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Two Glove Boxes Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Texas
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50Splitman Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004 Posts: 345
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2021 11:49 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Sure- that's what we're all here for!
Can you provide the VIN and body number? Apologies if I missed it posted somewhere. From there we can at least start to validate that potentially parts of the body were original zwitter, and maybe a previous owner grafted in the A pillars and heater channels from an early oval (the channels look like '54 to me). I could see how the original 53 heater channel holes could have been modified to be more oblong vs. circular, but the A pillar interior light switch holes are much different for a zwitter vs. what I see in the pics.
My Jan '53 zwitter had the same original date stamped rims.
Jimone wrote: |
thats pretty interesting about the heater channels. if you notice more things like that i am all ears. if you need or want pictures of anything let me know. im here to learn.
its possible this car is an art project or something. i can identify some of the front bits as being from an oval. the ashtray is wrong. the dash behind the ashtray has been modified. the front clip number doesnt patch the chassis. (i havent checked the axels yet) the rear clip was modified from 1 exhaust cut to 2 and then back to 0 cut outs. it had 16 inch tires on it.
i found something else interesting. the spare tire is on a 4jx15 rim that has an april 52 date stamp. my (admittedly shallow) research tells me they didnt start using that size till october 52. seems odd to be producing spare tire rims 6 months ahead of schedule. does anybody know if that is normal?
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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the numbers i have so far:
chassis - 1-0415793 (nov 52) this is the number i have a title for
body - 668077 (nov 54) this bit looks rough.
engine - 1-0596790 (jun 53) nothing is installed. there are several cases i think this is the earliest and also the only 25 hp. if its viable and i dont find a better match around here its what ill build off of. _________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Blue Baron VW Aficionado
Joined: June 16, 2006 Posts: 24037 Location: Southeast USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:29 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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So that would mean the front clip is Nov. 54? _________________ We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.
Heinz Nordhoff |
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50Splitman Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004 Posts: 345
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:36 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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My guess is that the chassis is zwitter, and the body is a 54 with the split rear window or entire roof grafted in from the zwitter. At least from your pictures, it doesn't (easily) appear that the A pillars and heater channels were grafted in from the 54.
From the inside of the rear window, is it apparent that the rear or roof was grafted in?
Jimone wrote: |
the numbers i have so far:
chassis - 1-0415793 (nov 52) this is the number i have a title for
body - 668077 (nov 54) this bit looks rough.
engine - 1-0596790 (jun 53) nothing is installed. there are several cases i think this is the earliest and also the only 25 hp. if its viable and i dont find a better match around here its what ill build off of. |
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Zwitterkafer Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2007 Posts: 878 Location: Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Sorry to hear about your dad. Working on this car may prove to be a cathartic experience. Luckily there is a lot of info about Zwitters on this site, and the cognoscente are happy to share their knowledge. One challenge is that some Zwitter parts were only made in the 6 months between Oct 52 and Mar 53. Looks like you have the correct small neck fuel tank....a big plus! Cheers & good luck. _________________ "Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC |
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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thanks for your thoughts about pops. i also think rebuilding the car will be cathartic. my dads best friend, Mike, is helping me. its cool to build a new friendship with someone ive known for most of my life. dad would approve.
i took some pictures of the interior rear window and luggage area as well as some shots of the drivers side interior.
_________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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50Splitman Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004 Posts: 345
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Thanks, this is very helpful.
The rear window is from a pre-Oct ‘52 beetle, before the zwitter was manufactured. This is due to the hole for the interior light above the rear window opening.
I’m now thinking this is a zwitter chassis, 54 body with a pre-52 rear window grafted in.
Jimone wrote: |
thanks for your thoughts about pops. i also think rebuilding the car will be cathartic. my dads best friend, Mike, is helping me. its cool to build a new friendship with someone ive known for most of my life. dad would approve.
i took some pictures of the interior rear window and luggage area as well as some shots of the drivers side interior.
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finster Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 7934 Location: north o' the border
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2021 1:19 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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if that's the case then it has been done really well and the paint matches the original patina... _________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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i have been doing a little bit of paint removal. im practicing on some of the obviously problematic spots. i plan to remove the primer around the window after i have a solid technique down.i will look for evidence of a graft.
the rear passanger fender cleand up nicely. i really like the color of the original paint there.
the hood has a lot of layers of paint. black, green, yellow, 2 blues and at least 3 primers.
_________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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aa390392 Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007 Posts: 3602 Location: So.Cal
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Sorry if repost,
Either L35 or L36 paint code, my guess _________________ .
getting grumpy & less tolerant!
55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet |
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LeleProppella Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2020 Posts: 25 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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I'm a huge 'Original paint' guy, but that paint job is incredible. |
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56TIMOTEO Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 440
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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The right door jamb looks like the dome light switch is the round one, is that correct for 1954? |
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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made my first vw related purchase this week. i have been avoiding buying because i havent sorted everything yet. I am continually finding things. im also constantly shocked by prices. like you are seriously telling me that the doodads on the dash are more expensive than the transmission? what is desirable and scarce is not always intuitive to me.
couldnt pass this one up.
normal kansas tags were issued with a 1951 date stamp and then had a metal add on for 52 and 53. pops told me 52 didnt exist. he was kinda right and kinda wrong. they did issue 1952 dated DEALER tags. so now i have a correct date plate for the front of the car (kansas doesnt use front plates so you can put whatever you want up there).
not sure if i will restore it or keep it as it is. plate treatment will probably follow whatever i do with the paint on the bug. patina bug? patina plate! shiny bug? crispy plate. _________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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David Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 2027 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:46 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Jimone wrote: |
not sure if i will restore it or keep it as it is. plate treatment will probably follow whatever i do with the paint on the bug. patina bug? patina plate! shiny bug? crispy plate. |
If you do restore it, this guy does amazing work.
https://www.finishyourplates.com/ _________________ Cheers,
Dave
*October '54 Ragtop
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aa390392 Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007 Posts: 3602 Location: So.Cal
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:50 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Jim, your absolutely correct on the prices of accessories, "dash items" ridiculous!
Me personally, i prefer the simplicity of the design,curvature of metal, sound of the engine, howling of the crashbox...all beautifully designed.
"KISS", is how I think Porsche designed the car.
Everything else is personal preferences. Which is cool,and your choice.
Sorry , Me ranting.
Tomas _________________ .
getting grumpy & less tolerant!
55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet |
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 6:40 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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i found some pretty cool stuff the other day. there were a couple packs of old photos hiding behind some books in the garage. what a treasure trove.
there was a bunch of correspondence. a hand written zwitter registry with like 100 cars. fabric samples. paint codes and mixing formulae. a restoration to-do list that identified a couple minor issues i hadnt discovered yet (dad thought the starter button hole was for an aftermarket washer fluid pump and was planning to weld that hole up). detail lists and parts to buy. some hand drawing of parts.
also photos:
the liscense plate on the car in one of the photos is by some act of fate the example i put on the wall. there were ~20 of that type. sometimes the stars align i guess.
i found confirmation of the theory that the car had been rebodied and the window grafted in.
there are some photo negatives that i will want to get printed out. some pics with dad and maybe a previous owner.
i also found a document from volkswagenwerk from feb 85. says the car (chassis?) was produced nov22 1952. delivered nov25 1952 to VW Distributing Company, NY. no paint color specified. no features listed. original engine number 503 416. if you happen to have my motor im interested in acquiring it.
tomas- i agree 100% that the simplicity is the beauty of these cars. i learned recently that the crank start was an option for late 52. thats the kind of accessory i find appealing. _________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab
Last edited by Jimone on Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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added some pics of some of the paperwork
_________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab
Last edited by Jimone on Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:15 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jimone Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021 Posts: 368 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2021 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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i have started tracking down pieces for the bug.
layed out the wiring
started putting knobs and dodads (and some placeholders) where they go
tucked the seats inside for now
i should probably cover those front ones.
but first im going to sit in it
cleaned the outside up a bit
_________________ november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Bendango Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2005 Posts: 593
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2021 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Looks like a great time your having with your Dads old bug. _________________ I want a real garage.
WANTED - [WTB] 55-62 Bus Thin Lip Package Tray SWR
Getting Used - SWR 60 westy copy built by vw ( apparently )
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=320866
Braukuche wrote: |
Where did you find the elephant dick? |
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