All Original 1953 Oval, looking for some info.....

[MahoganyMan]

Found this car a few months ago, finally getting some time to play with it..
Will attempt to attach a pic.
First thing I want to address is the front beam.
Sits way to high in front, or maybe, rear is a little low as well.
I'd like to have the original stance.
Beam appears to have been replaced, can't find any #'s, it's in excellent shape.
Previous owner installed Porsche brakes on it, may want to go back to original layout??
Again,
I'll attempt a few pics.
Thanks,
John

[i55]

Keep in mind that the stance of '55 and earlier beetles was slightly higher than '56 and later. Yours does look a little high to me but without side-by-side comparison it's hard to tell. Apparently the earlier models were more prone to roll-over leading to the lower design in the later models.

[Bub]

Definitely looks a little high up front.
Hard to say why- it looks very clean under there. How does it bounce?
Is it really stiff or does it bounce up and down fairly easily?
I'd pull the shocks for starters..not likley to be the problem, but have to start somewhere.
Otherwise nothing looks suspiscious in the pictures. Odds are that's the original front beam- since that is ean early steering box and it looks like it has the large grease fittings, drivers side tie rod isn't adjustable, etc.. Not common to put a new beam on and not upgrade any other single tiny part of the front suspension. But ...you never know.
Early ovals had part of the chassis # stamped on the snub-mount stem, I think on the drivers side? Have a look, wonder if yours is there.

And As far as the brakes, well....it's pretty easy to go from what you have back to stock and come out way ahead. That's tough...i'd consider keeping those brakes if they work and it set up right.
Unless it has 356 spindles it's just a different inner bearing to make those fit, no changes to the car.
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[MahoganyMan]

You were correct,
I found a number stamped in, not sure how to decipher it..
Here it is:
0569641
Any ideas?
Thanks for the help so far.
John

[EverettB]

From the front axle charts on the Beetle VIN page here
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

That front end # is from 11/1953
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[MahoganyMan]

Didn’t see that chart!
Thanks.
The 0 in front doesn’t matter?
John

[EverettB]

I have to say I don't know on that but:

It may have had a 0 prefix in front that was not included in the charts on the site.
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[Rome]

Your Beetle reminds me a lot of one that was in NorCal for many years, in the Petaluma area- owned by the Kircher brothers. I saw it in person in the early 2000's at the Kelley Park VW meet in San Jose, though IIRC it had a bit of a "vintage speed" theme with racing numbers on the doors. Same patina'd dark blue, silver 356 rims.

[MahoganyMan]

This car was owned by one of the brothers, Erich.
I purchased it from his widow in August of this year.