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Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:25 pm

So I am super excited to show off my new purchase! Just picked up this '57 Euro Ragtop, and while it definitely needs some work, it is a pretty solid start and should be driveable pretty soon! Numbers-matching body, chassis, and engine from January '57 based on the VIN database. Should know more after I get the birth certificate back - I have no idea which country it was originally destined for...

Picked it up in Idaho, where the story goes that in Oregon the previous owner shipped it over from Europe via the military - I have Oregon registrations from 1974-1982 from that owner... It looks to be originally Horizon blue considering the dash and the fact that the original polka dot blue fabric interior is still there.

Washed it off on the way home to get some of the Idaho mud from the tires

Safely home with my '67 Westy:

Started to dig into the seat covers because I could see some hints of blue polka dot cloth, and this is the FIRST time I've ever thanked a previous owner for installing ugly seat covers that protected the cloth! The driver's seat has some rips, but not too bad for 64 years old!!!

Before:

After:

Finally, saw some stamped numbers on the rear seat back - has anyone else seen these before? Looks to say '675' or '875':

I'll keep posting some progress shots here!

Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:32 pm

Hell ya, that is bad-ass!

Is it repainted on the outside or just dirty? I wasn't sure.

Is it slammed? I'm confused on that too.

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:10 pm

SCORE!!!!

Nice find! You gotta be stoked!

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:32 pm

Everett, it has somewhat of a silvery blue color painted via rattle can, and at some point was hit in the front as the front LH fender isn’t original and LH inner structure is tweaked, but came with a second front end to graft panels in.
It’s lowered with adjustable beam and front disc brakes. Came with original beam tho too - drum to drum!

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:38 pm

… nothing like a semaphore car - not a big fan of bullets - like your top-mount peanuts, much better - that's a beauty.
z

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:47 pm

1958ghia wrote:

Very cool score!! I have the same fabric in my Swedish delivery oval and the fabric is also stenciled. It's my understanding that cars built in Belgium would get interior sets shipped to the builder to ensure the sets were installed in the right car. But I don't think my car was built in Belgium, per the BC. But the stenciling is original, for sure.

I'm wondering if the color will actually come back as Strato Silver :wink:

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:47 pm

Those peanuts are coming off and holes welded up, I’ll use the semaphores!
Thanks!!

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:51 pm

Kent, I forgot the dash pic, definitely Horizon Blue..

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:52 pm

1958ghia wrote: Kent, I forgot the dash pic, definitely Horizon Blue..

Ah, yes! Horizon Blue. You have an exciting new toy \:D/

Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:54 pm

1958ghia wrote: Those peanuts are coming off and holes welded up, I’ll use the semaphores!
Thanks!!

as a practical note, turn signals are a LOT safer (I kinda wish I had them when I drive my '56). But nothing beats the cool factor of functioning sems 8)

Wed Jul 29, 2020 10:02 pm

Awesome color and awesome interior. It looks like the numbers on the speedo are blue too.

Thu Jul 30, 2020 1:01 am

Nice purchase :D

Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:39 am

Bustom - yes they are a bit brighter blue than I've seen before. It is a MPH speedo that is dated a couple months after my car was built, so I will be searching for a KPH speedo with 1/57 date if I can ever find something like that! :)

Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:31 am

Very cool, I've never seen one like it before. I'd be interested in buying it from you if you ever decide to part with it. :wink:

Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:25 am

bloody hell! these dry cars you folks find...are you going to wipe off the respray and keep it patina?

Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:44 am

finster - yep I found it out in Idaho (outside of Boise), but it spent a ton of time in southeastern Oregon where it is VERY dry! I am hoping to get the respray taken off with some steel wool and acetone/paint thinner - but does anyone have any recommendations on method?

Also, any recommendations on method for cleaning the OG seat upholstery? I have a small Bissell handheld unit that I was going to use in conjunction with typical upholstery/carpet cleaner.

Busstom - I'll keep that in mind! :)

Thu Jul 30, 2020 11:52 am

take care with the upholstery cleaning. a good dry vacuuming with an upholstery brush/crevice nozzle will remove a lot of that dust and dirt - but be gentle with it.

Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:41 am

Beautiful car, I have a 56 euro rag myself, hope to have her complete soon. Take care of that gem.

Fri Jul 31, 2020 10:05 am

1958ghia wrote: So I am super excited to show off my new purchase!

!

Is this where you found it? Parked next to a corn field? :) :)

Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:46 pm

1958ghia wrote: I am hoping to get the respray taken off with some steel wool and acetone/paint thinner - but does anyone have any recommendations on method?

My buddy Jack removed all the paint from my former '59 Westy (now his). It was a long process, but he learned a lot. Shoot him a PM if you have questions.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=120