How many RHD zwitters are out there in OZ? Has anyone got one and can you put some pictures of it up?
Thanks Guys
dubai Seriously Crusin Dubber
161 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·
Zwitters
vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday
16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
i know of an IDIOT that converted a zwitters to a split dash for some strange reason
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409
donn Wolfsburg Elder
3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·
i think I'm being left behind, saw the Zwitter thing and thought it was some new face book thingie or somthn. 😁
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds
2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Yes, it's another stupid name for a VW model given to us by the UK VW magazines - along with 'bay window', 'razor', 'T25', 'IRS' (for double-joint rear) and 'wedge', among others.
As far as I can tell, 'zwitter' is a German word that means 'hybrid'. In other words, for a Spilt-window Beetle with an Oval-window dashboard. These were only made for a few months, from late 1952 to the early months of 1953. The Germans themselves don't use the 'zwitter' term - it's a UK bastardization. The Germans call them 'brezelfensters.'
They were never sold in Australia, as Volkswagens weren't imported here until late 1953 and were officially launched at Easter 1954. Any oval-dash splits you see are private imports.
As far as I can tell, 'zwitter' is a German word that means 'hybrid'. In other words, for a Spilt-window Beetle with an Oval-window dashboard. These were only made for a few months, from late 1952 to the early months of 1953. The Germans themselves don't use the 'zwitter' term - it's a UK bastardization. The Germans call them 'brezelfensters.'
They were never sold in Australia, as Volkswagens weren't imported here until late 1953 and were officially launched at Easter 1954. Any oval-dash splits you see are private imports.
Mr Bubble Head Insano Dub Head
829 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Whys that stupid ?Phil74Camper wrote:Yes, it's another stupid name for a VW model given to us by the UK VW magazines - along with 'bay window', 'razor', 'T25', 'IRS' (for double-joint rear) and 'wedge', among others.
The Germans themselves don't use the 'zwitter' term - it's a UK bastardization. The Germans call them 'brezelfensters.'.
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vwjon Fahrvergnugen
914 posts · joined Jul 2006 ·
Phil what would you rather call them? why do you think the names given are "stupid"? seems a strange comment.
at least everyone knows what they are talking about.
at least everyone knows what they are talking about.
3 1959 cadillacs
1 musso
2 early notchbacks
2 split kombis
2 split panels
1 split ute
1 low light panel
1 ex-pmg bay
1 country buggy
1 beetle ute
1 14" syncro caravelle
1 16" syncro doka
1 golf cabrio
1 vw camper trailer
2 3meter bombs
1 musso
2 early notchbacks
2 split kombis
2 split panels
1 split ute
1 low light panel
1 ex-pmg bay
1 country buggy
1 beetle ute
1 14" syncro caravelle
1 16" syncro doka
1 golf cabrio
1 vw camper trailer
2 3meter bombs
Mr Bubble Head Insano Dub Head
829 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
It seems alittle stupid to me to place a personal judgement on what has become a worldwide known and well accepted term.
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Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds
2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Do I really have to explain this?
Someone in the UK decides to come up with a kewl, 'in' name for the unusual and collectable oval-dashed split. OK, it's like a hybrid, innit? Whassa German word for hybrid? Zwitter. Awesome!
I imagine when the UK magazines first started using the term in the 1990s, eveyone thought "what the hell is a zwitter"? I would think that most of them still do today. Of course peer pressure is a powerful force and the readers had to start playing along - they wouldn't want people to think them ignorant, or somehow 'out of the loop'. So now everyone thinks that it's a 'worldwide well-accepted' term. Sorry, I don't agree with that. It's not a term that Volkswagen ever used, for starters. I have run VW trivia quizzes at our club meetings for more than ten years, and I have a pretty good idea of what the average VW fan knows and doesn't know. 'Zwitter' might be an 'in' term in certain circles but it's not well known generally.
Here's a test - go for a wander through the crowd at the next VW show and casually ask strangers "do you know what a zwitter is?" see how many positive resonses you get. Do the experiment. Surely calling them 'oval-dash splits' makes a lot more sense, and describes them perfectly.
We are all entitled to our opinions, and to express them, and you are of course equally entitled to disagree with me. This whole forum is about making personal judgements and that's not going to change.
Someone in the UK decides to come up with a kewl, 'in' name for the unusual and collectable oval-dashed split. OK, it's like a hybrid, innit? Whassa German word for hybrid? Zwitter. Awesome!
I imagine when the UK magazines first started using the term in the 1990s, eveyone thought "what the hell is a zwitter"? I would think that most of them still do today. Of course peer pressure is a powerful force and the readers had to start playing along - they wouldn't want people to think them ignorant, or somehow 'out of the loop'. So now everyone thinks that it's a 'worldwide well-accepted' term. Sorry, I don't agree with that. It's not a term that Volkswagen ever used, for starters. I have run VW trivia quizzes at our club meetings for more than ten years, and I have a pretty good idea of what the average VW fan knows and doesn't know. 'Zwitter' might be an 'in' term in certain circles but it's not well known generally.
Here's a test - go for a wander through the crowd at the next VW show and casually ask strangers "do you know what a zwitter is?" see how many positive resonses you get. Do the experiment. Surely calling them 'oval-dash splits' makes a lot more sense, and describes them perfectly.
We are all entitled to our opinions, and to express them, and you are of course equally entitled to disagree with me. This whole forum is about making personal judgements and that's not going to change.
HappyDaze Superannuated
2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·
I'm with you, donn. Thought "it's probably some sort attachment for a mobile phone, or something - don't want to know about it".🤪donn wrote:i think I'm being left behind, saw the Zwitter thing and thought it was some new face book thingie or somthn. 😁
Tend to agree with Phil - wha'ts wrong with using names that relate to the actual thing that you are talking about?
❓
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Smiley Veteran Volks Folk
2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·
This seems to be a bit of a biased experiment. Given that none of them were sold in Australia. I knew of the term but I had no idea what it was except for being an early 50's model car.Phil74Camper wrote:Here's a test - go for a wander through the crowd at the next VW show and casually ask strangers "do you know what a zwitter is?" see how many positive resonses you get. Do the experiment.
I do agree that some of the terms that people use are downright confusing like calling a Type 3 a T3.
One that I'm a bit half and half about is the 'IRS'.
It is an incredibly widely excepted term and pretty well everyone knows what you're talking about, unless they're not into dubs. You try explaining to the boys at work that you're trying to convert your swingaxle Baja, which is obviously independent suspension to IRS. It gets confusing, I normally just end up telling them it's going to be better IRS.
Smiley 😎
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.
Mr Bubble Head Insano Dub Head
829 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
So in your opinion does that mean the "Thing" is not a recgonised term ?
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vwjon Fahrvergnugen
914 posts · joined Jul 2006 ·
Phil, what evidence do you have its an english name and not American? i first heard of zwitters on american forums.
also do you call a vw bug a Kafer?
i'll be working on my T25 dash-T3 windowed panel van if you need me!😀
also do you call a vw bug a Kafer?
i'll be working on my T25 dash-T3 windowed panel van if you need me!😀
3 1959 cadillacs
1 musso
2 early notchbacks
2 split kombis
2 split panels
1 split ute
1 low light panel
1 ex-pmg bay
1 country buggy
1 beetle ute
1 14" syncro caravelle
1 16" syncro doka
1 golf cabrio
1 vw camper trailer
2 3meter bombs
1 musso
2 early notchbacks
2 split kombis
2 split panels
1 split ute
1 low light panel
1 ex-pmg bay
1 country buggy
1 beetle ute
1 14" syncro caravelle
1 16" syncro doka
1 golf cabrio
1 vw camper trailer
2 3meter bombs
Mr Bubble Head Insano Dub Head
829 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
I think the T3 Type 3 debate has been covered many times over. However it's an easy mistake to make. To me "T" stands for transporter i.e. T1 = splitty, T2 = Baywindow, T3 = wedge, etc.Smiley wrote:This seems to be a bit of a biased experiment. Given that none of them were sold in Australia. I knew of the term but I had no idea what it was except for being an early 50's model car.Phil74Camper wrote:Here's a test - go for a wander through the crowd at the next VW show and casually ask strangers "do you know what a zwitter is?" see how many positive resonses you get. Do the experiment.
I do agree that some of the terms that people use are downright confusing like calling a Type 3 a T3.
One that I'm a bit half and half about is the 'IRS'.
It is an incredibly widely excepted term and pretty well everyone knows what you're talking about, unless they're not into dubs. You try explaining to the boys at work that you're trying to convert your swingaxle Baja, which is obviously independent suspension to IRS. It gets confusing, I normally just end up telling them it's going to be better IRS.
Smiley 😎
recycle, restore, enjoy
h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle
7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·
😂 golddonn wrote:i think I'm being left behind, saw the Zwitter thing and thought it was some new face book thingie or somthn. 😁
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Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com
Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity
Barrels www.barrelman.com.au
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matberry Moderator Go hard or go home
8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·
👍Mr Bubble Head wrote:So in your opinion does that mean the "Thing" is not a recgonised term ?
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helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body
7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
All T2's are Type 2's, but not all Type 2's are T2's😁
Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds
2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Looks like we're making some progress here! It's nice to be able to point out that, sometimes, the emperor has no clothes.
True Smiley, yes they were never sold here and the term wasn't even used until the 1990s. The term has just crept into usage through osmosis...
Jon, I tried to do a bit of research on the derivation of the term and came across a similar thread on Samba. Several correspondents refer to it first appearing in the UK, although some thought it first appeared in the 1960s. I doubt that - I have a collection of Safer Motoring / VW Motoring magaizines going back to the '60s and there's no mention of zwitter in those. Anyway the link I found is http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/archive/index.php/o-t--t-45555--.html Of course if someone else can find evidence it appeared first in the USA, that would be great.
Meanwhile I'll put the T25/T3 in the same basket as the T3/Type 3. Quite right, 'T' stands for Transporter. The '79 to '92 Transporter was the T3 (third generation). For some reason the Brits call it the 'T25' - they actually mean TYPE 25, and that only refers to the van anyway. The Pickups are not Type 25s.
Sure, 'Thing' is a proper term, it's the name the Type 181 was officially sold under in the US market. The equivalent UK market name is the Trekker. It was never sold here, so take your pick. I'm sure most people jsut call 'em 181s, even though technically only the LHD models were Type 181. The RHD ones were Type 182.
I suppose we should refer to Beetles sold on the German market as Kafers - although they weren't officially sold under that name until late in the model life. In Australia the Beetle was sold as the 'Volkswagen 1200', 'Volkswagen 1300' and 'Volkswagen 1500'. Only the 1976 1600 model was officially sold as the 'Beetle'.
True Smiley, yes they were never sold here and the term wasn't even used until the 1990s. The term has just crept into usage through osmosis...
Jon, I tried to do a bit of research on the derivation of the term and came across a similar thread on Samba. Several correspondents refer to it first appearing in the UK, although some thought it first appeared in the 1960s. I doubt that - I have a collection of Safer Motoring / VW Motoring magaizines going back to the '60s and there's no mention of zwitter in those. Anyway the link I found is http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/archive/index.php/o-t--t-45555--.html Of course if someone else can find evidence it appeared first in the USA, that would be great.
Meanwhile I'll put the T25/T3 in the same basket as the T3/Type 3. Quite right, 'T' stands for Transporter. The '79 to '92 Transporter was the T3 (third generation). For some reason the Brits call it the 'T25' - they actually mean TYPE 25, and that only refers to the van anyway. The Pickups are not Type 25s.
Sure, 'Thing' is a proper term, it's the name the Type 181 was officially sold under in the US market. The equivalent UK market name is the Trekker. It was never sold here, so take your pick. I'm sure most people jsut call 'em 181s, even though technically only the LHD models were Type 181. The RHD ones were Type 182.
I suppose we should refer to Beetles sold on the German market as Kafers - although they weren't officially sold under that name until late in the model life. In Australia the Beetle was sold as the 'Volkswagen 1200', 'Volkswagen 1300' and 'Volkswagen 1500'. Only the 1976 1600 model was officially sold as the 'Beetle'.
farkengruven Seriously Crusin Dubber
167 posts · joined Jan 2006 ·
Here is the cover of a 181 brochure.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/73thing/page0001.jpg
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/73thing/page0001.jpg
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HappyDaze Superannuated
2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·
The 356 crankcase is made up of two halves - as per VW - and a third piece at the pulley end.
This bit is known universally as " The Third Piece ".🙄
This bit is known universally as " The Third Piece ".🙄
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
dubai Seriously Crusin Dubber
161 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·
So back to the original question how many are out there does anyone have any picture of ones in aus they can put up?
Thanks Guys
Thanks Guys