TheSamba.com :: View topic - 36hp or 40hp, I'm new to vintage speed!!!

Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:25 pm

I have a 1200cc in my dune buggy, I was told it was built off of a 1958 beetle pan. Im really new to the 1200cc, done lots of work on 1600cc style motors and was told to get one for my Buggy, but I'd rather fix up my 1200 for vintage sake. Anyway, here are my numbers: 2 29887 on the generator stand and 1758412 on the pan in front of the shifter access panel. Can anyone please help me tell if I have a 1958 or not, or if I have a 36hp or 40hp. Also what is the difference between the two motors.

Thanks,

-Nick-

Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:27 pm

nbuscemi wrote: I have a 1200cc in my dune buggy, I was told it was built off of a 1958 beetle pan. Im really new to the 1200cc, done lots of work on 1600cc style motors and was told to get one for my Buggy, but I'd rather fix up my 1200 for vintage sake. Anyway, here are my numbers: 2 29887 on the generator stand and 1758412 on the pan in front of the shifter access panel. Can anyone please help me tell if I have a 1958 or not, or if I have a 36hp or 40hp. Also what is the difference between the two motors.

Thanks,

-Nick-

Engine #2 29887 = Dec 1956 - 36hp
Chassis # 1758412 = Feb 1957

Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:02 pm

Thats awesome, nice to finally know the truth. Thats one of the down sides to having a kit car. Now, I just need to find parts to get it running.

Thanks

-Nick-

Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:26 pm

nbuscemi wrote: Thats awesome, nice to finally know the truth. Thats one of the down sides to having a kit car. Now, I just need to find parts to get it running.

Thanks

-Nick-

Not quite so awesome: Correction :oops:

engine: Feb 1959
chassis: Dec 1957

You'll find details here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:49 am

nbuscemi wrote: Anyway, here are my numbers: 2 29887 on the generator stand

John Moxon wrote:

engine: Feb 1959
chassis: Dec 1957

John,

Shouldn't there be 7 digits on the generator stand?

Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:36 pm

WHAT? I really could care less about the frame, its a dune buggy! I would really like to know what year is my motor, and more so, is it a 36hp or 40hp. If it helps, it came with a 28 PCI carb, not a 28 PICT. Any info on this motor would be great. I have big plans for it (turbo, head work, etc...) I'm trying to see what it'll take to reach triple digit HP #'s.

-Nick-

Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:03 pm

Feb. 1959 is a 36hp engine.

If the generator stand does not remove from the case, it's a 36hp engine.
Example:

Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:14 am

nbuscemi wrote: 2 29887 on the generator stand
Is there a digit between the first 2s? Because there should be 7 digits.

Can you post a photo?

Sat Jun 27, 2009 3:09 pm

Ok, so you guys where right, I did miss a number... there is quiet a bit of dirt and corosion on the stand. The actual number is 2129887. So does this mean its still a 1957, or what?

Thanks for the help!

-Nick-

Sat Jun 27, 2009 3:45 pm

Engine number 2129887 is December, 1957, which is the 1958 model year.