Expert opinions wanted

[scarroll]

I bought my first beetle in 1969. It was titled as a '55. I have no record of the VIN. It had semaphores, overrider bumpers, and a red interior. As you can see from the pic, my tailor was a little sloppy with the pants.

Last year, I found a car that I believe to be identical in all respects. Black over red, overriders, etc. It shows a build date of Nov 1954, with engine and body numbers from Oct 1954. As with my first car, I believe the red interior and overriders are original to the car.

However, a review of the paint/interior choices in the tech library does not include red interiors until later, in '55. Also, I've seen references to overrider bumpers being introduced after my "new" one was built.

So, can anyone shed some light on the details of my "new" car? Are my assumptions about interior color and bumpers incorrect? Thanks for any insights.

[davetaylor]

You're in luck because everybody on the Internet is an expert, haha

As far as I know a U.S. Nov. '54 wouldn't have overriders although you might want to look into the add-on ram protection that's been discussed on here lately. Some other expert will have to chime in on the interior, although I'm thinking my Nov. '54 had remnants of red interior when I got it.
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1954 3-fold ragtop Beetle project
1969 Porsche 912 (sold)
1979 Beetle triple white German Look convertible
1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa (sold)

[scarroll]

Thanks for that tip. It lead me to this post, showing standard overriders on a beetle that could be no newer than Oct '54.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=642768

That's pretty compelling proof for me...overriders came earlier than I thought.

By the way, we also share a common interest in the P-brand, judging by your garage!

[janerick3]

I also have a Nov '54 that is titled as a '55, black with a red interior, as well as semaphores and ram protection. It is a U.S. market car with an Oct '54 body. The original powertrain was gone when I got the car (1980) and the front seats and all 4 fenders had been replaced (w/'62 taillights). The rest of the car was pretty much original, except that it had been repainted yellow and primered twice over the yellow paint.

The easiest way to tell if it came with ram protection from the factory is to look for the rectangular plate at the bottom of the spare tire well. This plate raised the spare tire so it would not get jammed between the overrider brackets.

Nov/Dec '54 VWs also have a two month only speedometer, with the high beam indicator where the turn signal indicator should be and turn signal arrows at the top, like split-window buses. Nov '54 (10.54 dated) speedometers also have the generator and oil pressure lights reversed.

The Nov '54 US-market sedans all (w/one documented exception) run in a block of numbers between 1-07459XX and 1-07470XX. Mine is in about the middle of this run.
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[txoval]

Overriders were definitely an option for your month/year. They weren't standard for US cars, but were a $30 option.

See here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=642768

My November 54 came with this option

The speedometer is actually a 3 month only production run...October-December

[Westy Steve]

Go back to the car you recently found and look for traces of white paint on the hubs. Might still be there.
_________________
Have nice 914, want nice Bug

[splitjunkie]

I had a '54 that was original and had black paint and red interior. I no longer have the car so I don't know what month but that color combination was definitely available at that point.
_________________
Chris

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

[scarroll]

To clarify, I know that the car I recently bought isn't my first one. I bought it because it was identical, the closest thing I would expect to still having my first car. It's wonderful.

One question I forgot to ask: No heart taillights on either car, just the egg-style lenses that I keep hearing are a '55-only feature. Would that be correct?

And, thanks for all the feedback!

[Russ]

someone will know the exact dates i'm sure but the eggs ran for i think 8 months late 54 to early 55 so i do believe they would be correct for your car
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Cruiser pedals for sale (see my ad's)
55 hardtop finally finished
65 beetle done:)

[scarroll]

Excellent, thanks very much.

[56Cabrio]

[txoval]

[janerick3]

Progressive Refinements lists the start of "egg" taillights at chassis # 1-0722916 on 1 October 1954.

Apparently two styles of "egg" lenses exist: the earlier version without the roundel in the center of the lens and the later version with the roundel. The roundel was in use by January 1955. My '54 did not have its original taillights, so it's not a good data point.

Also, Red leatherette interiors have been available on
black cars prior to March 1953, as Zwitters were produced in this color combination for the U.S. market.
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[davetaylor]