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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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 Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 4:56 pm Post subject: Can you help decode my 54's VIN? |
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Curious about any info you guys could tell me about my 54's ViN. I am most interested in the stock color.
Thanks
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26325
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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The VIN is just a sequential serial number. As such, it gives NOTHING for the build specifications of the vehicle.
Now, you can send VW a chunk of change and buy a "birth certificate" (provided they can even still read the microfiche records) which can tell you the stock colour.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=398 |
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janerick3
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006
Posts: 1879
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Your car was assembled January 1955 and there's a strong possibility it was originally black, as your ID plate appears to have the original rivets and there is no evidence of overspray on the plate.
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Thanks,
Jan K. |
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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| janerick3 wrote: |
| Your car was assembled January 1955 and there's a strong possibility it was originally black, as your ID plate appears to have the original rivets and there is no evidence of overspray on the plate. |
interesting... the title says 54 and when I checked the numbers it looked like it would have been a late 54. curious why you think it may have been black? |
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txoval
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004
Posts: 3552
Location: The Woodlands, TX
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:43 am Post subject: |
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Definitely January 1955. The VIN codes listed on this site are the last VIN for that month.
You could always remove the VIN plate to see the color behind it. Some will say you shouldn't do this, but I have never had a problem with DMV over this. |
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Westy Steve
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2006
Posts: 1095
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:04 am Post subject: |
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What is the body number stamped below that plate? Your car was made very early January '55 based on the VIN, but I'm curious what the body number says.
Also, is this a U.S. car?
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Have nice 914, want nice Bug |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| mwhayes wrote: |
| janerick3 wrote: |
| Your car was assembled January 1955 and there's a strong possibility it was originally black, as your ID plate appears to have the original rivets and there is no evidence of overspray on the plate. |
interesting... the title says 54 and when I checked the numbers it looked like it would have been a late 54. curious why you think it may have been black? |
Black? Thats white and gold paint!!
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.ssS! |
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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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702-680, in case it's hard to see. I was told it was a beetle that was imported to the US about 5 years ago from the previous owner. It lived most of its life in Germany.
| Westy Steve wrote: |
What is the body number stamped below that plate? Your car was made very early January '55 based on the VIN, but I'm curious what the body number says.
Also, is this a U.S. car? |
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Westy Steve
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2006
Posts: 1095
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, based on the info in the techbical section here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php
The body and VIN are both very, very early 1955. Like its the 350th body that rolled off the assembly line, so that might be the first day...they were making 5,000 a week.. I'm curious to know if it has some of the 1954 features.
To me, your car is more interesting than a run of the mill 54. There were a lot of changes in 55. I'll see if I can find more info.
Found it: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=590930&highlight=differences
What I do wonder is whether the info the Samba publishes is based on production dates or delivery dates because it takes time to sail the Atlantic. Does it have semaphors and cloth seats?
Post more pix...its an interesting car.
Steve
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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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No push button starter, it does have semaphores, and I believe the seats could be the originals under the seat covers. They are not cloth and appear to be vinyl. It also has the tail lights that were produced from 10/1954 to 05/1955. You can view my gallery for more pics, I am not a big fan of the current paint. But the car is solid as a rock, virtually no rust. My plans are to enjoy it in its current condition and restore it's to original once I gather the missing parts. I appreciate any other info. you could provide...
my gallery link: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=mwhayes
| Westy Steve wrote: |
Hey, based on the info in the techbical section here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php
The body and VIN are both very, very early 1955. Like its the 350th body that rolled off the assembly line, so that might be the first day...they were making 5,000 a week.. I'm curious to know if it has some of the 1954 features. Trying to remember them all, but does it have a push button starter?
To me, your car is more interesting than a run of the mill 54. There were a lot of changes in 55. I'll see if I can find more info.
What I do wonder is whether the info the Samba publishes is based on production dates or delivery dates because it takes time to sail the Atlantic. Does it have semaphors and cloth seats?
Post more pix...its an interesting car.
Steve |
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Westy Steve
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2006
Posts: 1095
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| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone notice that the chassis numbers in both links posted above seem to conflict for year end 1954?
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TheLadyBug
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2014
Posts: 639
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:02 am Post subject: |
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A heads up - when I ordered my certificate it DID NOT specify the original colour.
I'd look in some tell-tale spots for the original colour, such as inside window beading, provided that the car has not had a full restoration before.
Also - don't be confused by the BODY number, and the chassis/serial number. They are different. The body number is the one stamped in the metal of the car. The serial/chassis number is on the hump of the pan under the seat, and should correspond to the number on the plaque under the hood.
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Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily |
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kielbasa
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2007
Posts: 1443
Location: Garbage Grove, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:12 am Post subject: |
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You want to see original color? Open up the heater duct under rear seat.
Here is iceland green on my early 55.
_________________
Gotta give my props to:
Wolfsburg Motorsports
Dubbers Toy Box
Jeff's VW Speed and Fab
4inbore.com
Kielbasa Industries |
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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you so much, here is mine... anyone know the color? Looks beige.
| kielbasa wrote: |
You want to see original color? Open up the heater duct under rear seat.
Here is iceland green on my early 55.
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txoval
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004
Posts: 3552
Location: The Woodlands, TX
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| L275 Light Beige |
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Westy Steve
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2006
Posts: 1095
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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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| this is great news, so happy it's not black! |
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kielbasa
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2007
Posts: 1443
Location: Garbage Grove, CA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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Beige is a good color. Hard to go wrong with it. my old 68 was Savanah beige, and my 65 Plymouth valiant is "light tan"
Black is hard to keep clean, buffed, and straight. Also it's so over done. On any type of car. Looks like you scored.
_________________
Gotta give my props to:
Wolfsburg Motorsports
Dubbers Toy Box
Jeff's VW Speed and Fab
4inbore.com
Kielbasa Industries |
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mwhayes
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2009
Posts: 35
Location: Asheboro, NC
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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I appreciate everyone's help with the matter
| kielbasa wrote: |
Beige is a good color. Hard to go wrong with it. my old 68 was Savanah beige, and my 65 Plymouth valiant is "light tan"
Black is hard to keep clean, buffed, and straight. Also it's so over done. On any type of car. Looks like you scored. |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| kielbasa wrote: |
Beige is a good color. Hard to go wrong with it. my old 68 was Savanah beige, and my 65 Plymouth valiant is "light tan"
Black is hard to keep clean, buffed, and straight. Also it's so over done. On any type of car. Looks like you scored. |
Even better when you have a tin of the original.... 
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