reliable Source of Information other than CAR OF THE CENTURY

[ZENVWDRIVER]

Can any one advise the source of unreliable split-era information - 1938 to 3/53?

Many of you have alluded to incorrect information, used by me and I sure would like to be more-correct, when discussing matters with (you) experts. For now, I am referring to regular mass-production information and not special-bodied, non-mass produced type one KDF and VW beetle types, like Hebmuller and etc.

… looking for incorrect information in VW's Progressive Refinements and others.... you know, what others ha, ha, ha...

thanks for any info, you may know about.
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... JT Garwood's 2 volumes of Car of the Century is perhaps VERY under rated - many believe these volumes have many errors and are not a reliable reference - LOL, the ONLY ERRORS are these unfounded opinions, by these so called experts ... Garwood's works may be the ONLY expert ,to rely on...
... although, this thread should not include Garwood - forced to look for other sources...
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[EverettB]

You already have a dedicated thread going for possible Garwood errors, please use that if you want to provide input:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=738792

Maybe this thread should be altered for Specific Progressive Refinements issues?

For your Garwood thread:
You could start researching what people have said in the past to post a list or questions in there, here's a Forums search for Garwood errors with possible issues:
Or do a Forum search for Garwood errors, some things come up:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200
_________________
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[ZENVWDRIVER]

[janerick3]

The biggest problem with Progressive Refinements was that the cars were not assembled in chassis number order. Blocks of chassis numbers were assigned to export market cars and these were interspersed on the production line with the home market cars. In the mid-1950s, one or two blocks of chassis numbers per month were assigned for the U.S. (and possibly Canadian) markets. This practice continued into the mid-1970s. Karmann-assembled cars got their own blocks of numbers.

Bottom line is unless all the U.S. and Canadian-market cars in a given block were assembled together within a few days, the dates in Progressive Refinements could be off by weeks for export market cars, assuming home market chassis numbers were used to identify the change points.
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[splitjunkie]

[splitjunkie]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[Splitdog]

This time I won't say anything.........
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CH³NO²

Z = z² + C

Der Blitzkrieg Kafers

#notacallooker

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[Splitdog]

I have read probably 12-15 VW books. 'Small Wonder' by Walter Nelson, 'Birth of the Beetle' by Chris Barber, and 'Progressive Refinements' are all top notch books for accurate and detailed info on VW production, manufacturing, and history. As you go along, you get a feel for the truth. If all 3 of these say the same thing about a precise time or chassis number where something changed, I tend to believe it. Progressive Refinements is the Bible for part changes and numbers.
Also, over time I have built 3 splits, an oval, and a '60 single-cab. From scratch. Lenny Copp at West Coast Classics is a friend of mine, and I am at the shop often. It's a mile away. I also am a member of Der Blitzkrieg Kafers and their cars, as well as 'the compound' where they're built, is legendary. It is 3 miles away and I drop by a lot. In the 15 or so years I've been doing this I always try to make a mental note of specific things or changes to something especially mid-production that I have seen at Lenny's, or Pips'. I've literally seen hundreds of high dollar restos in progress and am always looking for something new to learn. And there are other guys on here that know more than me. Anyway, Garwood's book is clumsy, and he doesn't really nail down exact numbers or dates. Get yourself a copy of Chris Barber's book, and you'll be amazed at the difference. These guys on here are telling you the truth. Hope that helps, Jim

P.S. You haven't lived, until you try to pin down a specific change on an early split convertible.
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CH³NO²

Z = z² + C

Der Blitzkrieg Kafers

#notacallooker

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[Splitdog]

"truth is an interesting word - is a word worth pondering - is a word that is very personal - there are as many truths as there are people - everyone has their own definition - to understand someone's truth
is to understand that person's overall view …"

In a spiritual sense, yes. But in automotive restoration, no. There is only 1 date they started doing something different, and examples, as well as academia support this. Good luck on your endeavors. Jim
_________________
CH³NO²

Z = z² + C

Der Blitzkrieg Kafers

#notacallooker

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[sinclair]

I'd like to get a copy. Years ago when I studied Archaology at Uni I was struck by how decades of teaching and general agreement could be turned on their head by a single find. Reputations lost and volumes of official teaching material made worthless. This isn't in the same league, but I guess anything can be right until its proven wrong. Sometimes right just needs to be adjusted or refined for now on its journey to becoming indisputable fact.

Was it Newton who said he only saw further because he was standing on the shoulder of giants?

[Lind]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

updated

[janerick3]

[splitjunkie]

[finster]