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Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:12 pm

I finally got a hold of a '56 vert. The original owner purchased it in Germany and had its shipped here to the states. Once arrived, he found a mechanic to keep it road worthy. Over the years the owner would take it in and one day mentioned that if he were to sell it he would sell it to the mechanic. Well, the day came when the mechanic passed away and eventually the owner came looking for him to sell it to him. The owner wouldn't consider selling it anyone else and in the end convinced the widow to buy it from him. This was several years ago and it has been sitting in the shop since. She never transfered the title, so , technically I am the second owner.

It came with the original bill of sale, bill of lading, German maintenance coupon books and a lot of other documents. One cool document it came with is a map of all the VW dealerships in Germany at the time. The car has all original interior in impeccable condition with original headliner, og motor, trans, spare and fuel guage dipstick. The pans are original and don't have one hole in them; rockers are super clean.

Anyway, you can tell I'm pumped. I feel very fortunate.

ghiafreek

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:31 pm

Damn that looks good and congrats. Your collection is really starting to take shape.

Very nice car i just seen some other shots of it in the gallery........

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:35 pm

Good Score!

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:54 pm

Thanks Rich's 50.
I can't wait to get this registered and driving.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:58 pm

That is awesome!! congrats.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:18 pm

Just took a look at the pics in the gallery,,nice!
Are you going to restore it or leave it og? Any plans on the interior? Just asking because if you end up doing the interior I would be willing to buy just the upholstery of the back seat (mine stolen at Kelly Park). I think Rich's 50 will agree that it would match pretty good to my interior, that new red rear seat material is killing me. If anyone out there might have the same faded red back seat that they might want to trade a fresh one for or just sell the material it would be appreciated.

Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:59 am

Beautiful find! A lucky car if I ever saw one.

Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:56 am

NICE!

Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:10 am

Very cool vert Ghiafreak!! 8) So are you going to take it to the "because we can" carshow at Biff Buzby's on Sept 20th? I would really like to see this vert. Not too many oval verts in central texas, your's the the second one that I know of besides mine.

Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:18 am

Thanks for all the positive responses.
I definately am keeping this one OG. The original owner did swap out the top for white vinyl, but that is coming off and will be replaced with black canvas.

Yes, Ninamashr, I'll be taking it to Buzzby's in September.

Can someone tell me what this little toggle like switch is? Its right by the hood release. Is it for the rear dome light?

Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:24 am

ghiafreek wrote: Thanks for all the positive responses.
I definately am keeping this one OG. The original owner did swap out the top for white vinyl, but that is coming off and will be replaced with black canvas.

Yes, Ninamashr, I'll be taking it to Buzzby's in September.

Can someone tell me what this little toggle like switch is? Its right by the hood release. Is it for the rear dome light?

Awesome, I'll see you there then. That toggle switch is for the dome light. The switch is run on the negative side, there is a live hot wire going to the domelight and the toggle switch sends the negative signal to it to complete the circuit. If you need help with that top let me know, I installed mine and saved a bunch of loot. There's also some pics on the domelight circuit in this link...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=260335&highlight=oval+vert+install

Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:41 am

Yeah, I've been studying that thread. I think I can swing it. I was able to do both my '58 and '59 ghia verts, though, I'm sure it'll come out better this time now that I have your thread to refer and they say the third times the charm.

Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:53 am

Good deal, I also have copies of the top installation instructions from the VW dealer manuals for 1954-57 and 58-62 if you need them. Congrats on finding that vert!

Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:42 am

WoW!

That car is a survivor! Nice find mang.

Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:49 am

Congrats, beautiful car!

I'm surprised though-it looks like you're losing your touch...
I don't see it in the for sale section yet!!! :lol: :lol:

Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:35 am

Quote: Not too many oval verts in central texas, your's the the second one that I know of besides mine.

What ? For heaven's sake Lupe !!!!! :roll:

Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:10 am

ghiafreek, can you post a pic of the rear of that car ?
Does it by chance have a later model vert decklid on it ?
Also signs of a rear engine fire ?

Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:13 pm

SRV wrote: Quote: Not too many oval verts in central texas, your's the the second one that I know of besides mine.

What ? For heaven's sake Lupe !!!!! :roll:

Huh? The only other oval vert in the central Texas that I know of is Chuck's white 57 and now this new black one for Ghiafreak. So makes make 2 that I know of, besides mine. Am I wrong, is there another that I have missed ?

Sun May 16, 2010 6:22 pm

Hi Guys,
I wanted to take the relay from Edward who I just bought the oval vert from.
The vert lives now in Quebec City.

Here is how it was last Wednesday when we picked it up at the border warehouse in Montreal:

Sun May 16, 2010 6:28 pm

After a quick cleanup it looks a lot more better:

I now have my dream exhaused in the garage :wink: :