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Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:21 pm

I know that my oval rag was built in sept/oct of 1956, which places it in the 1957 model year...so, what is it? I mean, it was born in 56' but it's a 57' model. I'm looking for pure opinion...Do I have a 56' or a 57'?

Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:25 pm

Well you dont have much to go on but I can tell you this... The 56 was a one year only ragtop being it was a little smaller then 57.
up to 55 came the 3 fold, 56 was a one year only size and 57 on was bigger but not a 3 fold. Hope that helps.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:28 pm

Yeah, I know about the rag. It's got a 57-up rag on it. I'm not looking for expert advice...in fact I don't even really care what year it is, I'll love it just the same. All I'm looking for is pure unmitigated opinion. If it were your bug, would you consider it a 56 or a 57? WOuld you go by build date or model year. I know that logically, it's a 57...so basically this thread is worthless. Sorry everyone.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:29 pm

Just make it a 56/57 and get some sleep!

Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:54 pm

Just like Detroit does now, VW started making the 57 models in mid 56, so that means that it is a 57 built in 1956.

In my opinion you have a 57.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:20 pm

post a pic of the heater chanel vents and we can tell you.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:44 pm

made after august 56 = 57 model.

imho, you have a 57. :D

Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:51 pm

Skim wrote: post a pic of the heater chanel vents and we can tell you.
' They are the 56' style heater vents. Rectangular and up by the firewall.
It was made in august. body # 314342.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:30 pm

My opinion---- You have a 56. It's all about the heater vents. :wink:

Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:41 pm

Hey! No fair editing your post. Now I look like an idiot. You said September/October then you changed it to August-- big diffference, and I'm stuck on record saying you have a 57. :D

Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:55 pm

coad wrote: Hey! No fair editing your post. Now I look like an idiot. You said September/October then you changed it to August-- big diffference, and I'm stuck on record saying you have a 57. :D

Sorry coad. I looked up the body number...you can edit your post too. It still has the 57-up sunroof. Anyway, sorry...just wanted to correct it. I guess I should have put up a new post. You can edit your post too if you want (or even delete it). COAD was right...everyone take note. By the way. All you said was they change it in the middle of the year...August is the 8th month, so technically it is past the middle of the year too. But yes, the VW model year did change after august.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:58 pm

twinwindows JHC wrote: Just make it a 56/57 and get some sleep!
I think we should all take this advice...it's a crossover model...early heater vents late sunroof, august body number...I think the chassis number is from september (1293646)
My conclusion is they made the body in august but didn't assemble it or put on a roof until september and voila...all of the problems are solved.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:29 pm

coad wrote: Hey! No fair editing your post. Now I look like an idiot. You said September/October then you changed it to August-- big diffference, and I'm stuck on record saying you have a 57. :D

ya, what he said. :wink:

Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:49 pm

Mr. Bungle wrote: coad wrote: Hey! No fair editing your post. Now I look like an idiot. You said September/October then you changed it to August-- big diffference, and I'm stuck on record saying you have a 57. :D

ya, what he said. :wink:

Sorry Mr. Bungle. I'd never do that on purpose to a canadian with (assumedly) fantastic taste in Music. I'm from NS!
NOW I changed it back and you guys look like bozo's again. HA.
So now, just so everyone knows. The original post said my car was from sept/oct, then it was switched to august, then it was switched back to the original. I have since checked the numbers and it has a 56 body (august) and a 57 chassis and roof (september).
There. Now, you guys both know that I am the fool in all of this!
Mr bungle (the band) kicks ass.

Wed Nov 24, 2004 8:33 am

you have a 1957.

Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:40 pm

or a 56!

Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:17 am

Ok im confused here. my beetle was sold to me as a 57. but i have those 56 style heating vents up by the firewall. but my body number is #377 002 which means it was made october of 56. so wouldnt that make it a 57 model? here are some pictures of the vents

mike

Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:44 pm

I guess maybe they didn;t change the heater vents till later in the model year!

Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:58 pm

I had a 57 with those vents too. Some early 57 models had them. I dont know when the changeover was though.

Sun Nov 28, 2004 11:19 am

Hi Volks,
According to "Progressive Refinements":

19 DEC 56 1 385 974(chassi #) 397 084(Body #)
09 JAN 57 1 394 163 34 347(Conv.)
Heating System
Now: heating pipes in side members, hot air outlets in front foot space, set back. Side panelling modified accordingly.

Since VW changed the model year at the beginning of each AUG since 1955 your's is a 1957.
Eric&Barb