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Tue Jun 18, 2024 11:25 am

EverettB wrote: johnnyvw164 wrote: Bumping this inquiry up, hopefully some new eyes may see it:

Does anyone in the NH area have any information on "VW Sales and Service, Inc" located in Keene NH? ...

Maybe the same location?

If you have some photos of dealer materials I would add it to the listing here.

Based on johnnyvw164's post over in a FB group - the two are the same address.

I had a similar experience with a dealer in South Carolina who's name had varied slightly over the years. This may be a common thing due to business restructuring, moving around of a$$sets, etc.

Hopefully he posts back up soon, love seeing these things develop.

Wed Jun 19, 2024 11:11 pm

Sorry,no, it's not the same address. But it is the same phone number, so it's possible it's the same company under a different name.
Actually, I just tried using google maps...which couldn't find a State st. So maybe it's the same place and the dealer listing has the address stated wrong

Thu Jun 20, 2024 10:06 am

Looking at the map I think either the dealer listing has a typo or the street changed names from "West State St" to simply "West St".

The street number is different too, 447 vs. 477, but basically the same spot so maybe just a change of building in the same complex or things were renumbered.

My best guesses...

Thu Jun 20, 2024 12:27 pm

There is no State Street, nor West State Street in Keene, NH.
However, a dealership appears on historic aerials on the north east corner of West Street and Rt 9. Currently, the property is the T Bird Mini Mart with a car wash behind it.

Sat Jun 22, 2024 9:18 am

The October 1969 dealer directory shows it as "Volkswagen Sales & Service, Inc., 447 West State St."

Sun Jun 23, 2024 7:22 am

EverettB wrote: Looking at the map I think either the dealer listing has a typo or the street changed names from "West State St" to simply "West St".

The street number is different too, 447 vs. 477, but basically the same spot so maybe just a change of building in the same complex or things were renumbered.

My best guesses...

I would agree...

Mon Jun 24, 2024 10:14 am

Really early frame just sold on ebay and it was broken ... just as reference what very early frames go for now

Mon Jun 24, 2024 10:34 am

Crazy to me on price but in terms of being broken, that is pretty nice overall.

Easy to hide that issue with a washer - I wouldn't even want to fix it.

Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:26 am

Dave wrote: my 57 hardtop Beetle was delivered to St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, and all I have been able to find is the dealership, incorporated in December 1956, called Import Motors, Ltd. Researching the Samba, all I have found is a paper document showing transportation costs from Port Of Entry Toronto to St. Johns...does anyone know if they even made license plate frames, and if so, if anyone has one would they be willing to let go of it?

Hi Dave!
Just wanted to ask whether you found any additional information on your car? ...anything re. previous ownership? Just curious, and this would be an incredible coincidence, but I live in St. John's, Newfoundland. A friend of my Mom's had a VW Beetle, which she bought back around 1957, and she drove it to NY, and then across country to California (ending up in San Francisco). She stayed in California, and still lives there now. I wonder if this might have been that car (her car)?
As an additional coincidence, my Father-in-Law worked at Import Motors during the 60s, and I believe he still has some dealership paraphernalia from that time? I will check to see what he might have, and what he might be willing to part with ...I could send to you for simply the cost of shipping.
Cheers,
Brian

Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:07 pm

Here’s a new frame for the archives.

I can’t find the dealer listed in the PDL or the VW dealers list but if I had to guess it’s early 70s.

I’ve also never seen frames with these stars in the corners. Any others like this?

Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:23 pm

Thanks, I have that one.
I must have seen that plate frame recently or someone sent it in:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/dealers/vistavw_yakima_wa.php

I'm not sure when it's from either but there was a Vista VW in Idaho Falls, ID too:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/dealers/vistavw_idahofalls_id.php

I've seen stars like that on another plate frame but I can't remember right now which one it was.
I think it was another one from WA or OR

Edit: I might have been thinking of 5 Star Motors, not 100% sure:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/dealers/fivestarmotors_coosbay_or.php

Sat Jul 13, 2024 10:29 pm

Great detective skills. I didn’t even think to check across the border.

I bought this one off eBay. I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw it.

Tue Aug 13, 2024 2:42 pm

Just coming through to show off some restored bling.
My years-long hunt for a Friar frame was well documented in this thread, I had been chasing one in particular that surfaced a few miles from the dealer but long story short, it took lots of patience to convince the owner that I wasn’t a flipper and was going to put it on my car from Friar. After my offer has climbed above $600 he ultimately handed it to me and said to enjoy it.
It was nice but had a small crack in the bolt hole and was spray painted and poorly recolored. It was no longer “original” and needed to be restored to match the car. I got a call today that it was finished and would be arriving to me tomorrow.

Tue Aug 13, 2024 9:29 pm

Nice! It's neat to see it with fresh chrome, so shiny vs. old plate frames

Thu Aug 15, 2024 6:13 am

Just scored this one on ebay too bad its a non vw dealership frame but early and has a cool dealership name probably a used car lot dealership.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 9:10 am

restojohnny wrote: Just scored this one on ebay too bad its a non vw dealership frame but early and has a cool dealership name probably a used car lot dealership.

James F. Waters Automotive
Desoto/Plymouth Dealer

Good info below..
http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/w/waters/waters.htm

Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:06 pm

Sweet ... man that was a long but very cool/interesting read 😎 thanks brotha 😃

Tue Sep 17, 2024 9:29 am

Has anyone seen these plate frames before? I have not, and am interested in their history. I was told by the seller that they were Canadian, but I see no evidence of that on the frames themselves... all it says on the back side is "Made in U.S.A".
I suspect that the Canadian connection was made due to the 50's dealer brochure with the same title.

Regardless of their history, they are going on my '58 sedan, but any info would be appreciated.

Tue Sep 17, 2024 9:35 am

Another related question I had is if these frames were actually chrome plated, or just maybe polished, zinc plated with a clear chromate conversion on top. All the rechromed ones I have seen fill in the majority of the pattern in the background of the text area.
I presume these frames were made as cheaply as possible (hence the pot metal used), so I was wondering if maybe chrome was not used at all.
Just curious.

Tue Sep 17, 2024 12:48 pm

Check out this post
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10242186#10242186

As far as I know they were all chromed, even though its pot metal.
Maybe the textured part was not chromed as much? Not sure on that.