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Need help = 56 Opening front hood, latch broken
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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 12:10 am    Post subject: Need help = 56 Opening front hood, latch broken Reply with quote

Hello ! newbs to the forum, picked me up a spectacular 56 red coral oval window, sunroof, one owner, lots of chrome, intact.

Well.....i forgot, and accidentally closed the front hood, my husband was tinkering with latch, (he put a piece of cardboard over latch so it would not lock). Oopsy daisy.

we have crawled under the bug, looked under dash, and i am not sure the safest way to do this, i do not want to damage anything. It does not have the pull thingy under the dash to release the hood.

thanks in advance for your time. look forward to learning a lot.

EDIT: Hubby got the hood open, no damage, so cooooooooool. This car deserves to live somewhere where it does not get -40 below zero in winter, icy roads, etc........Hmmmmmm............... Very Happy

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Last edited by redcoral56sweetness on Fri May 15, 2015 6:30 pm; edited 2 times in total
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0nebadbug
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 5:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

While the hood was open, did anyone notice if the latch cable cover, the cover at the bottom of the latch, still in it's place? ...or missing...

If it's not there it is possible to get a long hook tool (or screwdriver, maybe) up between the hood & apron and you might get lucky and push the latch. But be nice to the car though put some masking tape on the tool to avoid major scratching and then use 2 pairs of wood tapered shims on either side of the latch area to nicely lift the hood to allow a little room to try catching the wire or lever... I actually got lucky with this twice over the years... But if you know that the cable cover is in place? Then don't even try...

Another option is from the passenger side access hole but you'll need to grind the sheet metal screw to allow the cover to fall off inside the spare tire area you can get in there from the backside (small arm anyways) with a small ratchet & socket and blindly remove the 4 bolts from the latch... But if the spare tire is in there..? Then don't even try...

If all else fails? Not much choice but to bite the bullet and cut the handle in 1/2, pray the 2 handle bolts aren't stuck, and then un-thread each half of the handle... Then buy a new handle off the classifieds from here...

And when installing the new handle? Install a new hood cable and cleanup the the entire latch mechanism...

PS: Beautiful Coral red (is that original paint?) Oval Rag & welcome to the Samba... you'll learn alot from this place.
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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

oh thanks ! we did not notice if the latch was as u described, but i showed husband your reply and he is gonna try those suggestions you posted.

Thanks so much for your help ! I will let ya know if it works Smile

I just got the car about 2 days ago, so i am am sorting boxes of extras, i think it is original paint, it was a barn find, just beautiful. I will post more details and pics later this week.

I just love her Smile
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0nebadbug
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 3:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

one other option is if the hood knob/wire broke off at the knob itself and is still available... If you know where it is, with some luck & some serious luck with the right of long & narrow locking nose forceps down the hood pull tube... have one person pull while the other person jiggles the hood at the same time... if the wire is there to grab, try & try ...and then try again...

But as I said these are long shots & total luck of the draw....

The last resort is cutting the handle in halves...


And yes... please... MORE HISTORY OF YER CAR!!!


(we all love histories, pictures & stories here)
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stale air
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unfortunatly, the easiest way to get into a stuck hood it to cut the hood handle in half, and then unscrew the separate pieces. Just be careful not to scratch the paint while unscrewing the now two piece handle. Cool
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0nebadbug
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 4:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^^ X2 ^^^

...after all else fails.
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catahoula lou
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PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Assuming your latch mechanism is the same as the one in my 59 ragtop, you may want to add an auxiliary emergency cable in case your OG cable breaks.

I used a length of bicycle brake line to create a loop around the lever so that it won't slip off, and then ran it out through the horn wiring hole (or any on the LHS that leads to under your LF fender) and created a finger loop. That way, if your OG cable breaks, you can reach up next to your horn an open your hood. Rare enough that nobody will really look for this.

Unfortunately, have not figured out how to do the decklid latch...

Can also be used on both front/rear latches of Ghias (at least in my lowlight).

Best,

Thom
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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Thu May 14, 2015 12:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

no luck so far, still working on it, but the boat and fish where calling us tonight .....friday will be a day off to really spend some time to work on hood.

I have been sorting boxes of extras it came with, the gentlemen i got it from bought it new in 1956 at Dave Rasmussen VW in California when he was 16 YEARS OLD ! oh my goodness.

He has had it all these years ! 87K original miles. He kept it maintained, lots of history pieces he kept, have the original oil change coupon book, could bring it in to VW and get your oil changed with the VW Coupon book for $ 1.75. Sweet !


I love the red coral paint, all the chrome, and the sunroof. I will get some new pics taken and post them.

I sure do appreciate all the ideas to get that hood open - i am determined to do it without damage, i hope.....thanks again
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Anduril
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PostPosted: Thu May 14, 2015 4:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I apologize for this minor derail of this discussion of your temporary, hopefully, situation but there is another thread that has been going off and on for a few years that you might be able to help with.

I can't tell from the pics in that lighting if the outer color on your rims is a brownish or a matching Coral Red. If it happens to be brownish your car could be the source of information a few of us are trying to locate.

If you were so inclined and if there is a good auto paint place nearby that could analyze the color and come up with a formula that others could use we would be very happy. Wink

It is a beautiful car in my favorite VW color and hopefully you are able to resolve this situation of yours soon.
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Major Woody
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PostPosted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The rims on this car are coral, not Rusty Brown.

The sunroof cover looks odd. I am skeptical that it is the correct cover for a 56.

Originally the cover would have been Coral Red vinyl. Those are NLA but at least the car should have rounded front corners and square rear corners. The cover on the car appears possibly to be a "four round corners" cover with the rear slat iron crammed under it, stretching it out. If so, it's not that big of a deal to fix and of course the hood is the priority right now.

More pics, please!
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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Thu May 14, 2015 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

oh hi ! i will get some good pics in the morning - i am off work tomorrow and will get it out of garage in sunlight - and take pics of inside too.

and yes the rims are the same color as the car.

thanks for the help everybody. this bug is really nice, great condition, the extra stuff he gave me is beyond fabulous, lots of goodies for the car.

thanks Smile
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vwsonmybrain
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PostPosted: Thu May 14, 2015 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Major Woody wrote:
but at least the car should have rounded front corners and square rear corners.


Depends on what part of '56 it was built:

"In May 1956, chassis # 1181041 the sunroof changed again. … This sunroof, for the first time, had rounded corners front and back."
-Bob Wilson, The 1949-1959 VW Beetle



Great looking car! I too have a mostly original paint Coral Red oval, but from '57 and not nearly as nice.
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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 12:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sweet info on the sunroof. The sunroof is in great shape, not a rip or tear, opens and closes great, latches works great - nice white color.

This bug has really been preserved, its just a beauty, i can't wait to shine the chrome - but oh boy this bug could be like looking like new real easy - little time capsule survivor.

Home from work, tinkering some on her.

No success on front hood yet, but thats my project in the am.

She is # 1267217 under the back seat on the body and on a plate under the front hood.

# under the front hood on the body is # 292425

engine Zundfolge 1-4-3-2
1478620

Smile
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vwsonmybrain
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 8:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

redcoral56sweetness wrote:

She is # 1267217 under the back seat on the body and on a plate under the front hood.

# under the front hood on the body is # 292425

engine Zundfolge 1-4-3-2
1478620

Smile


Looks like you actually have a very early production year 1957 model, built in August of 1956 (August being the first month of production for the new model year). But your engine number dates to May of 1956, which isn't unheard of.

Each number on this list is the LAST vehicle produced for each month:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php
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EverettB Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vwsonmybrain wrote:
redcoral56sweetness wrote:

She is # 1267217 under the back seat on the body and on a plate under the front hood.

# under the front hood on the body is # 292425

engine Zundfolge 1-4-3-2
1478620

Smile


Looks like you actually have a very early production year 1957 model, built in August of 1956 (August being the first month of production for the new model year). But your engine number dates to May of 1956, which isn't unheard of.

Each number on this list is the LAST vehicle produced for each month:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php


A small correction:
Engine # 1478620 is near the end of June, 1956

To clarify what you said above so there is no confusion:
It's not unheard of to have a different engine but there is no way it's the original engine if it's from June.
The original engines are always in line with the VIN #s from the month/year charts on the site.
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jason
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 9:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The front latch has a safety mechanism built in. If the cable breaks it releases the latch. VW designed it so you won't get locked out if the cable breaks. Easiest way to get in, break cable.
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vwsonmybrain
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 1:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EverettB wrote:
vwsonmybrain wrote:
redcoral56sweetness wrote:

She is # 1267217 under the back seat on the body and on a plate under the front hood.

# under the front hood on the body is # 292425

engine Zundfolge 1-4-3-2
1478620

Smile


Looks like you actually have a very early production year 1957 model, built in August of 1956 (August being the first month of production for the new model year). But your engine number dates to May of 1956, which isn't unheard of.

Each number on this list is the LAST vehicle produced for each month:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php


A small correction:
Engine # 1478620 is near the end of June, 1956

To clarify what you said above so there is no confusion:
It's not unheard of to have a different engine but there is no way it's the original engine if it's from June.
The original engines are always in line with the VIN #s from the month/year charts on the site.


Whoops...you're right, I think I just mismatched one line with the other on the chart. And thanks for the clarification.
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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:01 pm    Post subject: some pics, got th hood open Reply with quote

got the hood open because husband is a ninja mechanic - no damage.

Took some pics of her. Beautiful car.

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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

more pics Very Happy

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redcoral56sweetness
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PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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