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Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:28 pm

I THOUGHT I HAD A 57 RAG BUT AFTER READING A LOT OF POSTS I'M NOT SURE ANYMORE.

IT'S AN OVAL RAG SITTING ON A 66 PAN, THATS A FACT.

THERE IS NO 'ID' PLATE BEHIND THE SPARE TIRE HOLE. IT HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED AS IT IS EITHER. IS THE RAG HOLE THE KEY? IF SO HOW LONG SHOULD IT BE? WHAT ABOUT THE HEATER VENTS UP FRONT?
I TAKE IT THERE IS A DIFFERANCE THERE ALSO.

HELP!!!! :?

ROGER

Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:02 pm

Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:12 pm

1955 had the heater vents up front that remind me of chicken wire

1956 was the first year of "pea shooters" so if your body was a 56 or 57 the back apron would have the two cut outs for the exaust pipes.

1957 the sunroof cover was made longer 1380mm (1350mm formerly) you can do the math to convert that to inches! :lol:

Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:36 pm

My suggestion is find an oval pan and tag as fast as you can.

Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:05 pm

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP GUYS/GALS 'AM GOING OVER TO WHERE IT'S STORED NOW TO TAKE A LOOK AND BRING MY METRIC MEASURING TAPE WITH ME.

ROGER

P.S. I WORKED AT THE VW FACTORY IN WOLFSBURG IN 1963. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR OLD PHOTOS AND FOUND A FEW, BUT NONE OF ME. I HAVE A GOOD ONE OF MY ENGLISH FRIEND, BRIAN TRUSCOTT OF CHEME SURRY STANDING IN FRONT OF THE FACTORY. MAYBE I'LL POST IT....

Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:39 pm

O.K.

I WENT OVER AND FOUND THE FRONT HEATER VENTS ARE LIKE SLOTS.

I MEASURED THE ROOF OPENING WITH MY METRIC TAPE AND CAME UP WITH THE FOLLOWING;

LENGTH: 97 CM OR 38 1/4"
WIDTH : 81 CM OR 32"

WHAT NOW? HELP!!!!! : :?:

Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:14 pm

So you know it's not a 55 based on the heater vents. Sounds like the meseurements provided above are for the cover itself and you measured the hole in the roof? I wonder if only the cover got bigger between 56 and 57, or the opening too.

Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:33 pm

If your heater vents are close to rthe front firewall, you have a 56. If the heater vents are close to the door jams, you have a 57.

Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:41 pm

if rear slotted holes are at rear of opening it is 57--if captive nuts at rear for hold down strip it is 56 and older.

Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:18 pm

some early 57 still had vents up front and not near the door opening.. above the id tag (look for 4 holes-rivit holes) and you will find the body number (not chassis /identification number) and write it down-bring to computer -post it and i will tell you month body was made and that will give a C.S.I.-VW person like me and my progressive refinements the answer to year question.. :wink:

Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:41 pm

THANK YOU GUYS AND GALS FOR YOUR INPUT.
THE HEATER VENTS ARE NEAR THE DOOR POSTS SO I IMAGINE IT IS A TRUE 1957 BUG.

THIS IS SUCH A GREAT WEBSITE FOR THE VW ENTHUSIAST AND YOU FOLKS ARE THE GREATEST HELP IN ANSWER TO ALL OUR QUESTIONS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, QUANSA, HONICA ETC.

ROGER IN SANTA CRUZ, CA :D

Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:33 pm

Yep - you've found the Holy Grail of VW info . . .welcome!