Questions on paint codes and vert rim question-

[wcfvw69]

Hello-

Ok, I am looking at the paint codes listed here on the Samba which are fantastic! I have a 69 vert bug original color L-54 Poppy Red built in Nov 68. What is the difference in the paint code SL43, L43, and LD43? My guess would be S=shinny, L=satin and DL= dull?

Also, the codes listed do not show a rim painted L-581 @ LD43 for the vert? It only shows L-43 for the entire rim. Now, where I am confused is the 68-69 sales literature clearly shows a 68-69 vert with the white L-581 outside rim and center rim being LD43 black in one of the photos??

Thanks in advance for any insight

[Bookwus]

Hiya wcfvw,

Interesting in that this question has come up a couple of times recently. Vert rims in 69 were solid color (despite what you may have seen) LD 43 Gray Black. Sedans did indeed have Cloud White (L581) rims but their inner hubs (under the hubcap) were also LD 43. Looks like you may have seen a convertible sporting sedan wheels. And, for what it might be worth, VW offered trim rings for wheels that year - M218 option.

Mike

1970 AS Bug

[Rome]

"L" is the first letter for the German word for general automotive paint "Lack". Does not matter if it is enamel or lacquer based from that era.

Now I'm just guessing here:

SL could be 'special paint" = Sonderlack

LD could be dull paint, where the D = dumpf.

[jhicken]

I think all late 60's convertibles were ment to come with trim rings so that is probably the reason why they weren't painted two tone.

-jeffrey
_________________
Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

[wcfvw69]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/69bug/page13.jpg

Thanks for the response everyone. I attached this link (hope it works) from the 1969 sales catalog under Archives on this site that shows the 69 vert with the white/black rims.
Very strange???

thanks again[img][/img]

[Bookwus]

Hiya wcfvw,

Just a thought after taking a look at the pictured VW convertible. Is it possible that what is pictured might be, just might be that M218 trim ring option? It is really too difficult (for me anyway) to tell given the picture, but I'm thinking it might be possible.

Mike

1970 AS Bug

[wcfvw69]

[DesignBuild]

Here is a strange wheel paint story. I have a '72 Super Beetle Sedan (1302S) built in Wolfsburg for the German market. The original purchaser worked for VW as an electrical engineer. The car was built on May 11, 1972 and registered on the 12 of May. It was driven for about 2 years and then put in covered storage.

The wheels were painted silver with a brush but under the silver is blue, the same color as the body, Marina Blue. Under the blue is the original black primer. What is interesting about the primer is it will not come off with paint remover; it doesn't even get soft.

A few of my contacts in Germany have said they have never heard of wheels painted body color except for some of the pre 1970s cars. So it is anyone's guess why these were painted body color. All 5 wheels were painted blue even the spare that had the original bias ply tire on the rim with the little rubber hairs intact. All of my wheels appear to be original with a date stamp of 5/72 (4 1/2 JX15). The only thing that might have happened is that the original owner had them painted body color at the factory since he was an employee. VW didn't make the wheels but they were supplied by an outside vendor and were likely painted black before they arrived at the VW factories.

As an aside, these rims but not the disc, appear to be the same as the rims that were on my 1951 Studebaker Champion. The drop in the rim center might have been different but if it wasn't then Studebaker rims may be a good substitute is you are looking for a wider rim. Back in 1951 the Champion models had 4 1/2 inch wide rims while the Commander models had 5 inch wide rims; restorers typically change Champion wheels and brakes for the larger Commander parts since the suspension parts are identical. I am going to get a Studebaker wheel and check the back spacing to compare it with my VW wheels. Any rim shop should be able to separate the discs and weld them to the respective rims. Some of the wider VW rims will hit the strut spring support while a 5 inch rim will clear it. By the way, the later struts will fit the earlier Supers. A guy in Australia put earlier struts on his '73 and he says it was a bolt in job. He has a YouTube video on replacing the shifter bushing. His '73 is Sliver in color along with the special wheels that look like spokes.