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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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 Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:20 pm Post subject: '57 vert from Latvia |
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Hi, folks!
The first story, then ask for help.
I'm located in Riga, Latvia (today it's quite a snowy place) and for almost 13 years I have had this great car imported from sunny California - my '57 vert. The legend says - it's been sitting in the fields from the late 70's with the roof down and so it shows  Newerless it was running here in Riga and I drove it for three happy years. And then came 2009. crisis
I parted with many of my cars at that time, but this one was genuinely speaking to me. But then again, needed to rebuild my company, find a place where to settle down, find a new garage... and then C-19 again.... so my favourite car switched seven different workshops and I'm now finally settled and rebuilding it.
The pan already has all the right parts and is ready for assembly, the body is still in the process, but for me, the most unclear thing is what to do with the engine. First - it's matching numbers, but, here comes the second - one cylinder does not have compression, the flywheel has broken the end of the crankshaft, and.... last but not least - I got the Judson supercharger. Like really cheap compared to current prices.
And I've been wondering - since I've abandoned this site for some time, where's definitely been some interesting oval projects and maybe some interesting engine specs to go through and check that's perfect for me. Would be very thankful for any interesting engine projects.
I'm adding a few pics, could add more if there will be such interest. Because me and the car share a lot of history
Factory certificate
Rusty but running with the new roof and stoplights
Traveling to the second workshop - the welder never started the project though
Few details from Latvian VW Beetle Club calendar
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia
Last edited by vabole.lv on Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:19 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: decades and decades of '57 vert |
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Adding few more pics
Rebuilt front beam ready for assambley
Escra raders, rebuilt for narrow tires
Pan and beam comes together
Rebuilding the gearbox
Original engine ready for the new challenges
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia |
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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: decades and decades of '57 vert |
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And the final pack of pics
Testing the colors for the body.
Porsche Slate Grey 6001 vs L225 Jupitergrau vs L469 Anthracite
Decided to go Jupiter Grey, not original, but really good looking paint
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia |
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AlteWagen
Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8721
Location: PNW
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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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| Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2022 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: Decades and decades of restoration of my '57 vert |
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There are still bits of the colour underneath later attempts by some previous owners, but the thing is that I'm a architect/designer and the right look is quite essential for me... and to be honest.... I'm not a great fan of L333. So I'm looking for something period correct and after long research, I came across those 3 colours as my shortlist...
Yes, and one more thing, like 10 years ago when I started my restoration, I was thinking about the rat look option (with the existing matte grey colour) and that's when I ordered the new interior. And it's a combination of different shades of light and dark grey, which does not look good with L333. So, for me, there's no way back to original
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia |
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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: '57 vert from Latvia |
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Today was a day to train the imagination - I really needed some kick to visualize that's the outcome of all evenings in the garage. So I cleaned the dust from my Escras (been sitting for some time) and placed them next to the pan - just to see how my beetle would roll in the spring (or at least in summer).
Next week need to finish the disassembly of the body - everything is removed, just need to unscrew the doors. And then the body goes to sandblasting, but the gearbox meets soda blast. And then I start the opposite - assembly process - first front axle with narrowed beam, and after that - the gearbox and rear axle.
And the engine, of course, but since it's been quite quiet here, I jumped to the VIntage speed section and I'm trying my luck there. I Hope, I'll get the right setup and will be ready to kick the streets in style
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia |
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kaieric 
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2022
Posts: 138
Location: saarbruecken/germany
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| Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2025 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: '57 vert from Latvia |
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hello peteris,
do you have some news for us?
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56 kab
58 kab rhd |
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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2025 1:17 am Post subject: Re: '57 vert from Latvia |
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Unfortunately..... nope!
The car has been stuck at the paint job workshop.... It must have been a year or even more. I also acquired two new hobbies, which required some adjustments. But I'm very motivated to move forward with my cabrio, since there's literally just a small assembly step left
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia |
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mdege
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Joined: January 16, 2018
Posts: 1099
Location: Niederkruechten, Germany
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vabole.lv
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 20
Location: latvia
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2025 3:29 am Post subject: Re: '57 vert from Latvia |
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| mdege wrote: |
You have some really fine cars.
I have been dreaming of circling the Baltic sea with my T1 bus. Maybe one day we will run into each other. |
Thank you, thank you!
Still missing some early aircooled Porsche to top my collection, but... someday 
If you're coming to Riga, feel free to drop a note. We have quite regular parties at my garage. You will meet most of the Latvian aircooled scene there
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'56 oval beetle
'57 convertible
'67 standart beetle
'69 westfalia |
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pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1861
Location: Warren, PA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2025 6:16 am Post subject: Re: '57 vert from Latvia |
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Nice work on the vert. You’re garage looks like a cool place to hang out!
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop (Arschloch)
1973 standard bug (Dirty Gertie)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion |
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kaieric
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2022
Posts: 138
Location: saarbruecken/germany
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2025 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: '57 vert from Latvia |
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| vabole.lv wrote: |
| mdege wrote: |
You have some really fine cars.
I have been dreaming of circling the Baltic sea with my T1 bus. Maybe one day we will run into each other. |
Thank you, thank you!
Still missing some early aircooled Porsche to top my collection, but... someday
If you're coming to Riga, feel free to drop a note. We have quite regular parties at my garage. You will meet most of the Latvian aircooled scene there |
Absolutely. Great collection you've started there—the bus is a real eye-catcher. Theme parties in the garage are among the best parties there are, and great idea having the latvian aicrooled scene with you.
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56 kab
58 kab rhd |
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