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VW_Jimbo 
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11143
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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 Posted: Today 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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That just sounds and looks like fun! I can only remember how an old Bug felt driving one. Soon, I will be again. Until then, I live on the words of those driving them! Thank you!
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Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Yesterday 5:03 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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been doing some non-functional stuff for the first time in a while.
attached some window shades
added one of ghe grab bars i have
found this cover thing for the front hood latch. i didnt know it existed untill i randomly saw one in the classifieds. i wonder how many more of these things im missing.
fun mile marker. i started at 1381 so its not actually 1500 miles.
took Smiley to the grocery.
we hit 150 miles so running through everything - gaps, points, timing, fluids, brakes, lube, check all the bolts and so on.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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continuing on from where i left off...
i had taken the manifold off. i reinstalled it. still no luck. at this point i realize the problem. im using the wrong size.
so we take it apart again.
get the correct intake in there and put it back together.
then added some sound deadening. i really should have done that when i had the fan shroud out.
redid the axel seals. they were a bit leaky.
labeled my plug wires witha bit of paint to make keeping the in order easier
fun old plugs
the og zwitter carb i have is gummed up. the bbs in the accelerator pump are rusted in there. i rebuilt the one for the truck and am using it for now.
painted the inside of the glovebox. it was gross. i made it light so that i could see in there.
getting snappier with checking and adjusting the valves
lots of oil changes.
and lots of driving
at the library. they have a makers space with upholstery sewing equipment. im going to be doing the seats and stuff there.
getting gas again. im over 120 miles so far.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| ddutch wrote: |
That engine looks incredible nice, pure eye candy!
You both look very confident and satisfied on that 3rd last picture and you should. Well done! |
thanks! it was a pretty cool feeling getting it installed
| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| DUDE! It is time to drive! |
heck yeah! Smiley handles city driving brilliantly. up hills can be a bit slow. im adjusting to how aggressively i need to downshift in those situations. i havent taken him over 45mph yet. more than 75 miles driven so far.
here are some more process photos:
replace thee heater tubes. the old ones were unspooling
motor
shameful placeholder generator/regulator.
clutch install
once i started trying to start the car i ran into some problems. the contacts on the cap and rotor were toast. i bought replacements.
the fuel tap leaked excessively. there is some sort of internal washer i cant figure out how to get to. i think i need a tool i dont have. i bought a replacement and shelved the one i had. in the mean time i rigged up a temp tank.
at this point i get the motor to fire. dumped a bunch of gas in the carb and set it off. it was great. it would take me like a month to get the thing to actually run.
i wasnt actually getting compression though. the intake manifold wasnt seated. so...tear it apart.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11143
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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DUDE! It is time to drive!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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ddutch
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2020
Posts: 211
Location: Nederland
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| Jimone wrote: |
in the spring of this year we were somewhere like this:
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That engine looks incredible nice, pure eye candy!
You both look very confident and satisfied on that 3rd last picture and you should. Well done! |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 4:09 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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thanks for the thoughts everyone!
| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| Quote: |
| …..neat. for anyone keeping track the car is confirmed to have parts from a 1952 (many), 53 (engine block), 54 (body number), 55 (frame head and also the drivers window crank mechanism), and a 1960 (generator and regulator). the split window graft is from a pre zwitter spit of unknown year. i wonder how many other years i have in here. |
Makes me think of this song by Johnny Cash!
Link
Enjoy! |
Lmfao! thats perfect Jimbo. i love it.
| ddutch wrote: |
Lots has happend since you bought an engine from Mr. Okrasa last year. Good to see you're able to drive your dad's car now! I'm sure he and your friend Mike are both very proud of you, somewhere on the others side, in the spiritual realm.
I guess you have a very valid and realistic point of view on project cars that can't be used but just sit and are quetly detoriating. You've managed to get the car drivable within 4 years, which is a great accomplishment. The colourful patchwork appearance is symphatic, it grows on me and it suits your approach and the 'mixed' origins of the car very well. I hope you'll enjoy your (p)ride a lot. |
thanks! i sure am enjoying it. i still cant really believe that it drives. the shift from having a classic car restoration hobby to having a classic car driving hobby is crazy. i keep finding myself out in the garage for no reason doing something like sweeping. im so used to spending all my time out there. it seems i dont know what to do with my hands.
| swharris wrote: |
I seriously urge you or anyone who uses or has the "clamshell" style seat belts to upgrade them to some sort of positive locking belt mechanism. While they are period correct(sort of), your life and possibly your future mobility might depend on them. I understand no VW is "safe", but you can make them safer if you use the right stuff.
I had those types in my '62 DC, you see in my sig. '06, my wife was driving it and was hit in an intersection in the passenger side A pillar. The impact dislodged her belt clasp, and she was thrown from the bus, suffering a severe spinal cord injury. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but this is a real, albeit remote possibility when using those belts. We have lived for 20 years with the result of my choosing not to upgrade to a better 3 point positive locking belt, and I regret it every second I am alive. Learn from my mistake. I sincerly believe had I had positive locking belts or better yet a 3 point in the truck she would have stayed in the truck and be walking today. Sadly that is not the case. I love these things, but will never forgive myself for my lack of preperation and
deference to how dangerous they are.
Living with an SCI is to be avoided at all costs. And yes, I would choose death over SCI. |
i appreciate your concerns. safety matters to me. i am also very sorry that you were involved in such a traumatic auto collision. forgive me if im out of line here but i think that after 20 years its time to work on forgiving yourself and letting go of that hurt. you dont need to carry that pain every day dude.
ive been in some pretty nasty wrecks in the past. i believe very strongly in defensive and attentive driving. i also dont usually drive at high traffic times or early in the morning. thats for my normal car. so far ive been pretty selective with the bug.
now... onto motor install.
in the spring of this year we were somewhere like this:
i had to backtrack a bit because i neglected to install the thermostat
my jack stands arent tall enough for the motor install so we got a bit precarious. jack it up and drop it. mocked up a motor and tested till we felt "cool". it never felt cool.
but it worked...
i love these two pictures of Yvonne. frustrated then victorious. i would not have completed this project without her help. she pushed me every time i got stuck, helped me every time i needed hands. listened to talk about vw minutiae for innumerable hours. shes the best.
and motor!
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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swharris
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2010
Posts: 640
Location: N. Orange County
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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I seriously urge you or anyone who uses or has the "clamshell" style seat belts to upgrade them to some sort of positive locking belt mechanism. While they are period correct(sort of), your life and possibly your future mobility might depend on them. I understand no VW is "safe", but you can make them safer if you use the right stuff.
I had those types in my '62 DC, you see in my sig. '06, my wife was driving it and was hit in an intersection in the passenger side A pillar. The impact dislodged her belt clasp, and she was thrown from the bus, suffering a severe spinal cord injury. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but this is a real, albeit remote possibility when using those belts. We have lived for 20 years with the result of my choosing not to upgrade to a better 3 point positive locking belt, and I regret it every second I am alive. Learn from my mistake. I sincerly believe had I had positive locking belts or better yet a 3 point in the truck she would have stayed in the truck and be walking today. Sadly that is not the case. I love these things, but will never forgive myself for my lack of preperation and
deference to how dangerous they are.
Living with an SCI is to be avoided at all costs. And yes, I would choose death over SCI.
I
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ddutch
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2020
Posts: 211
Location: Nederland
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Lots has happend since you bought an engine from Mr. Okrasa last year. Good to see you're able to drive your dad's car now! I'm sure he and your friend Mike are both very proud of you, somewhere on the others side, in the spiritual realm.
I guess you have a very valid and realistic point of view on project cars that can't be used but just sit and are quetly detoriating. You've managed to get the car drivable within 4 years, which is a great accomplishment. The colourful patchwork appearance is symphatic, it grows on me and it suits your approach and the 'mixed' origins of the car very well. I hope you'll enjoy your (p)ride a lot. |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11143
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| Quote: |
| …..neat. for anyone keeping track the car is confirmed to have parts from a 1952 (many), 53 (engine block), 54 (body number), 55 (frame head and also the drivers window crank mechanism), and a 1960 (generator and regulator). the split window graft is from a pre zwitter spit of unknown year. i wonder how many other years i have in here. |
Makes me think of this song by Johnny Cash!
Link
Enjoy!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| That is inspiring! Thank you! |
thanks man! youre like a vw yoda from my perspective so that compliment means a lot.
| DSweinhagen wrote: |
| I've been following from the beginning and so cool to see it on the road! |
thanks! im excited to follow your split!
| janerick3 wrote: |
| The number on the bracket is the serial number for the frame head, which dates from May 1955 per Progressive Refinements. |
neat. for anyone keeping track the car is confirmed to have parts from a 1952 (many), 53 (engine block), 54 (body number), 55 (frame head and also the drivers window crank mechanism), and a 1960 (generator and regulator). the split window graft is from a pre zwitter spit of unknown year. i wonder how many other years i have in here.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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janerick3
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006
Posts: 1896
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 1:29 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| Jimone wrote: |
...heres some rear brake photos. i went with the 54 style brakes rather than the original ones. the originals are hard to source parts for and i plan to drive the car. i put all my original parts in a box and put them on a shelf to deal with later.
i havent found anything about the number on that brake line bracket. if anyone has any info on that id love to her what it might represent...
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The number on the bracket is the serial number for the frame head, which dates from May 1955 per Progressive Refinements.
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Thanks,
Jan K. |
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DSweinhagen
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2002
Posts: 410
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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I've been following from the beginning and so cool to see it on the road!
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David S |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11143
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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That is inspiring! Thank you!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 3:57 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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yeah. thats what i did. it crosses under the back seat to the rear of where the seat makes contact with the column.
i created a youtube so i can host some of the short videos we have made. check it out:
Link
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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56Cabrio
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 2052
Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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So cool to have your father's car running again, what a great feeling that must be. I've been following since you first posted.
Here is a bulletin from Volkswagen (fitting an additional fuel line)
I like Jimbo's idea better though, crossing over the transmission.
Can't wait to see the 54 SC running.
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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 |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| One thing that I did a double take on was the fuel line. Going over the tunnel. I would have reservations about that. To eliminate the possibility of damaging it with the seat, you could cross over the top of the transmission and enter the cabin next to the battery cable. Drill a hole that allows for a rubber grommet and the line. Be sure to paint the edge of the exposed steel after drilling it out. |
thanks for looking out! i should have mentioned that that was a progress pic. i do have that line tucked in and away from where objects or the seat can hit it. i added rubber bumpers and tied it in place similar to the brake lines. i also padded the top and ran it under the carpet so it should be pretty cushioned. i followed the method and locations in the workshop manual.
ill take some pics of it and post them. extra eyes on something like that is invaluable. i do have a fire extinguisher in the car. the look on my passengers faces when i tell them where the fire extinguisher is is priceless.
building trust in my workmanship is a bit of a process. im an amateur and started this pretty ignorant. someone on some internet forum wrote something i think about a lot. - you have to be somewhat competent otherwise the thing would not go -
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11143
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Thank you for those kind words. The time spent on tS gains me motivation to go out into the garage! I am extremely lazy by nature! Accountability has been my only motivation progressing through life!
That last picture is AWESOME!!! Good to see Smiley, smiling is the Sun!
It all looks great! One thing that I did a double take on was the fuel line. Going over the tunnel. I would have reservations about that. To eliminate the possibility of damaging it with the seat, you could cross over the top of the transmission and enter the cabin next to the battery cable. Drill a hole that allows for a rubber grommet and the line. Be sure to paint the edge of the exposed steel after drilling it out.
Love this Bug thread. It is so cool!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
|
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| Back to top |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 394
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 6:03 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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ty Jimbo! you are always so helpful. i wonder if you have more hours assiting people on the samba or in your garage on the oval. i really appreciate your time (and also your awesome build thread) dude!
i added some seatbelts. there were already holes drilled on the the drivers side so i only had to poke holes on the passenger side.
this circlip on the starter was one of the most frustrating things on the whole project. what. a. pain.
hooked a generator up to the battery to test. work fine. i dont have the one tht would be correct for the car. ill pick one up eventually. this one is from a 1960 i think.
got some high density foam for the seats. ill probably cover this in wool to get the og feel and smell. comfy is nice though. they still feel like camping chairs. i dont think any amount of padding will change that. also...a butt. im a child.
more hats
at home wheel alignment. it was right on the nose.
heater controls. these tubes were gross. hooked a clutch cable to a drill and reamed them out.
installed the fuel tank (i have the motor in at this point but ill talk about motor install in its own post). put some gas in it and had a flood. ran new fuel line.
another shot of Smiley in the sun. im gonna need a bunch of sunscreen.
more later.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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