'55 transition year debate?

[*Darren]

[Keith]

So, this means those of us with U.S. spec '55's have 4 month only cars then, correct?

I look forward to putting mine back together once my Westy is done.
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[*Darren]

That is correct. btw, there really wasn't an early 55 US spec car.

[Mr. OGPaint]

I would say that there is an early 55 US (& Canada) spec car, it would have eggs and semaphores and RAM protection bumpers. This same combo was also available in the later portion of 54. A world spec car from early 55 (all of 55 actually) would have semaphores and hearts and blade bumpers
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https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
-
Patrick Hall

[56Cabrio]

[rglsr]

"So according to the VW bulletin Vin # 1-0927 373 is a July 55 model ?'

Yes, could also be very late June production date. Many of these subtle changes are documented in Bob Wilson's book The 1949-1959 VW Beetle. Part of the Authenticity Series, i.e. Porsche 356, etc. (1994) He's got VIN ranges by year/month. Not sure if it's still in print, but worth having if you're a detail freak.

[Chip]

I picked up a pre transition 55 early this fall, 3 fold, ribbed doors, no semaphores, pretty sure it was Texas Brown. It has no fenders, but is obviously a bullet/snowflake car as well. I think it is a June or July built car.

[laneven28]

I recently acquired a strato silver June '55 transitional oval. I'm familiar with pre-transitional ovals and have a few questions about this transitional model after closely looking this one over.

First, the decklid that came with the car is not set up for a big spring with the V plate. Looking through Progressive Refinements, it looks like the change from big spring to small happened on May 3, 1955. Can anyone confirm or argue that my car should be set up for a small spring, and a straight plate on the decklid?

Second, the hood that came with my car is a correct 5 bolt, 4 tab version, but is missing the triangle plate under the VW emblem. Didn't see anything in PR on this detail - is this correct?
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1950 Pearl Grey Hoffman Standard Split Window
1954 Iceland Green Euro 3-Fold Oval
1955 Strato Silver Transitional 3-Fold Oval
1956 Iris Blue Convertible
1958 Pearl White Lowlight KG Convertible
1961 Turkis Ragtop

[Chip]

[janerick3]

I had parts from a June '55 oval and the decklid had the straight-sided spring plate.
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[Russ]

[joel55bug]

[joel55bug]

[Mark Evans]

[Mark Evans]

[project_therapy]

Here is my april 55...three fold, semi, eggs, had over riders prior to resto.

[laneven28]

[janerick3]

I never had the hood from the June '55 car. However, I did pick up a 3-bolt hood w/o the triangular plate at a swap meet for a '57 that I once owned, so I know they exist.
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[laneven28]

I had a friend who's very knowledgeable about these early cars and well known in the vintage scene send me a message saying he believes a June 55 hood should be 5 bolt but missing the triangle plate. I'm feeling pretty confident at this point that I have the correct hood and decklid for my car, although still not clear when that hood transition happened to help the overall community.
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1950 Pearl Grey Hoffman Standard Split Window
1954 Iceland Green Euro 3-Fold Oval
1955 Strato Silver Transitional 3-Fold Oval
1956 Iris Blue Convertible
1958 Pearl White Lowlight KG Convertible
1961 Turkis Ragtop

[55 3fold]

My May 15th production 55' has original hood and no triangle. Also small spring decklid.
My friends January 55 has triangle under hood and big spring decklid. If this helps any?