57 on a 55 pan: should I buy it?

src91790 · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 3:49 pm Post subject: 57 on a 55 pan: should I buy it?

Hi fellow VW enthusiast. I have a dilemma and I could use some advice. Found a "57" from an older gentleman without matching numbers. Clean body w/new pans. Has original polished Porsche Fuchs, a rebuilt 1600 dual port (allegedly), lowered, has all interior but just not put together. Needs complete wire harnest. Anyhow, turns out, after running the both numbers through my CHP contact that the pan is a 55. The body however could not be identified because it is missing the front apron tag with identification numbers. Asking price is $2,500. A bargain, I think. Should I buy this project? Not into putting cars on show or doing a full on resto job. Just wanting to fix it up nice for me for the long run and sit next to my 65 split bus. I'll post pictures very soon if they're not already posted. I'm not sure what I want to do because I'm really big on having anything with matching numbers. Please help out with your opinions and or advice. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Bret2094 · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 4:33 pm Post subject:

What does the title go with? the body or pan? If the title he has iis for the body, you could have problems

Bret
_________________
1959 baja beetle ragtop( going back to Full body)
1959 beetle
1960 Beetle frame Custom buggy
1962 Karmann Ghia
1967 beetle( august 66, first car)
1967 beetle (parts car)

1977 Westfalia Camper

1972 Plymouth Duster

Just another 22 year old jackass who caught the bug, and lives by the motto " NO fatchicks allowed" , I've got too many cars as is (buses N/A)

src91790 · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 4:58 pm Post subject:

Good question. No title available, just a written bill of sale from whoever he got it from. My CHP contact told me that body could not be identified because of missing front apron plate with vin number. So, he would write it out as a "55". He said that he could get his office to overlook any headaches. So, technically, I'll have a pink for a "55" but with missing body numbers. Anyone deal with this issue before? I've always wanted an oval and this would be a great buy if it weren't for the numbers situation.

vwsonmybrain · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 7:47 pm Post subject:

Unless you're certain you can get a clean title for it, it's not a good deal.

You could pay only $500 for it and it could still end up being a waste of $500 if you can't title it (though you could certainly part it out).

Tell the seller you'll pay the additional title fees on top of the selling price if they'll get it titled before the sale. Otherwise, walk away.

Too many cars listed without titles. If it were easy to get titles, then the sellers would have that sorted out before listing.

src91790 · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:00 pm Post subject:

That's a VERY clever idea about paying the extra for title or walking away if nothing can be done. I'll definitely consider that.

Joey · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:34 am Post subject:

57BLITZ

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:08 am Post subject:

Great input 57BLITZ. My CHP contact ran the chassis number under the rear seat and then, in the front apron, there is a "stamped" number series, 431352 , located adjacent to where the factory ID plate would be mounted. I agree with your theory; this could very well be a matching #s oval. By the way, what is the "stamped" ID number on front apron? I'm very new at oval bugs and have been away from the VW scene for a while so my knowledge is a bit rusty here. Again, many thanks for the advice here. 57BLITZ, I'll be contacting you so I can text/email you pictures of this oval. Having trouble uploading them here.

This my 65 11-window split.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

*Darren · Samba Member Joined: July 29, 2013 Posts: 917 Location: MD

That number is the body number. Look at the vin chart in the tech section. Most likely built 1/57 confirming what you have been going on. (Recognizing that the same # sequence also appeared in 53).

57BLITZ · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:13 am Post subject:

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:28 am Post subject:

[img]
This is the "55 on a 57 pan". [/img]

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:28 am Post subject:

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:29 am Post subject:

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:30 am Post subject:

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:41 am Post subject:

These are the numbers that are on the front apron. Notice to two holes where the original plate was mounted.

splitjunkie · Samba Member Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4095

The doors aren't '55 doors so it is probably a '56 or '57 body shell. The steering wheel is '56 -'59.

The body number is Dec '56 so it is a '57 body shell assuming the front clip wasn't replaced at some point.
_________________
Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

splitjunkie · Samba Member Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4095

src91790 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chris! I'm happy the pictures can help identify a few things about year of this car. It's pretty much all there. Seller claims to have tail lights and other parts for it. Just need to rewire all of it and get her going. Not bad for a $2,500 price tag, I think.

motofly196 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:39 pm Post subject:

I agree...a great price for $2500. Plus, if you found a matching 56/57 pan with title, you could sell off the 55' pan and have money left over for the other stuff you need. Look closer at those Fuchs, they don't look OG to me, but I could be wrong.

vwsonmybrain · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:08 pm Post subject:


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