Hood crests

[53 0val]

[jays58s]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[jays58s]

[janerick3]

"That's what I thought, don't you have a 53 or 55 that's pretty original? I'm curious what month they changed from the blue/green crest to the black/red green me?"

My original crest form my '54 was stolen off the car in 1994 and I don't have any photos of it. There was a photo once on this thread of an identical crest, but likely was on Photobucket, so it's long gone. The kid who was the prime suspect in the theft ended up marrying a MUCH larger woman, so revenge is sweet.

Progressive Refinements does not identify the changeover date from blue to black crests, so I believe 6 August 1959 (start of 1960 model year) is a safe bet. The one on your '60 was likely installed by the original owner or swapped at the dealership.

As for four versus three brick crests, I went through the entire thread and, with one exception (bottom of p. 13), supports my position that four-brick crests were more common earlier. There were several different molds made by both primary suppliers over the years and by the end of the 1959 model year, only the 3-brick molds were still in use (not that it really matters 58 years after production of blue crests ended at the OEMs).
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[53 0val]

The four bricks WERE more common because of the number of cars that required them, but the three bricks are what are correct for the early cars. When the change went to 4 bricks is your first concern. Your '54 should have a three brick....in my experience.

The VW TREFFEN is next week in Anaheim. I will be there with the '53 along side some very original pre-'58 cars. I'll check with the pre-55 owners as to the originality of their badges. I know mine came with 3 bricks, but mine was a North American delivery car........so there might be some issue there. Interesting to see this thread again....
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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

[IN2VWS]

[53 0val]

About time you came in here John.

I noted you earlier comments............but I know that the 3 brick is original to my car. (October '53)
So you're suggesting that three bricks go all the way from '53 onward?
What are your opinions about the easy accessibility of 4 brick crests? I can find 10 four bricks for every three brick. This thread's pictures even suggest the large number in collections.

Do you have any printed material that could support the change over. You always seem to find the right answer.

Bob
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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

[IN2VWS]

My opinion, is just that....only an opinion. I based this on original, unrestored, unmolested cars I have seen and owned.
My 1951 split Bug, which had an original 77,000km on the clock, was unmolested with the original hood, paint, moldings etc still on it, had a 4 brick version.
There are several 54/55 ovals here, unrestored and in original condition, and they all have 4 brick versions......compared to 56 and later models which have the 3 brick version.
I don't take restored cars, or accident repaired cars into consideration, as the badges have been removed to restore the car, and there is no guarantee it is the same badge gone back on the car

I have some pics I have loaded into the gallery here so they dont get lost in another Photobucket scandal. I have some more 4 brick versions somewhere.....but I just don't know where at the moment.

3 x 3 bricks, and 1 x 4 brick version

3 brick vs 4 brick. Look at the 2nd bottom row of bricks either side of the castle door.

The 4 brick version has the tip of the tail pointing to the left. also the Wolf's chest is not as furry.

All original crests had split tabs on the back.

4 brick version made by Lauer in Nuremburg.

3 brick version made by KSP

3 brick version made by PuC

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[Splitdog]

Who has a nice 4-brick early one for sale?

I have a nice repro and an NOS 3 brick. But want a four-bricker.
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Der Blitzkrieg Kafers

#notacallooker

[scottyrocks]

Does anyone know why VW stopped putting these on the cars by 1963? Was it solely due to cost considerations?
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“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'

[jays58s]

To help with the 3 vs 4 brick crest debate, my all original US spec April of ‘55 has a 3 brick.

[IN2VWS]

[jays58s]

[bwaz]

my November 52 had the original hood and very worn 4 brick crest. It had sat since the 80's and looked like it had never been removed.

[sled]

[jays58s]

[Yustrn]

[IN2VWS]

Wow, Didn't mean to offend. If I had know you were really sensitive about your car, I wouldn't have commented.
I wasn't picking your car apart. Just saying I didn't agree with your comment that it was "all original".....Which it isn't all original.
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[jays58s]