My 1956 Oval Sunroof

vw54 · 2011-06-27T04:06:51+00:00

My 1956 Oval Window Sunroof model, turned 55 years old today I have now owned it for 30 years as well Over the years its has under gone some transformations I purchased it in June 1981, after selling my 1928 model A tourer, I was looking for a new project to begin. I found it tucked away in the back of a garage with some 20 other Volkswagen vehicles. I went to look at a 1954 Oval that had been advertised and discovered the 56 in the corner. Knowing the value of an Original Oval sunroof I quickly snapped it up, although It had been cut down into a Baja Buggy ( what a waste ) Upon initial inspecting it was missing the guards, bonnet, and engine lid. I found these scattered around the place and added them to the purchased I spent the next 3 years rebuilding the car and restoring it back to all original condition with original motor and gearbox Once restored I drove it to work in peak hour traffic for the next 7 years, also changing and modifying engine components along the way First of I fitted a Ken virgin Twin Carburettor set up which gave the 36 hp loads of extra torque and also made it nippy. Following this I fitted a set of Maico front disc Brakes which made it pull up better. Then followed a Judson Super charger set up, which it still runs. I took it off full registration in 1990 and used the Car club conditional rego scheme for a few years until 2003 when I stopped driving it and had it in storage as I had just completed my 1965 Sea Blue Sunroof restoration, and wanted to drive that around About 3 years ago I decided to re restore the 56 and so progress is happening

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Jun 2011, 11:24 am

#849160

Factory Letter 1

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Jun 2011, 11:25 am

#849161

Factory Letter 2 or origional Birth certificates

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Feb 2012, 4:32 pm

#885018

Its taking time but gradual progess is good

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h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 3 Feb 2012, 8:07 pm

#885045

ian.mezz wrote:Rose says it looks like a old farts car 😂🤪😂

😂
media whore too by the looks so when are u whoreing eye candy in vwma? 😵‍💫
just pics of the car mate as if u are in them craig may need a centrefold 😂 🙅

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Feb 2012, 8:19 pm

#885051

I can DO that 4 sure

Have added this pic at the start of the Re Restoration in March 2008

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 22 Sep 2016, 9:04 am

#1030190

The start of the Re Resto

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nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 22 Sep 2016, 3:40 pm

#1030203

Very nice car.You have done a fantastic job with that one.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Sep 2016, 7:44 am

#1030211

under the carpets the Original VW Blue

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nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 23 Sep 2016, 3:27 pm

#1030218

So what happened to the sunvisor? Pretty rare find there.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Sep 2016, 7:16 pm

#1030244

That's a funny story I was driving to Valla in about 89 or ?? and a very large truck was coming the other way

the attaching bolts may have been loose the vacuum from the truck pulled the sun visor straight off the car, I pulled over and searched the surround paddocks but couldn't find it think it got stuck on the truck heading towards Sydney

Never been able to find another one like it was a genuine VW accessory

I am adding some of the body resto pics on Monday so will add them to a previous reply to try and keep in order

Started making some gearbox gaskets today carnt find split case ones any where

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nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 24 Sep 2016, 8:50 pm

#1030249

Nothing at CIP1- thought they had parts for everything

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Sep 2016, 9:03 pm

#1030252

Finally found some enthusiasm and have started rebuilding a split case gearbox for the re restoration of my 56

thanks Gary not as comprehensive as your project

Yeah this is the Re Restoration of my Oval the body has been repaired and painted ( grey n cream ) must add some pics

I knew I had a rattle gearbox ( teeth off main shaft 1st gear ) so re building it to get the pan back together

Its only really the selector housing end cover or nose cone call it what you like

I have good material Klinger paper in 2 thickness and scissors n hole punch

not listed on the CIP site buggar

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HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 25 Sep 2016, 6:06 am

#1030255

Did you try here, Dave 😁 :-

http://www.vintageveedub.com.au/

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 25 Sep 2016, 8:17 am

#1030258

come on Greg you probably have a set in the shed for me

Looks like scissors and Klinger material are on for today

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Sep 2016, 12:54 pm

#1030349

More Body Shell pics

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Sep 2016, 12:55 pm

#1030350

Metal work finished and at the Panel shop for filler and paint

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lardo Officially Full-On Dubber

288 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 27 Sep 2016, 7:48 pm

#1030359

I have a couple of sun visors minus the mounting brackets if your interested.
Neil

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 28 Sep 2016, 7:05 am

#1030366

Gooday Neil

Are they full metal like this one, do they have alloy strip on the front

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 29 Sep 2016, 7:50 am

#1030387

Gearbox now together just have to fit the axle tubes and backing plates

Progress

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nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 29 Sep 2016, 9:25 am

#1030389

Dave, are you doing the gearbox yourself?

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Oct 2016, 5:18 pm

#1030502

Yes have always done split case gearboxes there pretty simple only a few measurements done about 15 or so but not for a while now so had to put thinking cap back on

the tunnel cases need a jig or cut away box to dummy up

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HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 13 Nov 2016, 5:21 pm

#1031485

vw54 wrote:come on Greg you probably have a set in the shed for me

Looks like scissors and Klinger material are on for today

Any tips on making gaskets, Dave ?

My '54 box is back together, however I need to make the 'nose' gasket. Thickness is important, as it controls the bearing pre-load.

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Nov 2016, 5:37 pm

#1031486

yeah Greg that's just what I had to do

I got some gasket material paper type 2 thickness good quality stuff

you need a ring spacer gasket as well to take up the pre load I have patterns and material if you want

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HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 14 Nov 2016, 2:00 pm

#1031513

All done now, Dave. Thanks for the offer though. Those early split-case boxes are nice and simple. 👍

Inside the trans is like new...the odometer shows 22k miles, and, judging by the condition of the car, that's original.

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Dec 2016, 10:32 am

#1032557

the Xmas break allows time to do some work on the chassis

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 2 Jan 2017, 12:54 pm

#1032706

Chassis nearly back on 4 wheels

had to find narrow brake shoes the wheel cylinders I had Stainless steel sleeved years ago just had to fit new rubbers

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 2 Jan 2017, 12:58 pm

#1032707

I measured the rear suspension before I removed it and fitted back the same way 11.5 on the drivers side and 11 degrees on the passenger side went together easy with new rubbers

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