Correct chassis Numbers 1955 Oval

[Cambi]

Hello everyone. First I’d like to thank and congratulate for such a helpful and huge site, it’s incredible all the information contributed.
I’m pretty new to VW’s although I’ve owned a 1979 super beetle for about a yr
Happened that I came across an oval and since I am starting to become more attractive to older bugs decided to check it out.
Looked under back seat chasis Numbers and searched here for previous posts in this topi, but can’t really figure it out. Is this a correct chassis for 1955? 3904733

[EverettB]

3904733 is a VIN # from May, 1961
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[Cambi]

Thank you very much EverettB.
Then it’s a 55 on a 61pan. How would I know, is there a number that reflects the year of the car?
If this is the case, this car doesn’t really hold up value, correct?

[EverettB]

Sorry, I should have told you I looked it up on the VIN # listings on the site here in the Technical section to find the year:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

Yes, it's worth less because it's not on the original pan.

I don't know how much less, it depends on the condition of the rest of the car.
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[Cambi]

Thank you again. I was able to contact owner and have this picture from the tag under the hood by the spare tire

[Mark Evans]

Looks like a May of '55.
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'63 Ragtop

[theorangeperil]

is there a way of finding what the original chassis number would have been from the body number?

[txoval]

The original chassis number is on the metal VIN tag shown above

1-0919XXX

Body and VIN number = June 1955

[Cambi]

If body it’s 55, would be possible that a 55 had originally Ragtop? Or this is also not correct for this 55 year period?

[txoval]

55 ragtop could be original.

You need to set your goal...a 55 on a 61 pan will never hold its value. You could put $50k in it and never sell it for over $15k

So if you don’t care about resale, buy it...but at the same time do not pay too much. Is it titled as a 55 or 61?

[Cambi]

Thanks txoval. It’s titled as a 55. Current owner had no clue about chassis swapped.
Car has rust, patina look, but rust issues. I can see around the ragtop a different old color..it might be original, is there a way to know if ragtop is correct on this car?

[txoval]

Only sure way would be to cut a hole in the head liner and see if it was welded in...or get the birth certificate for VIN on the metal tag. Birth certificates take a few months to get

Personally, I would move down the road.

[Cambi]

Thank you. There is no headliner in the car, just the top. I can see the ragtop mechanism, it’s just I’m not familiar with it.

[txoval]

You need to look at the roof metal...if a ragtop was grafted in from another car you will see where the roof was cut out and the ragtop section welded in.

Look around the perimeter of the opening

[Kjell Roar]

3 fold ragtop is original for the body, people pay a lot for that. If its 2 fold, its welded in.
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[Cambi]

Thank you kjell roar. It’s a 3 fold, and can’t see any welding around. I thought wasn’t original because I see some aluminum square tubs .