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Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop
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Motodad414
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:47 pm    Post subject: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Hey I am new to the site and need some help. I don't know if this is possible or not. I just picked up a 1964 ragtop?!?! Now I know that the last year of ragtops was 1963 but my title and numbers on the car say it is a 1964. I looked to see if the ragtop was grafted in and there is no welds or cuts on the roof that I can see. Looks to have a 64 steering wheel but had the 63 turn signals, 63 deck lid and license plate light. Any help would be great.
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Sharp64 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 6:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

What are the first 4-5 of the VIN?

Ragtops were still available in Europe up until 67.
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Motodad414
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

The first 5 of the vin are. 64945
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EverettB Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Motodad414 wrote:
The first 5 of the vin are. 64945


July, 1964 so almost 1965 even...

Weird but maybe it's a Euro Bug?
Or someone did a super clean graft?
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rcooled
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Could be an earlier body on a ‘64 pan. Does the number stamped on the body ID tag (located in the spare tire well) match the number on the pan?

Where did you look for welds that would indicate a graft?
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Sharp64 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:25 am    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

For some reason I had thought you said the numbers of the body and pan matched but see you didn’t. I would agree it’s more likely it’s had a body swap to an earlier year. Check the plate behind the speare tire and see if it matches the vin on the tunnel. If it doesn’t or it’s missing it’s likely to have been swapped.
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VOLKSWAGNUT
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Most likely a body swap.

Here.

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:



Here are a few more highlights.

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:


The highlights of main differences 1961-1967 for front clipping for USA bound Deluxe Sedans sheet metal only....

1961 Was/is first year of the new design for the flat fuel tank. The area behind the spare tire changed appearence significantly (from the 1958-1960). The upper front axle beam bolts are no longer visible, and a rounded recessed area is created for the windshield washer reservoir and brake fluid reservoir. Inspection plates changed from round to "D" shaped.

Early 61's use a 3 finger front apron.
Mid 61-67 = same front apron (very minor changes)
61- Feb 1964 = Left inspection plate orientation horizontal.
(Mid) Feb 1964 - 67 Left inspection plate orientation vertical.
61-66 = same brake fluid reservoir mount and reservoir pipe opening,
61-67 = same windshield washer reservoir rounded recess.
67 = enlarged hole for brake fluid reservoir, larger brake fluid reservoir and strap.

61-67 = same clip fitment and overall appearance.

Depending on the "clip point"

For 1965 the windshield was enlarged and curved, A pillars (at the windshield) are different sizes than 58-64 and the cowl area changed from flat to trayed.

There are a few differences in wiring pass through locations as lamps changed positions, plus other minor metal pressing changes, that frankly are not important, or could be easily remedied.

.


VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:
VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:


The 62-64 (Sedan) ID highlight reel.. Laughing


VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:
3 bolts per hinge started during the 1962 model year.

glutamodo wrote:
Here' a few detail photos for 62-64 era ID:

Right side heater duct under back seat:

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Hinge bolts:

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Steering Box adjustment access plate:

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glutamodo wrote:
The last hood that had the Wolfsburg Crest was at VIN / Chassis Number 5010447

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glutamodo wrote:


The "62 hood" hood was actually used for around 21 months total - the last 7 months of 1961 production, all of 1962 and the first two months of 1963 production:

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glutamodo wrote:
Yes the mounting location DID change when they went to the larger turn signals in 1964. I did this little comparison shot right off the covers of the owner's manuals recently when we were talking about the size of the lights.

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Whew..!!!

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Motodad414
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:26 am    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

I am thinking that it has had a body swap. The vin tag behind the spare tire has been removed and there is California replacement vin tag in the drivers door.
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hitest
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Since we've got a pan swap- let's tackle the body's model year...

Describe or photograph your sunroof completely open. Does it have a sculpted, rigid Golde handle or a folding flatter style? Does it have partial plastic roller rails behind the aluminum long pieces?

What shape are the rear seat heater openings? Flat or round?
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I wonder what the nut looks like.



'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181

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Blue Baron
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 2:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Thumb buttons and no half ring on the steering wheel indicates a '64.

Looks like a mongrel.
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 2:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

If the hood is original matching to the body (no WB crest), then we're likely looking at a '63 shell.
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Motodad414
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 11:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Thank you all so much so far. I will get some pics of the top open, closed and all the hard ware this weekend.
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Motodad414
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 7:11 am    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

hitest wrote:
Since we've got a pan swap- let's tackle the body's model year...

Describe or photograph your sunroof completely open. Does it have a sculpted, rigid Golde handle or a folding flatter style? Does it have partial plastic roller rails behind the aluminum long pieces?

What shape are the rear seat heater openings? Flat or round?

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The heater openings are round.
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rcooled
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Motodad414 wrote:
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The heater openings are round.

You've got a '63 body there. That's the one-year-only hinged latch handle.
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'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)
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Motodad414
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Nice!!!! Thank you for helping me figure that out
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hitest
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 3:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Noob here with a 63/64 ragtop Reply with quote

Motodad414 wrote:
Nice!!!! Thank you for helping me figure that out


Great to here- I'm partial to '63s (I'm on my 4th)

Mukluk- the hood crest was dropped after a couple months into '63 production Wink
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EverettB wrote:

I wonder what the nut looks like.



'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181

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