I need help ID’ing an Oval body-possibly a split turned oval?

[hemifalcon]

I’m attaching pictures of this find.. the body I believe tells me it’s a ‘50–but the oval window opening wasn’t too deeply investigated. Possibly a grafted oval into a split body? The failed headliner material was definitely not original. Before parts come off-I may want to collect it intact if any experts believe its an early body.
Body number is 141811, engine number 405754.. I’m working on owning it.. it’s been in the woods in Wisconsin a long time-it needs real help. I didn’t get inside to see the pan numbers.

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'62 VW Bug Sedan (Ruby Red)
Resto pics> http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v697/hemifalcon/Bug%20resto/?start=all&paginator=top

[hm]

looks to be a 56 or 57

[sled]

January of 1956
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drive your split.

[hemifalcon]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

I concur, 1/1956 -

Some reasons: Has a late oval SEMI-BATWING steering wheel and post 1954 chrome trim around the ash tray - interior handles are not ribbed - looks to have a pretty typical red interior... all splits, even 1952-53 Zwitters had a push button to start - this car has NEVER been a split... also. all splits had semaphores.

A 1950 dash is completely different - KDF style -

... '50 dash

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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

[hemifalcon]

[Blue Baron]

Also no ribs on the doors, curved shifter, smooth door handles, etc. Definitely an oval.

Love the accessory passenger-side sun visor.
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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[jason]

Bullet fenders with non ribbed doors is definitely 56-57. Look for date on back of speedo.

[57BLITZ]

A couple more items that would be seen on a late ('56-'57) oval . . .
Front, footwell heater outlets (in the heater channels) are louvered . . . not screen-covered "holes" as found in an early Oval.
Door latch strikers similar to '60s era Beetles (in the "B" pillars) . . . NOT interchangeable between early Ovals and late Ovals.

This is a 1956, "non-adjustable" striker plate (photo from TheSamba Gallery) . . .

Here's a later (1957-up) "adjustable" striker plate . . . (photo from TheSamba Gallery) . . .

Look at these "early Oval"/Split strikers and you will see that they cannot be easily swapped . . . https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3310641.jpg
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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[hemifalcon]

Thanks guys for the continued info.. I’ll get back to this in a couple weeks hopefully with more info and pictures..
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'62 VW Bug Sedan (Ruby Red)
Resto pics> http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v697/hemifalcon/Bug%20resto/?start=all&paginator=top

[57BLITZ]

Found a couple more photos in TheSamba Gallery showing the differences between "Early Oval" and "Late Oval" heater channels . . .

EARLY Oval (pre-1956)

1956 & very-early1957 (note the position of the louvered opening: forward towards the front panel)

late 1957 & later (note the position: back towards the hinge pillar)

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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[h~moto]

[hemifalcon]

[Busstom]

[Kjell Roar]

The body is produced in January 1956, according to theSamba's list.
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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