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batwing steering wheels

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oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#212879
There's two types I know of: the one with only a few ribs, and the other with many smalle ribs... which one comes from which years?

just curious

Tofe
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#212907
I'd say it's related to year...

Bel my 58 has many ribs...or more than on the one on this 53's link

http://www.oldbug.com/artifact.htm

....mmmm...I bought a new book today from the Technical Book Shop 'The Beetle - Production history of the peoples car - Etzold - 2nd Edition, Haynes Publication....

on sale $39.95...It lists all the changes/modifications for each year...and what was happening with their manufacture in the different countires....😎

...I'll go read it for a bit and see what it says....

Hey someone else will come in with info but I'll learn a bit more trying.....😉🙂
"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#212920
In 1955 they changed to the NEW ease grip rim on the steering wheel....

I'm guessing this is when they added more ribs......? Sorta seems logical..but then who knows....Someone?
"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213042
Yeh, if you can see in my avatar, I've got an 'early' batwing i suppose... Is the 'ease grip' rim thicker or something? I feel that my rim is prettty thin - especially after driving modern cars!

Thanks for all the info Jenz!
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

62deluxe Custom Title Time!

1,718 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#213056
I've got both types and the early one is definately thinner.
It also has the groove around the diameter that the later wheel doesn't have. Jen is spot on. The horn button is different too.😎

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213357
Yeh, I like the groove - so old skool ay? 🙂

62delux - I love your Sprintstars!
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#213363
My 58 is certainly thin....gee the early one must feel even weirder then....

Here's Bel's wheel...after it was restored...

...you can see the finger grips underneath.....it's not a smooth backed rim....

[Edited on 7-8-2004 by jenz58]

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"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213364
yeh.. its pretty thin! --- then you have the groove cut into it as well making it even thinner!

[Edited on 7-8-2004 by oval TOFU]
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#213366
Thje front of the later one is rounded as well...you can see the difference in the pics

The early one has that ridge on the front outer top

They are cool steering wheels...I love em..

Have you seen some of the horn buttons you can get...very nice....but also very expensive....I might put one on my Chrissy wish list:thumb
"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213371
Yeh! the greek chick and the 'world' one... i think Flat4 make repros of em...

yeh, do you know what that switch is for in that pic of the early batwing wheel.. the knob on the left on the dash?
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#213381
It sorta doesn't look right...headlights...wipers?

I was trying to see knobs on the other side...I'll go look at my new book again...

Yep the Greek chic is cool...and I love the dragon:kiss

The world is so nice with the blue background......mmmmmm

....that would look great in Bel......

It would be so good to even pick up a repro one...the good old ones cost an arm and a leg...same as nice bud vases:jesus

The wish list is never ending😀
"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213393
the wipers and lights are both in the center... perhaps its for the foglights?

yeh, those horn buttons are wicked.. maybe i could pick some up when i'm in europe? hmmmmm...............................


I'd loooove a bud vase!

the deep dark hole of accessorising!
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

byronbus dsk

4,204 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213395
I have a 54, I'll have to have a closer look at the wheel, but I think mine is like tofus...
www.dsk.com.au

*did*

0 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#213413
His is a '54

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#213417
:thumb:thumb
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#213428
A petri dragon horn button.......$140 US

Can't find the Greek chic..or world...I think the guy I bought the pop outs has them

[Edited on 7-8-2004 by jenz58]

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"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#213434
This is from the guy on The Samba...he has lots of stuff

Here's a very nice wheel with sun & moon button:kiss

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=50936

$495 US :o

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"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#213541
Jenz-that pic with the wheel also gives plenty of other clues you may find in your book.Would be interesting to check it out-I will try to buy it.Check out the speedo,not too many numbers on it,gear lever is straight,doors have the ridge around the trim and the small deflectors on the demisters.From memory the early ones had a starter switch on the dash near that one with the white knob.My Oval has an ignition switch with no start position-only off and ignition on,and I can see where a hole has been welded up on the dash exactly where that one in you pic is.I will probably use a starter button on the dash.

jenz58 Postal Menace

9,121 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#213547
Yep it's the starter button....:thumb

'52...'indicator switch now to the left of the steering wheel....the starter button is also to the left, while the choke is now located on the dashboard to the right of the wheel'
"All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!"

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=22473
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56558#pid535643

...so I don't loose the links to my rides again hehehe

nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#213564
Brilliant-I think we have a new History Teacher.