Split/Oval vs. Later Doors

[Richard D]

What are the visible differences from outside the car? I realize there are some differences inside, especially behind the door panel.

[type4split]

Short answer is the skin of 64 and earlier doors are basically the same other than some details around outside handles. Maybe add some addition context around your question and people will chime in..
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'67 deluxe bus w/the little windows
'52 beetle
'55 convertible
'50-something convertible (*need ribbed 'vert quarter panel )
'63 "milo" beetle
Part, parts and more parts

[Richard D]

That’s just my question, thank you very much!

[VW_Jimbo]

[Richard D]

I knew there were a lot of differences on the inside. I was just talking about outward appearance besides the door handles.

[smitty24]

This is a vague question. There are many differences...say mid ‘55 and earlier. Late ‘55-to early 60s (non ice pick / push button door to early ‘64). People say they are mostly the same. I have noticed there is a difference at the outer handle indentation around the ice pick. OG ice pick doors have a slightly different shape here.

My OG 11/55 doors were MIA when I bought the car. I didn’t care to spend stupid money on some battered northwest doors back then. My car came with ‘62 or ‘63 doors. I tore them apart and converted them to ice pick. There was substantial drama changing the strikers on the body to work with the later doors, getting spacing around doors correct by adjusting hinges and brackets...then discovering the differences between Brazilian and German door seals and making further changes. But they work nice now. If I did it again, I’d probably source more correct doors.

[Richard D]

Good to know. I am not doing a restoration. I just want the ice pick doors on my custom Beetle. A purist will know they’re not correct but the average Joe will not.