Wrong engine, so why not graft a ragtop?

[Westy Steve]

Hey guys,

I’m looking at getting a ‘56 Oval. It will need a whole bunch of work but I like it because it’s complete and I can do a rolling restoration on it.

It has a 36HP engine, but the engine isn’t numbers matching. Also, I have my heart set on changing the rusty paint color and like the idea of putting in an interior that looks generally stock (and tasteful), but won’t be stock…like using tweed or herringbone.

So if the car is going to give purists a heart attack anyway (wrong engine, interior and a color it wasn’t born with), what’s the harm in grafting in a ragtop section before body and paint are finished?

What years ragtops would be correct? 1956 to 1962?

FYI, I plan to do the car to a high standard and keep it for life.

Thanks for any advice.
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Have nice 914, want nice Bug

[56Cabrio]

Well is your car do what you want, why ask others for permission? I can care less what others think of my cars. FYI if it’s a 36hp but not original #’s matching to the car it’s still period correct. I guarantee 60%+ ovals out there with 36hp engines are not matching numbers. 56 to 63 rag tops will work. Make sure you use the older Golde style handle though.

Not the folding style like this, it’s for 63 bug only and for 64-67 bus.

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1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top

RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023

[Dave]

1956 has a one year only sunroof bow.
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2003 Samba Chummie Winner- Best Story

"Those that matter, don't mind,
and those that mind, don't matter"

[56Cabrio]

[Riff Raff]

Speaking as one who has done exactly that, there are reasons to do it, and reasons not to.
Personally, I think if you have a generic oval, grafting in a rag makes it a cooler car.
I also think that a car should forever remain its original colour. (and appreciate the irony of those two statements)

What I have found is:
It adds value to the car
It is more fun on sunny summer days
It sets it apart.
You can take your pet giraffe with you on road trips.

On the other side:
It isn't original anymore and would be difficult to reverse if a future steward wants to put it back to bone stock.
Better do it right or it will be a hack rather than a graft.

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The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin

[VW_Jimbo]

It is your car! Do whatever you want to it! Never mind the noise from anyone else, IT IS YOUR CAR, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO IT!!!!!

A ragtop, if you have the money, is the best thing ever! Except when you use a cheaply engineered, aftermarket ragtop that allows water to enter whenever you wash the car or drive it in a sprinkle of rain! Then a ragtop sucks!!!!

Get a roof section and get er done! I just completed mine in my 54! Found the three fold for $1500 + $500 shipping, missing most of the top sliding parts and having some major rust issues. But I will work through all of it! If you want to see what I went through, you can check out my build thread.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=180

Somewhere in the first 20 pages I welded in the rag section. Maybe later on. There are a lot of body repairs!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Bub]

My only advice is IF you do it, do it PROPERLY.

In 35+ years of VW's and such I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "too bad they grafted in a ragtop" when it was done properly.
I do think that there might be a few special cars that should be left untouched in whatever way they were originally built. But a regular old sedan oval of any vintage isn't on the list.
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[Yustrn]

Never heard anyone say "Wish my car was a hardtop"
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I own a copy of "The Car of the Century" by Garwood. This means I am authorized to act like a twat in thesamba forums.

[Dave]

[56Cabrio]

I don't have the Car Of The Century book, wish I did though. I just remember reading a thread years ago when I was wondering why my 56 didn't have square corners in the rear like a friend of mines 56.
Dave you probably have forgotten more than i will ever know about VW's
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1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top

RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023

[my59]

Having a '59 og ragtop with fixed rear windows, the interior wind storm and increased drag at highway speeds effects top speed and gas milage.
I'd say go all in and add pop outs as well.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[Dave]

[Bruce]

[56Cabrio]

[VW_Jimbo]