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747frieghtdog Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2007 Posts: 215 Location: JAX, FL
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: 56-57 heater vents |
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I have owned 4 Ovals throught he years, and recently acquired a 56. My question to someone who may know is, was there a change in heater outlets in the lower foot wells? I had a 55 and know they are placed forward rather than aft, but have seen 56, 57's with both positions being represented.
I have looked at several here on the site in the gallery, and it seems there may have been a change during 56 production. I guess there could be the occasional channel replacement with later channels, being positioned closer to the door jamb.
Thanks. _________________ 55 Oval |
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vwsonmybrain Samba Member

Joined: March 21, 2007 Posts: 703 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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IIRC, they did move back mid year 56... just can't remember what the specific date would have been. I had a later 56 with the heater vents towards the back. |
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747frieghtdog Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2007 Posts: 215 Location: JAX, FL
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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Best I could come up with is December 56, does anybody know if that is correct? Thanks for your thoughts. _________________ 55 Oval |
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type4split Samba Member

Joined: May 23, 2007 Posts: 718 Location: Hamilton, Indiana
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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My book shows the moved back 4" in January of 57 _________________ '67 deluxe bus w/the little windows
'52 beetle
'55 convertible
'50-something convertible (*need ribbed 'vert quarter panel )
'63 "milo" beetle
Part, parts and more parts |
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janerick3 Samba Member

Joined: June 04, 2006 Posts: 1892 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:23 am Post subject: |
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Ovals had 4 types of front heater channel vents:
- '53s had the round hole carried over from the splits
- '54s and '55s had a larger, oval hole in the same location with a mesh screen tack-welded to the inside of the channel
- '56s and early '57s had stamped louvers in the same location
- A new heater channel, with an internal pipe, was introduced on 19 December 1956 (9 January 1957 on cabriolets), per Progressive Refinements. The footwell vent was moved closer to the door, where it remained through the 1968 model year. _________________ Thanks,
Jan K. |
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0nebadbug Samba Member

Joined: October 01, 2009 Posts: 1087 Location: Rockford, Illinois
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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janerick3 wrote: |
- A new heater channel, with an internal pipe, was introduced on 19 December 1956 (9 January 1957 on cabriolets), per Progressive Refinements. The footwell vent was moved closer to the door, where it remained through the 1968 model year. |
Ya' learn something new everyday here...
I always thought they didn't start adding the second tube until '65 year model.
Nice to know something new about my '57  _________________ ::: Slowoval ::: LaDawri Sebring ::: '61 Creampuff ::: Dust Storm '66 ::: |
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oneeyedducky Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2012 Posts: 79 Location: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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heater vents moved from the very front of the foot well to just in front of the door during the middle of the 58 model year,not 57 |
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0nebadbug Samba Member

Joined: October 01, 2009 Posts: 1087 Location: Rockford, Illinois
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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oneeyedducky wrote: |
heater vents moved from the very front of the foot well to just in front of the door during the middle of the 58 model year,not 57 |
So when was the inner heat tube added then? _________________ ::: Slowoval ::: LaDawri Sebring ::: '61 Creampuff ::: Dust Storm '66 ::: |
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cj1971 Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2006 Posts: 121 Location: Hythe Kent UK
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:29 am Post subject: Heater Vents |
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My car has the heater vents further back,it left the factory 9th January 1957............. |
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Snort Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2005 Posts: 1960 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:11 am Post subject: |
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Progressive Refinements (as above) lists the change in heat vent location moving closer to the door starting with chassis number 1 385 974.
My car was produced about 10,000 units previous to this number and indeed, the vents are in the forward position. |
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Schwing Samba Member

Joined: May 10, 2009 Posts: 2507 Location: Centreville, MD
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:26 am Post subject: |
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oneeyedducky wrote: |
heater vents moved from the very front of the foot well to just in front of the door during the middle of the 58 model year,not 57 |
Thats not right they moved in '57. I have an April '57 and my heater vents on the original channels were close to the door pillar (less forward). My vin is 1503962 so this lines up with Snort's comment.
I always heard it was Jan 57 or later when they shifted, not 58. _________________ Shadetree Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657279&highlight=
Single Cab - BBXXVII Long Distance Winner
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0 |
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