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Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:37 pm

Hello. I'm not very knowledgeable in Barndoors, so I have a few questions pertaining to a '54 Singlecab: (originality is important for this vehicle)

1. I have reason to believe that it no longer has its original engine and transaxle. From what I have read, it should have a 36hp engine and split-case transaxle. Is this correct, and is there any way I can tell if they're original, such as numbers or codes?

2. The truck has its rear wheelwells cut out to resemble the front ones. I was wondering if the quarterpanel from a '56 truck would be the same, despite not being from a Barndoor truck. Would the '56 panel be incorrect for this truck?

3. The horn appears to be crimped together by a metal ring around the center. I was under the impression that the older horns were held together with small machine screws and nuts, whereas the later ones and modern replacements were assembled with the ring. Is this the case, and does anyone know when the screwed-together horns were stopped?

4. Where is the starter button supposed to be? The truck has been modified over the years, and the dash has been disturbed. The original ignition switch is still under the speedometer. Can anyone supply some detailed photos of a Single Cab Barndoor truck dashboard - preferably restored - that I can use as a model for restoration?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:47 pm

Car Doc wrote: Hello. I'm not very knowledgeable in Barndoors, so I have a few questions pertaining to a '54 Singlecab: (originality is important for this vehicle)

1. I have reason to believe that it no longer has its original engine and transaxle. From what I have read, it should have a 36hp engine and split-case transaxle. Is this correct, and is there any way I can tell if they're original, such as numbers or codes?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/chassisdating.php

You can also look in the front of a VW parts list for engine/tranny dating.

Car Doc wrote:
2. The truck has its rear wheelwells cut out to resemble the front ones. I was wondering if the quarterpanel from a '56 truck would be the same, despite not being from a Barndoor truck. Would the '56 panel be incorrect for this truck?

The sides/wheelwells are the same, the rear corners however are not.

Car Doc wrote:
3. The horn appears to be crimped together by a metal ring around the center. I was under the impression that the older horns were held together with small machine screws and nuts, whereas the later ones and modern replacements were assembled with the ring. Is this the case, and does anyone know when the screwed-together horns were stopped?

Are you referring to the horn or horn button?

Car Doc wrote:
4. Where is the starter button supposed to be? The truck has been modified over the years, and the dash has been disturbed. The original ignition switch is still under the speedometer. Can anyone supply some detailed photos of a Single Cab Barndoor truck dashboard - preferably restored - that I can use as a model for restoration?

The starter button is on the left side of the dashboard. I can shoot a photo tomorrow if noone has one handy.

Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:29 pm

Quote: Are you referring to the horn or horn button?

The horn itself.

Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:01 pm

Yes on the 36hp engine and split-case transmission.
It will have a Barndoor transmission, the axles tubes are different.

The horn should be screwed together and have screw-terminal connections for the power and ground.

Starter button is small metal button on left side of pod:

The starter button is Barndoor only but it somewhat similar to a Zwitter Beetle starter button.
Example:

Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:00 pm

is this the fire truck?

Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:05 pm

UZI wrote: is this the fire truck?

You let one get away UZI?.... [-X

Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:40 pm

If it is the "fire " truck (was a light truck for a fire company) I have some pics from back in the 90s. (i almost bought it when he first decided to sell it).

Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:40 pm

Thanks everyone, the info has been helpful. I came up with some more questions about the truck.

1. What is the correct color for the wheels? In the Bentley manual I see photos with all white or two tone wheel on the outside face, and it seems to be black on the inside face. I'm guessing the colors don't vary much, if at all. The truck body color is Dove Blue.

2. I've found repro semaphore lenses in both yellow/amber and orange. Both are listed as correct for the model year and manufacturer. The one surviving lens looks like its orange, but I'd prefer to know which is correct, if there's a difference?

Thanks for your time.

-Car Doc

Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:54 am

Car Doc wrote: 2. I've found repro semaphore lenses in both yellow/amber and orange. Both are listed as correct for the model year and manufacturer. The one surviving lens looks like its orange, but I'd prefer to know which is correct, if there's a difference?

some info here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=188080

Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:33 pm

The wheels should be painted black, then the faces should be painted Silver White.