1956 Canadian Standard

[guzziguy]

Due to the unfortunate hijacking of another thread, I'll start another one. I've added several pictures to the gallery, and here they are. The car is what I believe to be original. It's pretty gross, but not gross enough that I can't tolerate it for now. The duct tape wasn't my addition. This is exactly the way I got it.

The turn signal switch was obviously replaced at one time with whatever they had on the shelf, I would imagine, and that's why it's Ivory instead of black. The shifter and e-brake handle also should be black, and is evident by the worn paint. There is almost no rust, but there is a small hole under the foil tape on the rear right quarter, and a bit on the left rear bumper mount.

The wheels look as though they were painted body color on the inner and outer rim.

The car was manufactured in June 1956.

The front seats have been recovered in some ugly velour, which now looks like a shaved cat. They were simply too ugly, and not really relevant to the 'what the heck is a Canadian Standard', and therefore omitted to save everyone's lunch.

[RareAir]

I thought Canadian-spec cars came with semaphores?

[guzziguy]

Euro spec cars did.

[kafer53]

A canadian standard (or canadian custom) is a special model made for the canadian market by VW. They started manufacturing them in the mid 1950's to appeal to the canadian market as we were one of the early export markets.
The car is very much like the euro standard model however, it has its own unique characteristics that are unique to this model.
It should have chrome trim (door handles, hub caps, bumpers, body trim) however has no chrome trim around the windows like the deluxe cars. The dash knobs, shifter knob, heater knob, seat rails, etc are all painted black like the standard and other areas like the speaker grill is painted the body colour, it has the standard black three spoke steering wheel, it has wing nut seat hold downs, partial headliner, "plain jane" door panels and seat material (it looks like what you have is correct). "Bullet" style turn signals are correct for this model (no semi's like the euro standards).
One unique thing with them is that they have hydraulic brakes and a syncro gear box for 2-4 gear.
Hope this helps. Congrats on your car! It looks to be fairly complete. They are very unique
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1953 Zwitter 11C (L73)

[guzziguy]

Thanks again kafer. I just wish my interior was in better shape. I'm going to pull the tape off the door panels, and see what's under there. I may recover them temporarily, and try to clean the rest, so my wife isn't so disgusted with it.

[Riff Raff]

Very nice car!
I'm glad it has gone to a good home, I was afraid that car was on the slippery slope to getting slammed.
I looked at it in the PO's garage last winter and was impressed with the lack of rust.
Hopefully you can patch up the interior to get it respectable.
Do you know any of the history of the car?
_________________
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin

[warcrocop]

[guzziguy]

[RareAir]

[Mowser]

[steveo_32]

I have a jungle green 56 cnd std minus you turn signal assembly (should be black) you will have what everone has said.
Nice car good find!
I also have Black wiper arms.
and a pushbutton start, but i believe the start button was a option purchase or dealer installed.

[Riff Raff]

Good eye on the wiper arms. The mounts should be black, and the arms are actually a thick wire, not flat.

I think I have a spare black signal light switch housing for you. I'll check tonight and let you know.

Edit: I traded the PO a radio for that for a bus muffler, did you get the radio with it?
_________________
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin

[Chad M]

I would have thought '53 was the last year for the wire style wipers.
Weird.

[Riff Raff]

I had a 57 CS that came with the wire arms. That's all I'm basing it on.

Actually, I think I still have those arms.
_________________
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin

[guzziguy]

Chad, I'm pretty sure you said they were incorrect wiper arms when you saw the car. I still think it's remarkable that so many vehicles are found very close to stock, considering 50 years, of which 30 where the car was worthless, and could have made a good dune buggy.

[smuenchrath]

Good job on the car - glad to see someone finally bought it! We had looked at it about a year ago, but was told it was sold to someone.

Any thoughts on what you are going to do with the interior? Not too many decent original Canadian Standards out there.

You may want to check out www.classicvws.com if you are looking to do a good restoration on the interior. Not cheap though...

[Dave Haviland]

On the topic of bullets. Canadian cars got amber bullets, US got clear. Making those canadian bullets. Sweet ride.

Dave

[guzziguy]

[Chad M]

[Riff Raff]

I found the black "body" to the turn signal switch, but not the other half for the back side of the steering column.
If you want that half, PM me your address and I'll get it out to you.
_________________
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin