wrong tank. :wink:

Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:41 pm

My '53 owners Instruction Manual (oval) show pictures of the motor with a "D" regulator as well. :wink:

Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:56 pm

53 0val wrote: You know you also have a zwitter only gas tank----so the 100mm cap won't work, If it does you have the wrong tank. :wink:

Si.. Small neck, Zwitter Tank. "Authenticity Series." 8)

Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:57 pm

53 0val wrote: My '53 owners Instruction Manual (oval) show pictures of the motor with a "D" regulator as well. :wink:

Must be a "MisPrint..."

Does yours have the crease in the tin under the fuel pump? Zwitter only
no crease on the 25HP.

Like I said before, Judson 36, then I don't worry about it anymore.

:D