Need some help... 1955 oval ragtop semaphore.

[Andrezleuro]

Hey guys, first off..... thanks in advance for any help. Does anyone have a picture of the dash on a 1955 oval ragtop semaphore car? Just picked one up a few days ago off of here and it has a few holes that where done at come point along its life. Want to go back to og and fix it. Need to know what it should look like. Once I figure out how to post pictures on here I will add some. Also would like to know the knob and what they control . Thanks !

[Andrezleuro]

Just about forgot...it is a 11/55. Two fold w semaphores so I’m assuming it started it’s life somewhere other than the states ?

[56Cabrio]

My 1956 convertible (build date Aug 9, 1955) yours would be the same minus clock,gas gauge
& grab handle

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1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top

RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023

[Andrezleuro]

Thanks a lot, from left to right ... what are the knobs ? Also would there be a semaphore witch or would it be the turn signal switch ?

[56Cabrio]

Here you go and yes turn signal switch activates semaphores.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/56beetle/5.jpg
_________________
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

[Andrezleuro]

Awesome man thank you so much. Would you know if it would have been an import from somewhere since it has semaphores?

[BulliBill]

By Nov '55 (1956 model year) all USA spec Beetles had blinker systems, not semaphores. Your car probably was not a USA spec car. You'd have to write to VW in Germany with your chassis number and pay for a "birth certificate" which usually tells what country your car was initially shipped to.

Bill
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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!

[Keith]

As a Bill mentioned, you don’t have a ‘55, you have a ‘56. Semaphores were dropped for the American market early in ‘55 and the ‘55 model year only went from January ’55 to Aug of ‘55 that’s when the official Aug-Aug model year started for VW from there on out, so Aug ‘55 is the ‘56 model year. It wasn’t like that before. You have a euro market Beetle. ‘ 55 was the first year for bullet turn signals with snowflake tail lights and towel rail (ram protection) bumpers standard for the American market and would have a 3 fold ragtop, and ribbed doors as well.
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[Andrezleuro]

My vin plate up front stamped 1955

[Keith]

[Andrezleuro]

Got it, thanks a lot !

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... please tell us the stamped body number... that's the number, behind the spate tire, next to the brake reservoir....
... sometimes lots of things are changed and we get confused... this body number will clear things up... if your plate states 1955, it might be... just digging a little deeper.
_________________
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

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... you might look in the technical section, here on thesamba, look at a 1955 owner manual dash, to learn where everything is located on the dash..... here's mine, a 3/55, body number 747 714

... is your speedo in MPH or KPH... do you have a smaller hump gas tank or a bigger rectangular one with a huge 100 mm gas cap... ? We'll get to the bottom of this... many times there is a date on the back of your speedo... that'll tell you roughly what year and month your car was built...

_________________
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

[Andrezleuro]

Plate is stamped 1955

[Keith]

[Andrezleuro]

I believe it’s a 56 since it’s 11/55 build. I’ll post pictures soon

[Keith]

[Andrezleuro]

Good to know, it’s a complete car only thing missing is the driver seat.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... what's your body number?
_________________
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

[Andrezleuro]