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 · 27 Jul 2021, 12:07 pm

#1044528

while i had the Ivory paint in the gun also refurbished the rear blind

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grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 27 Jul 2021, 5:01 pm

#1044531

That blind looks good Dave.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Jul 2021, 6:36 pm

#1044532

I got it off the BLIND man

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 29 Jul 2021, 10:51 am

#1044538

Found these Original Seat tags when i stripped the seats

The date matches my car June 1956

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silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 29 Jul 2021, 6:55 pm

#1044539

Looks very nice..

Keeping it real !

Mitchvwnut Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Dec 2013 · 29 Jul 2021, 10:43 pm

#1044540

looks like its coming together nicely Dave.

- Feb '55 beetle
- '89 transporter - EJ25 engine & gearbox

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Jul 2021, 9:17 am

#1044541

Yes its progressing
nearly finished the interior now

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 Aug 2021, 1:07 pm

#1044562

Have now made and fitted the rear speaker shelf I use to have the speakers in the doors but decided to fit behind the rear seat

I bought ( swapped ) the Blaupunkt AM / FM / SW Stereo 6V / 12V Radio at Bad Camberg in 1991 works really nice, have fitted new knobs that match the light and wiper switches as well

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 Aug 2021, 1:08 pm

#1044563

The rear interior now finished

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 11 Aug 2021, 12:49 pm

#1044569

Front seats assembled and fitted just need to fit the indicator arm and steering wheel

Floor mats and insulation fitted as well

Next step to fit a battery and test the wiring out to make sure its all working

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Aug 2021, 9:10 am

#1044578

Making use of the clothes line

started cleaning blasting straightening and re painting the engine tinware

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Aug 2021, 12:36 pm

#1044594

More weekend work manager to fit the interior mirror and sun visors and the external side mirror

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Aug 2021, 12:40 pm

#1044595

anyone remember how to fit the blinker wiring cover on the steering cover, i did it back in 1982 or so when i build the car originally but its giving me grief this time must have to be more persistent

maybe a few beers might make it go together

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 29 Aug 2021, 5:19 pm

#1044629

Started striping the engine tinware and valve train Cleaning and wrapping ready for assembly SOON

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Sep 2021, 1:54 pm

#1044676

Send the side strips out for panel beating and polishing
had to do some bending and twisting to make them fit

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Sep 2021, 2:00 pm

#1044677

Also been cleaning and painting the engine tinware

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Oct 2021, 1:08 pm

#1044745

Fitted the running boards this weekend took a few hours to get them to sit correct

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hulbyw Insano Dub Head

819 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 4 Oct 2021, 2:45 pm

#1044746

Worth the time. Look good

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Oct 2021, 12:06 pm

#1044765

More progress fitted the front bumper and Bosch fog lights i had forever

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Oct 2021, 12:07 pm

#1044766

Getting there slowly

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Oct 2021, 7:30 am

#1044801

Little work last weekend

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Nov 2021, 10:00 am

#1044835

The Fog lights took a little bit of work as the globes were shorting out on the body housing, so had to glue some rubber sheet into the backs of the housing to insulate the globes from shorting out

also with help of Leigh fitted a 6 Volt relay to allow the voltage / current to power the fogs when operating

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Nov 2021, 10:00 am

#1044836

no use fitting an accessory unless it WORKS

also upgraded the globes to Quartz Halogen, nice and bright now

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Nov 2021, 10:25 am

#1044847

Bonnet fitted the other day and it locks perfect also fitted a back up bonnet release cable in case something goes wrong save cutting the bonnet handle

Aligning the Flying VW Bonnet emblem to get it sitting correct

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Nov 2021, 10:26 am

#1044848

Made a new bonnet liner and fitted electrical wiring cover

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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Nov 2021, 10:27 am

#1044849

Had to move the fog Lights to the outer position as they were hitting on the bonnet when opening

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viiking Officially Full-On Dubber

253 posts · joined May 2012 · 17 Nov 2021, 7:21 am

#1044853

vw54 wrote:Made a new bonnet liner and electrical wiring cover

How did you make the wiring cover. I have an original for my Dad's '68 and would like to make it look better/paint/recover.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Nov 2021, 10:55 am

#1044854

Opps left out a word there Fitted
But i could also make one if i had the mould in fibreglass

If your dads one is good it might be Ok to take a mould off but I think someone has already been making them in fibreglass

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hulbyw Insano Dub Head

819 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 17 Nov 2021, 6:00 pm

#1044858

The cardboard wiring cover on my '68 was in need of repair however I could not figure out a way to repair it and it look ok (toyed with the idea of paper mache) so in the end purchased a plastic one and covered it in black vinyl. I used a contact glue from Car Builders which is meant for high temperatures and a good quality 2 way stretch vinyl. Turned out quite well but obviously doesn't look original.
Cheers

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Nov 2021, 10:49 am

#1044873

working slowly

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