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Fri Aug 11, 2023 11:35 am

Hi Guys,

I purchased a '57 Beetle in need of some work. It has had various ' upgrades' over the years which I want to put back to original. My question is, have the vent windows been removed, for whatever reason, and if so can I reinstate them or need new doors? I can't see any evidence of bits being cut out...

Pictures attached

Thanks in advance

Fri Aug 11, 2023 11:38 am

Those look like later doors to me, like maybe '64, that have been converted to one piece windows. You are going to need to find '56 to '59 doors for your car.

Don

Fri Aug 11, 2023 11:52 am

That dash is not a '57 so perhaps the car is a 58 model year or later. Just FYI.

Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:57 pm

ukdubber wrote: I can't see any evidence of bits being cut out...

The bits that were cut out are U-shaped steel channels that are welded into the window opening slot, just above where the window winder handles are. They were actually shaped similarly to the rubber vent wing seal, generally speaking.
Some guys leave the upper portion uncut (at the front end of the window openings) and just jam the new felt channel in place. If and once you remove those existing panes and seals, you'll see where they were whacked out.

A firm used to re-pop the replacements, but I haven't been able to find them recently for you or another poster who had the same concern.

Edit: Here you go, this chap made his own, but on page 2, they're shown and listed. You may be able to locate them still.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20

Sat Aug 12, 2023 2:48 am

Dan22 wrote: That dash is not a '57 so perhaps the car is a 58 model year or later. Just FYI.

Yeah it's a November '57, large rear window so it's technically a '58