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serranr
Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: California
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 Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject: ragtop mechanism for a 56 oval |
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| i just bought a 56 oval ragtop and all i have for a the ragtop is the 2 siderails. does anyone know where i could find a diagram or list of what i need to make this ragtop assembly work? |
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David
Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004
Posts: 2050
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the samba!
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Cheers,
Dave
*October '54 Ragtop
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Pharquarx
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2005
Posts: 249
Location: Southern California (Orange County)
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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I will post the pages out of the VW workshop manual that I have for my 56 tomorrow. It will at least provide a start. Photos to follow when I go see mine at the body shop this weekend.
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Charlie
Stock 67 Vert Under Restoration
1958 Lambretta TV175 Series 1
1957 Vespa Messerschmitt 150 GS
1951 Douglas Vespa Rod Type (First month of production!!!)
1970 Triumph T120R (Bonneville)
1950 Vincent Comet
1952 Moto Rumi Sport 125
1973 Ducati 750 Sport |
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Kais Collection 
vintage treasures
Joined: February 18, 2005
Posts: 1570
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:14 am Post subject: Re: ragtop mechanism for a 56 oval |
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| serranr wrote: |
| i just bought a 56 oval ragtop and all i have for a the ragtop is the 2 siderails. does anyone know where i could find a diagram or list of what i need to make this ragtop assembly work? |
Here's a pic of mine, to get a bit of an idea. I'm sure others will have more/better pics:
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Insta: @kaiscollectionvt
Fb: @KaisCollectionVT
Please check my ads: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=Kais+Collection
Kai's Collection - vintage treasures |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:57 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
Congrats on your oval rag.
1956 was an odd year for the ragtop unit. They went from the 3 fold to two fold roof.
IF this is an original factory top and not a graft in from another year you have a major hurdle if you wish to go stock and factory correct.
There were three (3) different rag tops installed in 1956.
The early model chassis number 1 0929 746 Aug 4, 1955, had a 2 fold roof with one end square corners and one rounded.
The mid model chassis number 1 024 647 November 1955, has the 2 fold and had one end square and one end rounded corners. this newer mechanism will NOT fit into the earlier hole.
The late model Chassis # 1 181 041 May 7, 1956, had all 4 corners rounded off and this is what was used until the end of the ragtop ending in 1963 in the USA, though Europe had them through 1967 on their standard models.
As I said, I've read that the mid and late 2 fold mechanism will NOT fit in the early 2 fold hole. I cannot tell you what the difference is exactly in the mechanism but I think they changed the size of the hole.
Hopefully someone will post with hands onl experience that can tell what the difference is.
The mid and late model changes were differences in the rear plate mounting system and the shape of the plate. You can put in a later mechanism into a mid hole by modifying and making holes for the studs in the back of the roof opening. Does the rear of your opening has slots in the metal or holes with nuts welded from the underside? The latest roof has the slots in the roof.
If you have a very early ragtop, you may have serious issues finding a mechanism unless someone knows how to modify one. If your chassis number Identifies you as an early ragtop, post dimensions of the opening and I'll measure my late one and see how different they are.
If you can, post a photo of the roof area and look carefully for signs of the roof unit having been welded into the car at a later point, sadly some are not very well done at all and it is easy to see problems with the installation.
How's your knowledge of German ??
This site has everything you need to know about installing and adjusting your top.....but it is all in German. I have it scanned in English if that will help, PM me and let me know.
http://www.vw-classic.net/repleitfaden_typ11_52_57/repleitfaden_52_57_kapitel_A.pdf
You want section 10 Schiebedach which is the sunroof.
This site contains the entire 52 -57 Bentley (official VW repair manuals) of the Beetle. The pictures are great and it is page for page the exact same book as the English USA version.
Best of luck
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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kalisparky
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2007
Posts: 7
Location: california
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| Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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if you haven't found the manual let me know and I will email it to you.
kalisparky |
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CNC-Meister
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2007
Posts: 6
Location: U.K
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:02 am Post subject: |
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Hi Guys,
I am in the process of grafting in a Golde to my 56 oval, going to have to use a 2 fold with rounded corners all round as the round/square corner versions are rather elusive. It doesn't look kike it'll be more than a couple of months out from the correct period detail though (I had previously been told the 56 was a 3 fold).
DJKEEV can you post a link up to the scanned english version of that manual, my German is a bit rusty!
Alternatively I can PM you my e-mail address so you could mail it to me if you don't mind?
Thanks |
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