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  View original topic: Could this be a very early engine and transmission ??
Hekkie Fri Aug 01, 2025 2:12 am

While taking a photo on vacation, I happened to see this half engine and a complete gearbox. Could this be a very early engine and gearbox? Unfortunately unusable!







finster Fri Aug 01, 2025 6:22 am

dec 1950 engine number?

EverettB Fri Aug 01, 2025 11:18 am

What is the engine #?

It looks like -20-0258???

This is from Dec, 1950

Do you have any photos of the numbers on the left side of the generator stand?

The transmission is Barndoor Bus too but I can't tell if it's super early.

dinsdale Sat Aug 02, 2025 11:49 am

finster wrote: dec 1950 engine number?
Looks like it.

20-0258521 ?

2nd to last digit is the most difficult.

Hekkie Thu Aug 07, 2025 1:43 am

The other number on the generator stand is -264586-


EverettB Thu Aug 07, 2025 9:26 am

There are not normally numbers on the right side of the generator stand like that.

Are there any small numbers on the left side?

They would be in small circles, like this:

Hekkie Fri Aug 08, 2025 11:44 am

ok, here they are


Hekkie Fri Aug 08, 2025 11:46 am

What do these numbers mean? I'm only familiar with Beetles and VW 411s.

EverettB Fri Aug 08, 2025 3:49 pm

Ooops, I thought I had posted the Forums thread about the numbers.

Engine Case Production Date
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=380362

13 11 20 = 13th of November, 1950

2 means 2nd shift in the factory

Hekkie Sat Aug 09, 2025 1:58 am

ok, thats an early one. thank you.

djfordmanjack Sat Aug 09, 2025 11:56 pm

Nice! if you are a die hard VW fan, this case half would look great as is mounted on a wall ( painted VW blue) and getting used as a coat rack.

if the wife let's you.... :wink:

Hekkie Sun Aug 10, 2025 2:54 am

:lol:
Good idea, I hadn't thought of that. My wife won't exactly appreciate it in the house, but I have a big garage, and I'm the boss there! :twisted:

djfordmanjack Sun Aug 10, 2025 3:43 am

Great ! :D
the generator stand will make a neat place for your favorite hat too.
now that your forest find started my imagination, it makes me want to go dig out some worn old 30 horse case from my stash and do the same ! :lol:

The pic of the trans axle with the brake backing plate literally grown into the tree is awesome !


Hekkie wrote: :lol:
Good idea, I hadn't thought of that. My wife won't exactly appreciate it in the house, but I have a big garage, and I'm the boss there! :twisted:

djfordmanjack Sun Aug 10, 2025 3:52 am

I wonder if the second number stamped into the side of the generator stand is/was the body number or VIN of a bus.
Even if it's no barndoor era bus VIN# it could easily be a beetle or early Wolfsburg VIN, that the engine may have lived in later on.
it's not impossible that some countries may have mandated the VIN to be included on the engine case and/or it could also just be a refurbishing number.

Hekkie Thu Aug 14, 2025 2:59 am

Maybe it's an engine overhaul number.



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