1955 Vs 1956

[Cody1956]

Recently acquired a 55 body for parts for my 56 ragtop. What are the man differences between those years.

One thing i noticed was the door channels seemed different but other then that i haven't noticed much

[jooles]

beginning or end of 55?

Julien

[FRK]

August '55 and later is '56 model.
July '55 and earlier is '55 model and totally different.

Doors, steering wheel, shifter, handles, etc.
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[djkeev]

3 fold vws 2 fold ragtop (assuming you are using the term for a fabric sunroof)

There are actually 3 different ragtop set ups in 1956. I've never seen the two earlier versions for they were short lived.

3 fold parts are almost gold if you've got them.

Dave
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[Cody1956]

Dont know. i dont have the Vin off of it. All i want is a list of things that did change during i guess that whole year since i dont know if it was early or late in 55

[drscope]

Early 55's had ribbed doors - late 55's and 56's did not.

Also, the early 55 seats are a different shape then the latter seats.
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[Kjell Roar]

It was a "new" body for the 56 modell, for faster production, and the old machines for pressing out the bodyparts, was worn out and needed replacement. A lot of small details were changed.
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I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...

My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438

[SJ_BIKER]

Not sure what month mine is from...It is black with batwing steering wheel, vynl panels, vynl seats, not sure about the doors....what is a ribbed door?? the headliner is rather cheap looking but stock.....i donot think mine was a nice one but maybe a basellline model.....check my gallery pics for reference and if anyone can tell me how to date this month wise that would be great....i think i have some wrong parts that were replaced at some point....

[djkeev]

[AlteWagen]

that 55 is a keeper!! Most consider a 55 a "real" oval as 56/57 are "new" or late ovals. The 55 will cost more to restore but will be worth more in the end.

[Braukuche]

[billmetric]

it would be sacrilege to use any part of a '55 to repair a '56, virtually none of the lower body or floor panels are interchangeable, the '55 seats are worth 4+ times what a '56 seat goes for, and they are not interchangeable either, so interchangeable parts : body, NO, floor pan NO, doors, NO, even the front fenders are possibly the early type, I wouldnt even use parts of a '55 body to repair a split, although its closer to a split body than to a '56, the '55 is just way more desirable to me than the more common '56-'57 body style, find a '58-'59, '60-'64 anything but a '55,
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[TomSimon]

Having restored an early '55 (well, I almost finished it, but sold it 15 years ago) I ran into all sorts of things that differentiate the early '55 from late '55 and '56 years.

Just to add to the list already made:

* both the inner and outer door handles, window winders (early are grooved)
* doors (as was mentioned), door striker plates (always broken)
* rear seat (both front seats and their tracks, as was mentioned)
* parking brake
* I think the steering column and turn signal switch
* carpet, mostly the location of the shifter, e-brake and lower heater vents, but I also think the early '55 passenger side had no foot rest
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[D. Haviland]

56-57 don't have passenger footrest.

[AlteWagen]

passenger foot rest started in 61

[T*RAV]

The rear luggage tray is completly different. I tried to use a 56 to replace my 55 and it was shorter and had a different angle for sure.
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[bill may]

55 did not have the clamp for the jack. my 55 had corduroy seat covers,but were better looking than herringbone wool in my 52 zwitter.
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[BulliBill]

My June of '55 does not have the welded-in jack storage clamp. My Dec of '57 does have the jack mount clamp.

Bill
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