TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1950 January Original Paint L-51 Deluxe (Preservation build)

Sat Jan 04, 2025 5:01 pm

Hello Samba Family.
Introducing my first deluxe model January 1950 11A car. An 85% original Swedish car I acquired from the UK. Change hands a couple times before me and some elbow grease but now I get the opportunity to really do something very cool, correct and everything fully functioning. This will be a preservation build like my DC expect not slammed with a 2 liter, it will be more like a vintage speed from the 50's. I will create and video this build to help inspire others to get their splits back on the road. \:D/ \:D/ \:D/ \:D/

Sat Jan 04, 2025 6:08 pm

So cool, will be watching. Some very early split features on that split. Sems are the "handed" R/L ones, would be interested to know the date codes on those. Taillights are the '49 style with the aluminum ring (rare!). Pods look like ivory bakelite, but the high beam light is on the left. That light swapped sides sometime in January 1950 (I think the actual date is documented somewhere). Would be interested to know the date codes on the pod (if it has one, some don't) and the speedo. Speedo "full circle" graphic is also correct for a '50.

I assume that the wiring needs to be replaced ..... ;-)

Sat Jan 04, 2025 7:31 pm

Very cool! This will be a fun on the follow

Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:20 am

Very cool Spilt! I will be eagerly following along!

Great starting point!

Sun Jan 05, 2025 1:23 am

Very nice,
the lights in pod changed from VIN 140 537, body 89 656 (Etzold 1)
Who knows, how long the L-R sems were used?

Sun Jan 05, 2025 3:19 am

Your 1950 split looks to have a great structure and original parts to make a fantastic project. I will be following your progress with interest and like your thought to go old school rather than slam. One photo you shared shows the distinct bulge on the rear of the front wing where the running board is attached - can you take a photo to show how closely the running board follows the wing profile from a plan view. I have a 54 which had a replacement left front wing early on in its existence and that replacement has the distinct bulge.

Sun Jan 05, 2025 3:56 am

[quote="Two Glove Boxes"]Hello Samba Family.
Introducing my first deluxe model January 1950 11A car.

What is the knob in the middle of the dash for?
(imo, it looks similar as 356 pre A and A vent or choke pull)

Sun Jan 05, 2025 5:13 am

Such a nice original car. These first deluxe cars still run cable brakes and no window trim. Strange to think nowadays the alutrim rear lights represent 10% of the cars value!
Another interesting feature, it’s the last to have no louvres in the rain tray panel behind the air intake grill. These were deleted in 44 and not reintroduced until 51 I think.
To me it’s the car that kicked off Volkswagen as a German owned car manufacturer. But it was conceived while still under British army management. A fascinating post war period.

Mon Jan 06, 2025 2:20 am

Fantastic car and project !

Keep us informed on the progress!

Bests

Antoine

Mon Jan 06, 2025 7:02 am

Look forward to progress! Nice looking 50

Mon Jan 06, 2025 8:52 am

can't wait to watch this one!

Mon Jan 06, 2025 7:17 pm

[quote="wagen19"] Two Glove Boxes wrote: Hello Samba Family.
Introducing my first deluxe model January 1950 11A car.

What is the knob in the middle of the dash for?
(imo, it looks similar as 356 pre A and A vent or choke pull)

I think it is a 356 light switch that someone used when the pod switch stopped working so I will be removing that and getting the pod 100% functioning, I got some NOS switches on the way.

Mon Jan 06, 2025 7:27 pm

Thank you, guys. I will be doing as much as possible once parts start to arrive. I have one of John's amazing harnesses coming, and the L-R sems I believe it was no later than the early 1950s but not certain. I plan on having the speedo rebuilt but not restored, so once it's out, I can check for date stamps.

Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:41 am

Congratulations! This will be a fun one to watch, thank you for sharing

Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:59 am

:popcorn:

Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:16 pm

Two Glove Boxes wrote: Hello Samba Family.
Introducing my first deluxe model January 1950 11A car. An 85% original Swedish car I acquired from the UK. Change hands a couple times before me and some elbow grease but now I get the opportunity to really do something very cool, correct and everything fully functioning. This will be a preservation build like my DC expect not slammed with a 2 liter, it will be more like a vintage speed from the 50's. I will create and video this build to help inspire others to get their splits back on the road. \:D/ \:D/ \:D/ \:D/

Hey brother, This is awesome! I can't wait to see the transformation!

Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:47 pm

Congratulations bro, like I told you I was lucky enough to ride in it in the UK and its pretty much all original, but we know what you're capable of doing so it's definitely in the right hands. following for sure and I call shotgun when your done

Thu Jan 09, 2025 6:17 pm

Nice Pepsi machine!

(The car is nice too.)

Thu Jan 09, 2025 7:36 pm

I have been restoring early sems for 20+ years and keep a spreadsheet of every one that I get my hands on, by type and date code. The latest right/left sems I have have seen are date coded April 1950.

Fri Jan 10, 2025 10:32 am

Rich's 50 wrote: Congratulations bro, like I told you I was lucky enough to ride in it in the UK and its pretty much all original, but we know what you're capable of doing so it's definitely in the right hands. following for sure and I call shotgun when your done

Much appreciated Rich and for sure when I bring it to Cali! And like I've said before you set the bar with splits for many years and want to keep bringing more back to life!

Blue Baron: Thanks it's a 50's that I've owned for 15 years and houses my favorite Stouts and rare IPA's for my funny mustache friends. :lol: :lol:

FRK: Hopefully bring it to the RVA show.

johnshenry: Thanks John for the info and look forward to getting that harness.