TheSamba.com :: View topic - Official 1960-1961 registry and restoration guide thread.

Sat May 14, 2011 2:22 pm

Please post your BC info here and any specific build questions/comments.

Thanks TheSamba for making it easier for us to build correct cars and keeping them alive!

Sat May 14, 2011 4:35 pm

Purchased in 1991 for $125, has over 300,000 miles with over 6 engines, and 3 transmissions since purchased.

Vin: 29090XX
Feb 1960
European delivery
L 436 Indigo Blue

Special features:

60-61 only 3 finger apron
came with 58-59 plastic visor which looked original to the car even though PR states it should be a padded one. Maybe different for euro spec. was different. Also had a 58-59 style wiring harness that also looked original to the car.

Entered U.S. as gray market so bumper over riders were installed and semaphores were leaded closed.

Sunroof was grafted in due to extensive roof damage (kids used it as a trampoline I guess) and what looks like a ton of hail damage which was repaired by PO with over an inch of bondo.

Still sporting its original black plates issued in 63.

Sat May 14, 2011 6:01 pm

1960 only specifics

Black hood crest
One year only 3 finger apron
3 rib pressing in vin plate area
large vin plate with made in western germany at the bottom of the plate (formally small separate tab)
Rubber wire tube conduit for head light wiring (formally steel tube)
Last year for cast chrome dash trim and matching dash grills (small hole)
Last year for no passenger side foot rest
Last year or semaphores (domestic market)
One year only front trans mount
One year only oil dip stick
One year only inner rear apron panel
One year only door handle with vertical key slot
Last year for H rear apron

More related threads:

Turn signal switch

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=220203
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=460420
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=421974

Ceramic green specifics

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458324

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3684157.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3684170.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3684179.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3684180.jpg

1961 buyers guide

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=460792

1960 only door handle

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=385060
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=432195

August 1960 engine and other details

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=449840

Fender ID thread

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=448426
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=386056

1960 only trans mount

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=444274
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=441083
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=435986

1960 rear view mirror

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=438274

1960 front apron

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=436299

1960-1961 steering wheel and horn

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=369613
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=435986
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379742
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=348964

1960 euro specifics

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242532

1960 only dipstick

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=420789

1960 interior

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=400732

1960 gas tank color

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=374205

1960 only vin tag

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=354555

1960-1961 non snowflake tail lights

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=347614

1960 front sheet metal

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=344613

Hood props

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=463676

Sat May 14, 2011 6:01 pm

1961 only specifics

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=173461

1961 hood

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=250199

Sat May 14, 2011 8:12 pm

Lots of great info here. I have not looked through everything yet, but in case its not known, early 60's had a 4 rib front apron, same as a 59.

Sat May 14, 2011 10:44 pm

potentvw wrote: Lots of great info here. I have not looked through everything yet, but in case its not known, early 60's had a 4 rib front apron, same as a 59.

Correct. We are trying to find out the actual vin cut off for this, do you have a early 60 with a four finger apron?

Sun May 15, 2011 9:26 am

My 60 has the 4 finger apron. Built Dec10, 59

Hard to see.....but it has 4.

Found an old pic when she was fresh out of the barn that show the 4 fingers.

Sun May 15, 2011 11:04 am

Thanks.

Wow your gas heater is mounted on the passenger side to boot! Any other accessories? What kind of visors do you have?

Sun May 15, 2011 11:43 am

Padded visors. Has the round VDO gas gauge but missing the sender. Tank got changed out and I guess the sender went with the old one. :cry:

I had taken the heater out but it leaves an ugly hole so I put it back in.

Sun May 15, 2011 12:03 pm

Would you mind posting pics of your gauge, there seem to be different dash grills that were used. One with the slots surrounding the gauge and the other one with straight cut off slots. Do you know if it was a dealer install or factory? BC?

Sun May 15, 2011 12:28 pm

Not sure about the gauge but Im thinking dealer install maybe?????

Steering wheel isnt correct....horn ring hoop isnt broke off....never was one and wheel doesnt have cut out for it.

BC

Sun May 15, 2011 12:39 pm

Zekes'Low60 wrote: Not sure about the gauge but Im thinking dealer install maybe?????

The only way to tell dealer vs. factory is with a BC. Here is my gauge that I pulled off an early 61

My car is a 60 I just couldnt get all the steering wheel parts together so I slapped on a 59 wheel and column I had.

Thanks for the info!

Sun May 15, 2011 12:52 pm

I've owned this beetle for 22 years now. Purchased in Lake Arrowhead for $680. Built 13 January 1961. Delivered to the USA.

It has a three finger front apron
screw terminal wiring
no foot rest
had a plastic plug in the dash for a choke cable now running a 36 hp.
red handled oil dip stick
H rear apron
vertical door handle keyway
1960 type turn signal switch

I believe it is an original sunroof although the birth cert does not indicate this. I base this on my last headlner install. The OG color was Pearl white it was green when I got it.

Sun May 15, 2011 1:01 pm

derluftwagen wrote: Still sporting its original black plates issued in 63.

Fyi, according to the plate number is was originally registered out of Hathorne Ca. 8)

Sun May 15, 2011 1:34 pm

This is exactly what I am talking about, many "60 only" features on a mid year 61.

Could you please post you vin so I can add it to the registry and we can narrow down the actual cut off for the various listings?

Thanks

Sun May 15, 2011 2:56 pm

vin # 3 591 436

honestly some things like door handles, turn signals and dip stick are very easy to change. Others like the lack of a foot well and aprons and wiring would be dificult to change.

Sun May 15, 2011 3:06 pm

tasb wrote: Others like the lack of a foot well and aprons and wiring would be dificult to change.

Do you mean the foot rest? I had to put one in on mine due to the 61 up rubber mat I got at a swap. What I found strange is my 60 already had the slot for the foot rest tab in the firewall stamping.

BTW thanks for the vin

Sun May 15, 2011 3:21 pm

My 60 has a passenger foot rest. built Jan 60

Sun May 15, 2011 3:38 pm

Not sure if mine came with a footrest but it has the slot.

Sun May 15, 2011 8:47 pm

tasb wrote: vin # 3 591 436

honestly some things like door handles, turn signals and dip stick are very easy to change. Others like the lack of a foot well and aprons and wiring would be dificult to change.

We owned #3509444 from '66 to '71 and it had all of the '61 features, but still had the 4-tab hood. I'm guessing your car was rolled early in its life and the og '61 hardtop body was swapped out for a '60 ragtop body.