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Mon Jul 14, 2025 5:14 am

Hello,

I bought a 1956 oval window beetle (with a ragtop). It was left "to be reassembled" by the previous owner.

Can someone please tell me if this piece of painted metal a part of the vehicle? Where does it go?
Could it a part from a different car?

Could it be related to the ragtop mecanism?

Thanks

Mon Jul 14, 2025 5:31 am

This part is not for the sunroof. It is a cover for the front hood release mechanism. The "U" shaped cut out is where the end of the metal tube that holds the hood release cable fits.

Mon Jul 14, 2025 5:38 am

Indeed!

Thank you very much for you quick answer.

Mon Jul 14, 2025 10:42 am

Here you can see it installed (black piece) :

Tue Jul 15, 2025 12:23 am

yes it needs to be black, not body color !

Tue Jul 15, 2025 1:00 am

Thanks @banana split for the photo, and @djfordmanjack for the info about the color.

By the way, if I compare the lock mechanism between my 58 and my 56 oval, I see a small difference. One is attached to the front apron with 4 bolts (58'), the other with only 3 bolts (oval).

Is that correct?

Tue Jul 15, 2025 2:03 pm

no it's the other way around ! old version is 4 bolt, new one is 3 bolt. my 54 has 4 bolts. Maybe something has been replaced on your cars. I am not 100% sure but since a 58 still has basically parts of the oval front body, it could also have a 4 bolt hood latch, my 61 has a 3 bolt.

Wed Jul 16, 2025 8:01 am

"djfordmanjack" is right on the money. You should have a "four finger" style front apron with four sloted holes for a four bolt hood latch/catch mechanism with that black cover on your Oval. Many Ovals had acident damage or rust over so many decades of use and a previous owner may have bought what was available back then (later style two or three finger front apron) to repair the damage.

Bill Bowman