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Sun Apr 02, 2023 5:56 pm

post ‘55 reserve switch rotates 90° between the on & reserve

1955 and earlier Beetles the reserve switch rotates 180° between on & reserve is there a such thing as a proper reserve extension handle for a ‘55 down beetle?

Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:52 am

If there was one what what would be physically different?

I have an O.G. extension on my 54', and fairly sure the little label trim thing I have is from a 356. But the extension works the same. The only *different* version of the extension I've ever seen is that one with the U-joint type thing built in. That would help with the 180* swivel, but I sort of don't think that it's original?

Not sure...looks old enough?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2559063

Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:09 am

I don’t expect there would be any physical difference to the lever , only the tag would be labeled to show the 3 positions spread over a 1/2 format instead of 1/4
That ring is def 356 and is the correct orientation to the 55 and earlier Beetle, but reversed ?

The blank tag option seen in your link i suppose is a good option but not so helpful in remembering which position is which

Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:37 am

early

late

Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:41 am

Your lever is pointing DOWN! Refer to manual for correct position and specification SIR!

I think the usual thing for knowing which position is which is just to hope you flipped it back to AUF last time, then kick it 180* and hope you get lucky.

OR* You install a low fuel light that is turned on by the reserve switch when you put in on reserve...for us cheap-o's who don't have the fancy Motometer gauge with the light or the bell.

Oh yeah! U got my Fenders? Can you email those to me? I'm basically done with everything, that's the last thing I've been waiting on for show season APPLE BLOSSOM SOMBRERO TIME!!

Mon Apr 03, 2023 11:45 am

Here's an early one , kinda odd

Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:19 pm

It is a great idea having a visual indicator of being on reserve. My mom used to tie a bright red cloth over the steering wheel spoke to indicate reserve.

My memories of driving the car is you gotta be quick to flip that lever with your foot without losing too much speed. The lever being up at the dash and visible makes a lot of sense and maybe quicker to flip.

Oh, the personality of these cars......! :lol:

Mon Apr 10, 2023 2:04 am

Yeah, "quickness" is helpful with the reserve tank handle. I have the stock original fuel tap on my June of 1955 produced Deluxe Sunroof Beetle, no accessory extension lever. Since buying it back in 1993 I have only run out of fuel while the tap lever was in the main tank position while driving along at speed a couple of times. As the engine started to starve for fuel and make the low fuel level issue obvious to me, I quickly took my right foot off the accelerator and used my foot to swing the metal tap lever on the forward wall to the reserve position and the engine quickly received fuel and resumed full operational power and speed. The system and design worked fine! Just hit the next gas station for fuel and definitely remember to return that tap lever to the main tank position again.

I don't think I'd trust the strength of the accessory tap extension levers over simply using my foot, and I have two accessory tap levers in my collection. I just never felt the need to install 'em.

Bill Bowman

Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:44 am

I had to add a warning light, turns on on any position that isn't AUF.

Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:25 am

Bub wrote: I had to add a warning light, turns on on any position that isn't AUF.

That is CLEAN! I love it.

Josh

Sat Apr 15, 2023 4:32 am

Does anyone have a picture of one installed on a '57?

I figure I can cobble one together from some aluminum rod pretty easily.

d

Fri Jul 07, 2023 1:06 pm

7.7.2023

Who sells these or the Chinese repops ? .

I need one for my daily driver '59 Bug .

Also a mileage counter for the dash board, someone's GOT to have these affordably .

TIA,

Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:56 am

saw this
https://project-therapy.com/products/mileage-counter-suction-cup-version?variant=44232995274883

Fri Jul 26, 2024 7:25 pm

THANK YOU ! .

As it turned out I bought one of the black ones and added a small rare earth magnet to it, the wheels were not very well held from turning, sometimes they'd change as I was driving so I took it apart and Lo ! the thing holding the wheels from turning was simply stiff paper so I cut a rectangle of thin plastic and now it works perfectly like it should .

I'm off to peruse that website's pages of cool Farkels .