Narrowed front beam on 55 oval

[mdarng]

I'm considering buying the 55 oval. The seller says that it has an adjustable, narrowed front beam with drop spindles. It has no shock towers/shocks. Is this normal or is this a problem? The VW also has working semaphores but no other turn indicators, is this legal here in the states or will I have to add them? It is still 6 volt system, how hard is this to convert to 12 Volt?

Thanks in advance

[cfelke]

It is up to you whether you like the lowered look or stock. If you are wanting it to be stock, you can throw an original beam on it. Since there are so many people wanting the narrowed dropped front end look, I am sure you would have no problem selling it or even trading for a stock one. I just spend maybe $600 for parts to narrow and drop mine.

You should be fine with the semaphores, I am not sure what needs done to make them work on 12v.

As for going to 12v, you change the alternator, all bulbs, coil, voltage drop for wipers, or have it rebuilt as a 12v, your starter may or may not need changed. I am sure there are a couple other things.

[mdarng]

Does the fact that it has no shocks on the front cause a problem when driving and hitting bumps in the road?

[cfelke]

From what I have read, not having shocks on the front with a narrowed beam is not that big of a problem. As you narrow your beam, your torsion bars are shorter and they don't flex as much as stock so they don't bounce as much. The front of a beetle is also pretty light, helping out.

Do you like the bug? Have you driven it? If you like it, and it rides ok, I say go for it.

[txoval]

If it still has the stock 36hp engine the coversion to 12Volt is a bit different due to the generator stand. There is a Porsche 12V generator that fits, but it's big $$$. You can also have the stock 6Volt rebuilt to 12V, which isn't cheap either.

I run a 4" narrowed beam without shocks on my 54, no issue.

Semaphores are good in the states, assuming they work

[Mr. OGPaint]

[brownie]

I have a 4 inch narrowed beam with shocks.But when i take the shocks off,, you can not tell the difference
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[71BayinOkc]

4" narrowed on my '55

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Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow

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1963 Beetle Rag
1955 Oval Rag (SOLD)
1963 Single Cab (SOLD)
1963 Beetle (SOLD)
1971 Bay window (SOLD)

[begood56vw]

[ratpanel61]

Sorry to hijack, but can you tell us more about the black car? How many notches in the back? What size are those tires? That's the exact stance I'm shooting for on mine.
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- '57 Sunroof Beetle (project)
- '73 THING

[71BayinOkc]