'58/'59 Beetle Discussion

[mabbo]

Hi guys,

I have been trying to find out what the correct wipers are for my 58... Reading through this thread I can see that the 58 wipers have the separate base and fixed thin arms and blades, the same as ovals.

Apparently oval arms are not sided, but 58s are sided... which is what makes them one year only.

Is this right? My 58 (Nov 57 built) came with a pair of broken wipers. They have the separate base, with thin arms that look to be the same... but both blades have been broken off. So assume the only thing that can make them different to an oval is if one blade is longer than the other?

Thanks, Neil
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[AlteWagen]

57 and earlier had the R vs L wipers as the passenger was at 45 degrees where the drivers was horizontal.

58 is a one year only wiper that fits both sides. As you mentioned its one piece arm and wiper with thin arm where in 59 the arm and wiper are two pieces up ti 64.

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[Darryldh]

[kaieric]

[TXHCBeetle]

Does anyone know if the original screw terminal dimmer switch on an early 58 was branded Hella or VW?
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In Progress:
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[VWNate]

I'm re posting here as I stopped getting notifications and I want to read every one .

Is there a hyperlink or button I need to click ? .

TIA,
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-Nate

One last Beetle : 1959 #113 DeLuxe survivor ~ 36HP & full synchro tranny, 6 volts etc.

[EverettB]

[VWNate]

Thanx but that sidesteps the question of why I stopped getting replies......
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-Nate

One last Beetle : 1959 #113 DeLuxe survivor ~ 36HP & full synchro tranny, 6 volts etc.

[EverettB]

[VWNate]

Yet again you help me out and I thank you .

I try to check my spam file every day .

At least I'm getting the notifications now .

Thank you Everett .
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-Nate

One last Beetle : 1959 #113 DeLuxe survivor ~ 36HP & full synchro tranny, 6 volts etc.

[jbannon]

I was wondering if anyone had a sample or picture of V52 Blue, which was the color used for the ragtop material in 1958 Glacier Blue cars. I also believe 1959 Fjord Blue Cars used the same color for their ragtop material.

Also on the topic of colors, I found somewhere on the Samba that L471 Stone Beige was used for the steering wheel / seat frames / shifter / e-brake / etc. However this is a euro ragtop car and I have never seen that color used here before (Silver beige seems to be main color used in the interior in Europe). Unfortunately the PO painted everything black in the interior as well as swapped out the original seats, steering wheel, shifter, etc, so I have no reference material to choose from. Is Stone Beige and Silver Beige the same or similar colors? Can anyone confirm which color is correct for the interior?

Any help is appreciated.

[sunroof]

This thread has fallen too far down the list so: Bump

https://www.facebook.com/DonHuebert/videos/10203369041204132

Don
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[bnam]

Apologies if what I am about to post has already been covered in the 147 prior pages. I've only had a chance to read thru about 20-30.

I have been asked by a local club member if a 1959 came with a sway bar. In the first 20-30 posts I saw a few who said 1959s did and some who have them on their 58s.

I looked up 3-4 references books I have - COTC, Progressive Refinements, 1960 Parts Manual, and 1972 parts manual.

Both COTC and PR list Aug 6, 1960 as the introduction of sway bar - and only on the deluxe beetles. The parts manuals do not make that distinction and list the sway bar as "up to 115 999 000".

So, could it be that they were introduced in Aug 59 (MY60), but were available (recommended?) for retrofit on earlier models?

Thanks,
Byas
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[stale air]

[sunroof]

In 1989 I bought a 1959 deluxe in capri blue from the original owner for $50. He had bought it in Germany in 1959 when he was there doing his PHD in physiology. It had a front sway bar. When I sold that car I kept the sway bar and it was in 4 cars all together. When I sold my last '59

in 2019 I left the sway bar in it and am now really regretting that. I would love to be able to put one in this car

Don
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[bwaz]

I found that page in question about fuel pump changes.

[VWNate]

You neglected to mention the 14MM A.T.F. tube typ wrench in the tool kit to service that screen with......
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-Nate

One last Beetle : 1959 #113 DeLuxe survivor ~ 36HP & full synchro tranny, 6 volts etc.

[pdxeuro]

Hi all - I have May 1959 Bug that was coming along nicely until the new Klassic Fab rear fenders were bolted on and did not align. A few questions:

1) anyone else had this issue with Klassic Fab rear fenders for our years? Looks like they stopped selling them on their site (I got them about 2 years ago. If you had them, what was your solution (add in metal to lengthen them a bit?)

2) Since OG rear fenders are as rare as rocking horse poo, what other sources have you found? I see Wolfsburg West now sells $1000 (each!) rear fenders for our year. Do they fit perfect? Is it worth it? Any other sources? I see Kafer Nostalgie has front but no rears.

3) I know you will say/ask - what do you plan to do with the car? I do want it to be OG stock, however will someone stick their head in the wheel well at a show and say the car is shi*t because of this one detail? I will however always know and second guess it.

Love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Thanks in advance

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Portland, Oregon
1991 Westy MV
1959 Bug
1977 Westy Bus - sold
1968 Bug - sold
2002 Eurovan - sold

[sunroof]

First of all good luck with your car, 1959 is the best year ever for beetles.

I have welded 3 cars together now and Klassicfab def has some fitment issues. However! Apart from Wolfparts they are the best in terms of fit, some of the others are truly awful. You might be able to find better fitting fenders but you may not, it's a bit of a crap shoot. My advice about your fenders is to make the necessary adjustments and do the welding to get them to mate up properly.

Don
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[Busstom]

Man those are pretty far off, moreso than I would've expected for his fenders. Bummer. But from what I've read, the metal thickness is correct on those, and that's pretty important. I would echo sunroof's comment and make the necessary adjustments.

If you're not aware, KlassicFab is no longer making VW parts, Gerson had transitioned to vintage Japanese car panels.
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