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Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:18 am

I'm looking to maybe clean up my trunk a bit with a wiring cover and trunk liner, but the ones wolfsburg west sells says they are for '56-'67 and '56-'60, respectively. I wouldn't have thought there would be that much difference between a 56 and a 55 in those areas. Will these work with a trimming? thx.

BTW here's the links:
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113863515BPL
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113863509B

Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:02 pm

Two thoughts here. Your '55 most likely has the "large" shoebox-style gas tank, which was discontinued for the '56 model (which started in 8/55) and had that "frontal upward bulge". If you do have the original style tank, then I THINK the WW trunk liner can be cut down to fit. Cut the mat so that it has some tension against the back face of the tank so that the mat is forced downwards in tension against the trunk floor.

The dash liner should fit no problem.

BUT: I also "think" that the correct, original trunk liner for a '55 was a large piece comprised of several sections stapled together, that went from the back face of the tank rearwards, then folded upwards just ahead of the fusebox to meet up with the cowl. Let's call it "extended-style". The staples used to connect the sections were quite large and "industrial" size. Since the dash pad was integral with the trunk floor mat, you did not have those two small studs which attach the '56 on dash pad near the bottom using those two thumbscrews. I'd imagine you can fabricate such sections using black posterboard from an art supply shop, cutting the sections per some reference photos. A good friend in CT has an award-winning '54 Karmann Cabriolet (Beetle body) which has this correct "extended-style lining".

Depending on the how authentic you want to make your car, you should do some more research, or somebody with a similar original '55 can respond (with photos!) if their trunk liners are still in place. If correctness is not an issue, you can do a nice job with adapting the WW pieces.

Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:02 pm

The wiring cover is a universal fit ABS plastic piece,not the original cardboard style.The liner is made for the "hump" style gastank.Neither is correct for your car,but both will work

Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:19 pm

Hmmm, okay, thanks for the replies. My car is not a perfect restoration by any stretch of the imagination, I just want it to look nice and clean mostly. I'm sure there are plenty of things on it that would drive the purists mad, lol. If someone can post some pictures of what my car is supposed to look like though I will consider trying to make it that way. Thanks again :)

Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:27 pm

That I don't have pics of,as I found my all original '60 euro rag,then proceeded to swap the factory engine,tranny,front beam,and brakes to those that better suited my needs.When people tell me "those things aren't stock" I tell them "neither is my car"

Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:32 pm

Alan Willis wrote: When people tell me "those things aren't stock" I tell them "neither is my car"

That's pretty much my attitude too, but I like to keep things (at least the body and interior) as close to stock as I can. But my car has a synchro tranny, a narrowed adjustable beam, droped wide 5 disk brakes up front (well, it will if I ever get around to putting them in, lol) and eventually in back, and will be getting a big motor later this year.

PS: Alan, where you from in SD? Spring Valley born and raised myself. Not sure what the hell I'm doing in Texas :lol:

Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:38 pm

Born in La Jolla,now live in Poway,but might move to Texas or Arizona soon;its getting waay too crowded here!

Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:11 pm

Rome is correct..55 does not have the two tabs on each side of the trunk that atatch the wiring cover.55 and earlier used stapeled cardboard sections that went from the gas tank and rolled up to the middle of the wiring.I believe BFY sells a repro....check thier site..

Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:12 pm

1953-55 use a 3pc trunk liner. The 3 pieces are joined together using large copper staples. When assembled, the rear most piece is the wiring cover as well. BFY sold repro's several yearas ago for around $40, not sure of availability today though.

Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:38 pm

RareAir wrote: 1953-55 use a 3pc trunk liner. The 3 pieces are joined together using large copper staples. When assembled, the rear most piece is the wiring cover as well. BFY sold repro's several yearas ago for around $40, not sure of availability today though.

I really need one as well. If someone finds them, LET ME KNOW!

Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:03 pm

Dave Lumetta

Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:44 pm

Isn't Koch doing those anymore? I know that Wolfsburg West has a source. 8)

Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:02 pm

I got mine from Koch's within the last year or so. I believe they came from Dave Lumetta.

Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:18 pm

2splits wrote: RareAir wrote: 1953-55 use a 3pc trunk liner. The 3 pieces are joined together using large copper staples. When assembled, the rear most piece is the wiring cover as well. BFY sold repro's several yearas ago for around $40, not sure of availability today though.

I really need one as well. If someone finds them, LET ME KNOW!

Kevin do you need it for your vert? If so aren't those a little different then sedan since they have a cardboard piece that goes under the hood hinge on both sides (where the vert only support is). My vert even has little clips to hold it to the side.

I need one for my 53 vert also!

Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:08 am

buggen wrote: 2splits wrote: RareAir wrote: 1953-55 use a 3pc trunk liner. The 3 pieces are joined together using large copper staples. When assembled, the rear most piece is the wiring cover as well. BFY sold repro's several yearas ago for around $40, not sure of availability today though.

I really need one as well. If someone finds them, LET ME KNOW!

Kevin do you need it for your vert? If so aren't those a little different then sedan since they have a cardboard piece that goes under the hood hinge on both sides (where the vert only support is). My vert even has little clips to hold it to the side.

I need one for my 53 vert also!

Yeah, they are a little different. Thats why they are so DAMN HARD TO FIND.

Believe it or not, when I was young and dumb, I had the original in my 55, but there was a small tear in it - so I threw it out!!!!!!!

Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:57 am

55bundt wrote: Rome is correct..55 does not have the two tabs on each side of the trunk that atatch the wiring cover.55 and earlier used stapeled cardboard sections that went from the gas tank and rolled up to the middle of the wiring.I believe BFY sells a repro....check thier site..

Yup, BFY has it! --> http://www.bfyobsoleteparts.com/volkswagen/product.php?productid=880&cat=0&page=1

And only 35 bones! Well, I guess that's another part of my car that will be "right", lol
There's no way in hell I'm putting a crash box and a 36 horse in it though :lol:

PS. thanks all for your help!

Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:29 am

mk-zero: from Spring Valley, eh (I know, SD)? Out here in NY the next town over is also SpringValley... :)

Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:04 am

Rome wrote: mk-zero: from Spring Valley, eh (I know, SD)? Out here in NY the next town over is also SpringValley... :)

Yeah, there's a Spring Valley pretty close to where I'm living in Houston too. Every state probably has at least one Spring Valley, lol :lol:

Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:08 pm

horatiocaine wrote: Dave Lumetta

When I asked him about it a year or so ago, he wasn't so keen on it.

But I REALLY need one for a vert - so if anybody finds someone who will make it, please contact me.

Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:53 pm

I happened to get a call from Dave This Eve. He said he would make the liners, he was the supplier to koch's. Heres his number, he may take a while to get back to you.
818 352-0032
He also has a complete set of 54/55 seats for sale think he wants about 1k,