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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 6:13 pm Post subject: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Which years/models of Beetle had factory access windows in the kick panels, which looks like a forethought to simplify defroster tube replacement at the rocker/heater tube location? |
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panicman Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2011 Posts: 2290 Location: Canby, OR
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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As far as I am aware, bugs only have a very small access hole in the kickpanel area near where the heater channel outlet tube is at the front of the car. The hole is about the size of a nickel I think. _________________ Plate of shrimp |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Okay, the picture is a little more clear now that I got these photos from my buddy. These are from his 1966 U.S. convertible. So it turns out that only the driver's side has the window (which discounts the defrost tube theory), and it definitely looks factory judging by the rolled edges, original paint and carpet adhesive all around it. What's interesting are what appear to be some sort of tooling holes or something, on both sides of the car, which are symmetrical from side to side.
For comparison, his '68 vert (which used to be mine ) and his '78 vert, don't have these. I seem to recall a post, maybe by Tim Donahoe, that showed one that he had or had seen, maybe even with a pic. But these kick panel openings do seem to be rare.
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panicman Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2011 Posts: 2290 Location: Canby, OR
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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I didn’t even consider a ‘vert. I haven’t owned or picked through one, and I know they have a different stiffenening structure. _________________ Plate of shrimp |
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 7028 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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With it only being on the driver's side, I'd guess its purpose was more likely to facilitate installation of the wire harness. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Yeah, I didn't mention in my opening post that my subject vehicle was a convertible.
We were thinking it may have had something to do with the harness too. Be interesting to hear more input.
Thanks. |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34021 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Those 4 round holes don't look factory. Maybe used for a brace during a body R&R on the pan? |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 11:42 am Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Perhaps...I haven't had my eyes on this car in person. But he's had it a couple decades, and it's largely in original paint, and we have no reason to believe it's ever been rehabbed in any way. I don't know that anybody repairing it would've put effort into placing those holes symmetrically. |
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Herrbern Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2008 Posts: 349 Location: Luxembourg, Europe
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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KTPhil wrote: |
Those 4 round holes don't look factory. Maybe used for a brace during a body R&R on the pan? |
My 67 vert has the identical holes in the side kick panels. And I am wondering why. |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26325 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Beats me! However, my experience is with Sedans which only have the small hole down there up there. By the early 70s, both sides gained a larger access hole on both sides though, the early small holes were a joke and not really even usable.
_________________ Andy T.
IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox. |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Herrbern wrote: |
My 67 vert has the identical holes in the side kick panels. And I am wondering why. |
Good stuff! Herrbern, for my clarification: your '67 vert has the four round holes and the rectangular access window? I'm glad you found this thread and have this input.
I am incapable of doing multiple quotes, but...Andy, is that last pic with the huge square opening from a 'vert or sedan?
I still believe that some holes were for tooling, and others actually served some assembly or maintenance purpose...what these particular ones are specifically for, I am not speculating here |
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VOLKSWAGNUT Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007 Posts: 11056 Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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You simply cant compare Sedans to Convertibles in that area... they are visually different.
The large rectangular hole on convertibles were for wiring harness facilitating.
..
Topic
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=614699
1964 and older model year the hole is smaller and on the right.
1965 and newer model year the hole is on the left.
(convertibles)
The small round holes on convertibles are believed to be for jigging while welding the inner front quarter support that sedans do not have.
. _________________ aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26325 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Busstom wrote: |
I am incapable of doing multiple quotes, but...Andy, is that last pic with the huge square opening from a 'vert or sedan? |
I tried to preface my comment as to it being 1970s Sedan... As for that particular example I think it was a 1973 Super Beetle Sedan. _________________ Andy T.
IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.
Last edited by glutamodo on Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Factory Defrost Tube Access Windows |
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Excellent! Thanks for the link, all those pics confirm my suspicion regarding originality. |
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