| Author |
Message |
bvd
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2010
Posts: 207
Location: Long Island, New York
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:02 am Post subject: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
 |
|
Hey Guys. I acquired this old 4x5 photo negative recently, and scanned it into my computer. It is dated 18-20 November 1957. Such a cool freaking image! It looks like he's holding a Graflex Speed Graphic or Crown Graphic camera that was widely used by press photographers from the 1930s to the 1960s I believe. Can anyone help identify the year of his Volkswagen though? Definitely an Oval Window, because 1958 was the first year for the rectangular rear window, right? Just curious if anyone can identify the exact year?!
_________________
"I paid 2000 for my MR2 with the back quarters rusted out, 900 for the bug. So rice is more costly than kraut."--doc1369 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
calibob
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2006
Posts: 137
Location: Pinon Hills Ca aka BFE
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
56 or 57 due to bullet turn signals
_________________
57 oval project ( og diamond green )
67 Baja
64 Manx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
56Cabrio
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 1899
Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joey
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 5366
Location: Nova Scotia - Canada
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:46 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
'56 or''57 due to the bumper over-riders.
_________________
Joey
‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
56Cabrio
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 1899
Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| Joey wrote: |
| '56 or''57 due to the bumper over-riders. |
Just so ppl don't get confused late 1955 ribbed doors also had over-riders.
Pic of Bill's unrestored 1955 (ribbed door) has over-riders. The gas tank in the op's pic isn't a 100mm tank looks like a 80mm to me started in 1956.
_________________
F#CK CANCER
Make a donation
1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top
RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joey
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 5366
Location: Nova Scotia - Canada
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| 56Cabrio wrote: |
| Joey wrote: |
| '56 or''57 due to the bumper over-riders. |
Just so ppl don't get confused late 1955 ribbed doors also had over-riders. |
Good to know. Thanks.
_________________
Joey
‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
René R.
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2015
Posts: 1711
Location: No. Calif.
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
Overriders were available at least as early as autumn 1954, as shown in this Consumer Reports cover. The article recommends this extra-cost upgrade.
_________________
Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
billb
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2005
Posts: 369
Location: Austin, Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| 56 or 57 because the tank looks like a humpback and not the flat tank the 55 and earlier had. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joey
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 5366
Location: Nova Scotia - Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
I was just going by all the "Changes Through The Years" info I've read. All the ones I've read say over riders started in '56.
_________________
Joey
‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kjell Roar
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2008
Posts: 1326
Location: Norway
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| Joey wrote: |
| I was just going by all the "Changes Through The Years" info I've read. All the ones I've read say over riders started in '56. |
The overriders started probably on the 56 year model, in August 55, delivered from the Wolfsburg factory. Think they was made and mounted by VW USA from autumn 54.
_________________
I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...
My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
txoval
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004
Posts: 3552
Location: The Woodlands, TX
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
They shipped from Wolfsburg with overriders...it was an option called "Ram Protection." My old November 54 came with them
VW of America wasn't going to punch the apron and fenders...not to mention there wasn't a VW of America until October 1955. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZENVWDRIVER
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008
Posts: 3340
Location: N.E. Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
... the towel bars appeared in "late" 1955 at ch 1-0869851... dual tail pipe also, among other features... that's in May of '55...The '56s began on August first, of '55.
info from Car of the Century, volume one
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZENVWDRIVER
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008
Posts: 3340
Location: N.E. Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| calibob wrote: |
| 56 or 57 due to bullet turn signals |
... the only method of recognizing the difference between a '56 and '57, besides the VIN, that I know of is the location of the front heat outlets... '56 was forward, close to the "fire wall" and on a '57 was further back, closer to the "A" pillar... took me a long time to finally notice that.
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
René R.
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2015
Posts: 1711
Location: No. Calif.
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 8:10 am Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| txoval wrote: |
| They shipped from Wolfsburg with overriders... |
Correct. My June '54 shipped with overriders, listed on the birth certificate as "M 107 - Bumpers with guards." I opted to restore it with Euro bumpers because I think they look more appropriate to the period (the overriders were optional, after all), but also because overriders on the rear almost completely block the tail lights from view. Check out this era photo of an oval with heart tail lights and overriders:
_________________
Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kjell Roar
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2008
Posts: 1326
Location: Norway
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| ZENVWDRIVER wrote: |
... the towel bars appeared in "late" 1955 at ch 1-0869851... dual tail pipe also, among other features... that's in May of '55...The '56s began on August first, of '55.
info from Car of the Century, volume one |
Actually, the '56s started on August 4., not 1., my oval is #30 made that day.
_________________
I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...
My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZENVWDRIVER
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008
Posts: 3340
Location: N.E. Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 1:44 am Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| Kjell Roar wrote: |
| ZENVWDRIVER wrote: |
... the towel bars appeared in "late" 1955 at ch 1-0869851... dual tail pipe also, among other features... that's in May of '55...The '56s began on August first, of '55.
info from Car of the Century, volume one |
Actually, the '56s started on August 4., not 1., my oval is #30 made that day. |
... interesting... good to know. i'll make a note in my book. thanks
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BulliBill
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 4572
Location: St Charles, MO
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:21 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| 56Cabrio wrote: |
| Joey wrote: |
| '56 or''57 due to the bumper over-riders. |
Just so ppl don't get confused late 1955 ribbed doors also had over-riders.
Pic of Bill's unrestored 1955 (ribbed door) has over-riders. The gas tank in the op's pic isn't a 100mm tank looks like a 80mm to me started in 1956.
|
The photo here is of myself and my unrestored June 22, 1955 Deluxe Sunroof Beetle back in June of 1999. The "Return To The Fatherland Tour" VWs and Tour participants were parked in front of the VW main factory building at Wolfsburg in June 1999 for a VW press photo shoot. The next morning we drove south to attend the 1999 Bad Camberg event.
Anyway, my USA spec unmolested Deluxe had and still has her original factory paint, the three fold-sunroof, a "square" gas tank with 100 mm gas cap, ribbed doors, straight stick-shift, red "H" pattern leatherette upholstery, (she missed having semaphores by a couple of weeks, as she has the new USA-required fender blinkers and snowflake rear taillight assemblies). This car definitely has the "straight" apron and a single-tip muffler, not twin-tailpipes which happened later, I suspect on Aug 4th, 1955. She never had a radio, 8-track or any sound system, ever! A good old girl, her name is "Martha" for the original owner near Sacramento, CA who took such good care of her. I'm the second very lucky owner. She was driven 6,631 miles on that RTTFT Tour from L.A. to NYC, then London to Holland, Belgium, then to Osnabruck, Wolfburg, Bad Camberg and Bonn Germany, back to Holland and on to London, then Boston to Columbus, OH, and back home to St. Louis, MO. An incredible 28 day adventure for all nine VW owners, co-driver participants and their pre-1958 Vintage VWs! "Martha" was the second newest official car. The oldest was a 1943 KDF-wagen.
Bill Bowman
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
Thanks for any help! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joshua B
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2004
Posts: 273
Location: Colorado
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Help Identifying Year of Oval |
|
|
| I would say 56-57 due to the later style wiring cover and the hood prop looks like it is attached to the second hinge bolt on the hood. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
