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Differences between 1955 & 1956 Oval Bug
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Vw1200DeLuxe
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:05 pm    Post subject: Differences between 1955 & 1956 Oval Bug Reply with quote

Hi guys,

I didn't want open a new topic but I didn't find topics where can I read about this.

Can we collect all differences between 55 and 56 or later oval bug?
I know some but I'm sure that there is a lot not just some what can see on the cars.

The best if you can show photos about the differences, because my English is not the best.

My oval "unfortunately" was made in july of 1955, I'm not happy because hard to find all specific parts for the car and very expansive...Only my tank which is original...

If there is a topic about it sorry, I had searched a lot but I didn't find.

Thanks
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Vw1200DeLuxe
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

- heart tail lights
- batwing steering wheel
- ribbed doors
- gas tank is bigger
- one tail pipe
- orange semaphore lenses not yellow
-
-
-
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bugguts
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

US sped 55's have bullets and snowflakes Wink
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bdub475
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends on what month in 55 it was made. A late 55 shares all the same parts as a 56.
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vwclap
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bdub475 wrote:
Depends on what month in 55 it was made. A late 55 shares all the same parts as a 56.

Late 55 from August are 56 model... Smile
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bugguts
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bdub475 wrote:
Depends on what month in 55 it was made. A late 55 shares all the same parts as a 56.

'56 beetles started August 1st 1955 Wink
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bwaz
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vw1200DeLuxe wrote:
- heart tail lights
- batwing steering wheel
- ribbed doors
- gas tank is bigger
- one tail pipe
- orange semaphore lenses not yellow
-
-
-


different front and rear seats
"heartless" egg tail lights
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Vw1200DeLuxe
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bugguts wrote:
US sped 55's have bullets and snowflakes Wink


yes, but this is the us version but the european version has no bullets just semaphores and heart tail light.
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Vw1200DeLuxe
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vwclap wrote:
bdub475 wrote:
Depends on what month in 55 it was made. A late 55 shares all the same parts as a 56.

Late 55 from August are 56 model... Smile


ohh...my car was made in july of 1955...i think i have to buy "some" new parts because my all parts good for the later oval bug Crying or Very sad
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Schwing
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

W lid spring mount is different for a 55 compared to a 56.
Not sure if this was a mid year 55 change but there is whats called a "Big Spring" which has a "V" mount on the decklid, whereas the 56/57 model is more of a "| |" mount.
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mesh heater outlet vs "louvered"

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


1957 moved the outlet back towards the seats more.
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Kjell Roar
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bugguts wrote:
bdub475 wrote:
Depends on what month in 55 it was made. A late 55 shares all the same parts as a 56.

'56 beetles started August 1st 1955 Wink


No, they started 4. august 1955.
First car built in august 55 was 1-0929513, the first 56 year model was 1-0929746, on the 4. august. I have 1-929775, thats #30.
So I think my car was made that day.

Some other changes on 4. august:
The bug got a "new" body, that was faster to build. A lot of small changes on it.
New fuel tap.
New gearlever.
Frontseats 30mm wider, with 3 backrest positions.
Different rear seat.
Different seat runners (7 instead of 2 positions)
Hood, with better stand.
New taillights 60 mm higher. Normally snowflakes.
Lower rideheight (spring plate setting).
Hex headnuts.
Generator pulley with each 2 different withs, secured by a 21mm nut.
Breather with cover plate.
Hand brake wires.
Sliding roof, 2 fold (changed again in november)
Vent wings.
Door, lock and striker plates.
Foam rubber door seals.
Frame tunnel with extended rubber covering.
Battery 66 Ah instead og 70 Ah.
New steering wheel.



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


Last edited by Kjell Roar on Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:36 am; edited 1 time in total
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Blue Baron
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would add that the rear seat was actually moved rearward, providing more leg room for rear seat passengers, and reducing the luggage capacity of the well behind the rear seat. Volkswagen boasted of inceased luggage space anyway, due to the redesigned gas tank.
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Vw1200DeLuxe
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kjell Roar wrote:
bugguts wrote:
bdub475 wrote:
Depends on what month in 55 it was made. A late 55 shares all the same parts as a 56.

'56 beetles started August 1st 1955 Wink


No, they started 4. august 1955.
First car built in august 55 was 1-0929513, the first 56 year model was 1-0929746, on the 4. august. I have 1-929775, thats #30.
So I think my car was made that day.

Some other changes on 4. august:
The bug got a "new" body, that was faster to build. A lot of small changes on it.
New fuel tap.
New gearlever.
Frontseats 30mm wider, with 3 backrest positions.
Different rear seat.
Different seat runners (7 instead of 2 positions)
Hood, with better stand.
New taillights 60 mm higher. Normally snowflakes.
Lower rideheight (spring plate setting).
Hex headnuts.
Generator pulley with each 2 different withs, secured by a 21mm nut.
Breather with cover plate.
Hand brake wires.
Sliding roof, 2 fold (changed again in november)
Vent wings.
Door, lock and striker plates.
Foam rubber door seals.
Frame tunnel with extended rubber covering.
Battery 66 Ah instead og 70 Ah.
New steering wheel.
Smile


My car is 1-0938920
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Joey
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

1-0938920... is the last digit a mistake?

1-093892 would mean it was made in February, same month my '56 was made.
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Kjell Roar
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joey wrote:
1-0938920... is the last digit a mistake?

1-093892 would mean it was made in February, same month my '56 was made.


No, the last digit is no mistake. It is the list on theSamba that isnt correct. Up to 31.12.55 they wrote it that way. 1- for type 1, and then the chassis#.

Fun to see other 56 model year cars from early august!
Smile
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh... So his car was made in Aug '55 since the last vehicle produced in that month was 953 486?
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David
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Such a fun topic 1955 is! here are some helpful threads for the crazy year that was 1955.

Late 55 Questions!

Engine Options for a 55 vw.

Euro oval differences

What are the difference between a 55 and 56 oval

Help, I need some late 55 oval clarification..

1955 beetle rear seat

1955 Vs 1956

55 vin number question

And a few answers I gave in some '1955' threads:

David wrote:
lintmann wrote:
I'm just currious what all the differences are between the North American and European ovals through out the years?


Euro and US Ovals were the same until Oct '54 when US bound cars were fitted with 'Egg' tail lights and still had semaphores.

From http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wired/wired_08_01/wired_08_01.htm

wolfsburgwest.com wrote:
**All 1954-1955 European Beetles were outfited with "heart" taillights.

**All Oct'54 (chassis # 1-0722915) - Mar'55 U.S., Guam, and Canadian market cars used the red convex plastic lens taillights. All of these cars had semaphore directional indicators.

**April'55 - May 2, 1955 (chassis # 1-0871206) U.S., Guam, and Canadian market cars, there are two possibilities. Your car could have the red convex plastic lens taillights and semaphores, or it could have the optional flashing turn signal package with the larger glass taillights and "bullet" style front flashing directional indicators.

**May 3, 1955 (chassis # 1-0871207) - July'55 (chassis # 1-0929746) U.S., Guam, and Canadian market cars were equipped with the flashing indicator package as standard equipment. So, this car would have the larger glass taillights and "bullet" style front directional indicators.


Quote:
I'm also currious about when the 3 fold sunroofs stopped and the 2 folds started.

Thanks. Smile


3 Fold sunroofs were until Jul 31 1955. When they made the switch to 'Model Year' for the 1956 models, they also went to 2 fold sunroofs. First with square rear corners, rounded fronts then to round rear & fronts.


David wrote:
ghia1969 wrote:
I am a ghia guy, going to purchase a 55 ragtop oval. When did the oval go from a 3 fold to a 2 fold ragtop. The bug I am purchasing has a 2 fold and i want to make sure it was not a grafted ragtop. How can I verify that it is correct to the car?


OP, if you can get the chassis and body numbers to us, we can determine what month the car was built.
This will help a lot, since the car could very well be a 1955 YoM or 1956 MY car.

bugguts wrote:
55 model year beetles have ribbed doors. Easy way to tell is the location of the inside handles. Ribbed door handles are crooked compared to non ribbed


There is no '55 model year'. Jan 1 1955 - Jul 31 1955 was the last 'Year of Manufacture' from VW.
Aug 1 1955 (through Jul 31 1956) was the beginning of the 'Model Year' nomenclature to be applied to VW, which marked the beginning of the 1956 Model Year.

I'm just trying to make sure the OP is getting the correct info regarding his new car Smile

ghia1969 wrote:
Bought it today! Will post pics when I get it home next Saturday.


Congrats! You're in for a wild ride!


David wrote:
drscope wrote:
NOT all 55's had ribbed doors! 55 is a strange year!


Yes they did. The 1955 calendar year for VW was a crazy year. Most of that craziness was during the YoM (Year of Manufacturing) for 1955 models. This was due to changes in bumpers and turning indicators for the US market. They went from Heart to Egg to the most known for type for Ovals through the Early Square windows. They eliminated Semaphores for the US as well and came up with bullets for the front fenders.

Quote:
Early 55's had ribbed doors and different seats. Late 55's had non-ribbed doors and were essentially the same as 56's.


No - 1955's have ribbed doors, 1956's have non-ribbed flat doors.

Quote:
You HAVE to be careful and be aware of what you have when ordering things like uphostery for a 55. Otherwise you get stuck with a very expensive set of brick red seat covers that won't fit your seats. I hate having to buy things twice just to get the right ones.


Yes, one has to be careful with the selection of parts, and it important to dig around, ask questions and get reliable information. Which you're not providing.

'1954 car' = cars built Jan 1 - Dec 31 1954 (YoM). Though, I would say no cars were built the last week of 1954 Wink
'1955 car' only applies to cars built Jan 1 - Jul 31 1955 (YoM).
'1956 car' applies to cars built Aug 1 1955 -Jul 31 1956 (Model Year) ...and every year after that.

Even my current car manufacturer, Audi (owned by VW)has a cutoff for each Model Year in the US. I don't know the exact date, but I do know for the most part, they release each new Model Year in the US on Aug 1st. There have been a few stragglers they've released early, like custom ordered cars already spoken for.

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but as a person with two cars from this era (Oct '54 & an April '55) I spent a lot of time figuring out the subtle differences of each car and what parts were period/month correct (Try finding an Oct '54 Speedo) vs universal (Ashtray or GB Door).
The speedo was unique for Oct/Nov '54:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


ghia1969 wrote:
VIN 1-0877808


WooHoo - it's officially a 1955 Year of Manufacture car!

bugguts wrote:
Its a may 1955,so it should be a three fold with ribbed doors.


word - best of the best right there!

Some light reading on the subject of tail lights/semaphores/bullets:
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wired/wired_08_01/wired_08_01.htm

wolfsburgwest.com wrote:
**April'55 - May 2, 1955 (chassis # 1-0871206) U.S., Guam, and Canadian market cars, there are two possibilities. Your car could have the red convex plastic lens taillights and semaphores, or it could have the optional flashing turn signal package with the larger glass taillights and "bullet" style front flashing directional indicators.

**May 3, 1955 (chassis # 1-0871207) - July'55 (chassis # 1-0929746) U.S., Guam, and Canadian market cars were equipped with the flashing indicator package as standard equipment. So, this car would have the larger glass taillights and "bullet" style front directional indicators.


My Oct '54 car has semaphores, but it came with Eggs according to the Birth Certificate and the Wolfsburg West article. You may want to send off for your car's BC to determine it's colors and options. That is, if you're restoring to factory spec Cool

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David
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kjell Roar wrote:
No, they started 4. august 1955.
First car built in august 55 was 1-0929513, the first 56 year model was 1-0929746
, on the 4. august. I have 1-929775, thats #30.
So I think my car was made that day.


Do you have a source for this? It's interesting because you're the first person I've heard say this about the '55 to '56 changeover.
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

David wrote:
Kjell Roar wrote:
No, they started 4. august 1955.
First car built in august 55 was 1-0929513, the first 56 year model was 1-0929746
, on the 4. august. I have 1-929775, thats #30.
So I think my car was made that day.


Do you have a source for this? It's interesting because you're the first person I've heard say this about the '55 to '56 changeover.


Its in the Progressive refinementslist from Volkswagenwerk A.G.
Link:
www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/progressive_refinements/index.php

And its also mentioned in an old book, Der Käfer, eine dokumentation 1, by Etzold (out of print).

Besides, they celebrated the #one million vw on 5. august 1955 (a friday), the day after the first cars. At that time I think they used about 100 hours to build a car (have I heard), down from 180 on the 55, so they probably started producing the cars 1. of august.

It was about 140.000 guests in Wolfsburg to celebrate #1 000 000 that weekend, and they introduced the new 56 year model. I have reed that they used all the first new cars that weekend to transport guests, and the dealers drove home from the event with a new dealer car (in Norway we call them demonstration cars).

I had my car since 1990, so I have tried to pick up as much information as I can, about these first cars.

My car had only been out of use from 1983 to 1990. The BC tells that it passed last checkpoint before shipping, point 8, on 31. august, and left for Raffay in Hamburg on 1. september. Point 8 is the day in the BC, not nececerrely the day it went off the assembly line. Dont know why it was in Wolfsburg 4 weeks after the production. I asked the museum, but they could only confirm that my car was #30 that went into the assembly line, and that it was counted in as produced before # 1.000.000.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Mosel valley, Germany, last summer

After a year, my car was bought by a Norwegian captain, who took it home to Norway and used the car until 1981. Then his niese got it and it was parked in 1983, with leaking engine. Luckily a guy I know found it, and bought it. It was nearly rust free, but the paint was bad. He fixed the engine, and stored it for 7 years, until I bought it in 1990. I registred it, and have driven the car since, only done service, painted it and some brake job. Reliable car, drove 3000 km to Germany and Bad Camberg last summer. But it will need more attention soon, it has never been restored.
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My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438


Last edited by Kjell Roar on Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:01 am; edited 2 times in total
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