1956 "Cinderella"

[Gwdghiaguy]

Since the barn find '57 is now running pretty well I guess I need something else to fiddle with. So I hooked the '56 up to the tractor and drug her out of the field where she's been resting since November and put her in the shop. Here is her story (if you know all this from my other thread, just skip to the pictures. that's all everyone wants anyway. you guys are such vw porn addicts).

If you want all the gory details, go here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612570

According to Miss Cate, she and Frank bought this car new in Germany, drove it around Europe some and then had it shipped to the states. Here she is brand new:

She emailed me these images back in December. Doesn't he look happy? And I love the white walls. Definitely going to do that if I ever get that far.

And here she is almost 60 years later:

This is how she sat in Miss Cate's back yard since January, 1978. That is when the accident happened. I have copies of letters back and forth from Frank to the insurance company that he was dealing with and the repair estimate came to $595.46. (a new hood was only $30) He told the insurance folks that they could either fix it or get him one like it. So they got him the black '57 that is the subject of my other thread. And they let him keep this one too. He bought 2 others for parts and such and I wound up with all four last November. My daughter says that's when my sickness began.

More pics from last week:

If you read my other thread you already know about "the book". Frank kept meticulous records on all his cars (over 70 when he died last August) and here is "the book" on Cinderella:

Note at the bottom: "4th book, 300,000+"

Note the last fill-up:

Flash light? check. Fire extinguisher? check

Every VDO gauge known to man? check

Engine porn:

Gotta love this:

What's in here?

I know I'll never drive without a spoon again.

Frank was a math teacher. Found this as I started cleaning out the inside:

I can just imagine that chalk falling out of his pocket and I was the next person to touch it 30 odd years later.

And I believe there is plenty of work here for me to do. I've got a steep learning curve ahead of me.

So I'm thinking I could do a body-off restoration and try to make her look like the early pictures. Body work? Don't know jack. Welding? Clueless. Paint? haha. I have lots to learn and I expect lots of cat calls and heckling as I hack my way through this project. This should amuse most of you for many months to come.

Byron
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1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[René R.]

I know I'll be looking forward to your future posts!
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Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996)

[Bruce MacDonald]

Good luck with your project. Take your time, ask as many questions as you need and ignore the hecklers. 😃
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Stop worrying about how much your car will be worth when you are dead and build it to make you happy!

[AlanInMass54]

Good luck! I absolutely love this car, wish it were mine!

[vwnut1]

Ending up with all 4 Bug's is truly amazing. Like you, I am fascinated by finding log books, documentation, etc. from prior owners.

Luckily MIG welding is one of the easier skills to master for someone with average mechanical aptitude. The incentive to purchase a used MIG welder, compressor, spray gun, etc. is the huge amount of money that you will save IF you have the time for a project.

I think it's only a matter of time before a vendor starts to re-pop Beetle bodies. I heard KlassicFab may have a 100% brand new early Barndoor Bus available by the end of 2016. In another 10-15 years rebuildabe 50's/60's Bug's will difficult to locate. They have done it with late '60 Camaros, early Chevy/Ford trucks, Mustangs, etc. Will the VW Beetle be next?
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1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[Gwdghiaguy]

[mcdonaldneal]

Bookmarked.
Excited.
Good Luck!
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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Gwdghiaguy]

[bobnorman]

Hey! So glad to see this thread for Cinderelly. What an amazing car, so much documentation and so many cool mods/accessories. Looking forward to seeing what you do with her. All the best!
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Air does not freeze. Air does not boil.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289807

[Gwdghiaguy]

Hey, nobody told me this was going to take FOREVER! Good thing I'm retired or I'd never get anything done to this car. Here we are as of today. Haven't touched the engine compartment yet.

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1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[exotic plants]

I am now the proud owner of this car. My plan is keeping it as original as possible.

I put tires and rims on to make it mobile.

Will do my best to update with pics as progress happens.
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1956 Beetle - Jungle Green.
Parts needed to complete:
Front driver side fender.
Rear driver side fender.
Cash waiting.
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[motofly196]

This 56' is simply awesome! Please don't separate those gauges/ sending units from this car. It's been a while since Gwdghiaguy had an update...are your plans to keep it original paint?

[gatorwyatt]

Super happy for you Nathan! Very cool car.
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www.blastserv.com

wanted:
RHD Barndoor floor mat..reproduction is fine

[exotic plants]

Thanks Todd, super excited.
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1956 Beetle - Jungle Green.
Parts needed to complete:
Front driver side fender.
Rear driver side fender.
Cash waiting.
------------------------------------------------------------

[exotic plants]

[Gwdghiaguy]

I am so happy that this car has a new owner who can get her back on the road quickly. This worked out so well for both of us: Nathan gets an oval window and I get to post on the Bay Window forum now! I will be closely following this thread just like everyone else.

And Nathan, that little creature we were talking about? He rode all 542 miles home with me and we became acquainted after I unloaded the bus and opened the engine lid. We both jumped back a little when we saw each other. He is hiding behind the fan housing. Our farm cats are now very interested in the bus.

It was great to meet you and good luck with the bug!
_________________
1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[exotic plants]

[exotic plants]

Replacement metal purchased. Engine out, fenders and bumper off. Now the car is ready for the metal work guy. I will be transporting it there this weekend.

A number of bolts did not cooperate. No matter how much PB blaster or heat I applied, they could not be persuaded.

It is small progress but progress none the less.
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1956 Beetle - Jungle Green.
Parts needed to complete:
Front driver side fender.
Rear driver side fender.
Cash waiting.
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[sotos]

Thanks for keeping the same thread, so great to see such a friendly ownership transition.
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http://www.komenda-porsche-designer.at/
Oval53 (June)
Beetle 1.3 1966
New beetle 1.6 2003

[exotic plants]

Dan Chavez has began metal work.

Bug had a accident in Jan. 1978 and was parked. Was hit on the front driver side. Required some body straightening.

I am very happy things are starting.
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1956 Beetle - Jungle Green.
Parts needed to complete:
Front driver side fender.
Rear driver side fender.
Cash waiting.
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