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Found.........195? T1 Beetle.......
kombiluva - December 10th, 2003 at 05:12 PM

G'day Everyone,

I can't hold myself back....I have to tell someone other then my wife!

Today my wife and I went and had a look at a beetle. The owner said it was an early one........

So last night prior to having a look at this EARLY beetle I asked elswhere here on the forum for som chassis numbers for beetles made prior to 1954. http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=16519 

The beetle I have found is a 1953 model. The body was made in June/July and the rolling Chassis was made in Dec 53.

Due to the fact that I am still in negotations with the owner and my wife in ref to the purchase I am a little hesident to give anymore away, other then it is RUST free, on a exellent rolling Chassis with a great motor and gearbox.

It looks like it will be my XMAS present......Santa has come early......HO HO HO!


Regards

Mick H

PS I am after some parts:
http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=16561 

555bug - December 10th, 2003 at 06:11 PM

congradulations :) its a lot like finding a pot of gold at th end of a rainbow. Get some pictures up :bounce

vw54 - December 10th, 2003 at 06:59 PM

So whats the Chassis number and Engine number lets see if your correct ???

I hope it is a 53 as there were only 20 of them brought into Aussie for evualation and i know of 2 that still survive.

vw54 - December 10th, 2003 at 07:00 PM

Forgot to say does it have the alloy push button for the starter on the R/H side of the dash ???

VWCOOL - December 10th, 2003 at 07:13 PM

wow what a find!:bounce

Bizarre - December 10th, 2003 at 07:14 PM

:bounce:bounce:bounce

kombiluva - December 10th, 2003 at 08:51 PM

G'day Dave,

Off the top of my head the Body number was 1-501 168; The dash has been butchered and cut (See VDO gauge cut outs and original speedo hole filled)so the push button starter is not there.

Some things I did notice:
1. No steering dampener on the front end.
2. The bonnet had the sharp back edge where the top skin meets the under skin that is closest to the cabin when the bonnet is fitted.
3. Both the doors are as per the 54 design. (Raised area where the door trims go-not like a 55> on doors)
4. Engine is a 36hp with the ribbed backing plate for the generator- that is bolted to the fan shroud.
5. No cut outs on the rear apron.

Due to the fact that the shed was a little bit of a mess, I was unable to see the steering wheel, heart shape tail lights and the like.

Will post some pictures ASAP and keep you all informed.

Regards
Mick H

555bug - December 10th, 2003 at 10:26 PM

wow only 20 53's !! I had no idea. A guy I know had one sitting in his shed for a long time, he ended up cutting it up and making a drag car :( oh well I guess it still lives on.

type82e - December 11th, 2003 at 06:23 AM

a friend of mine has a 52 so he said its the first of the ovals how many were brought in of these dave?
marcel

Unity-28 - December 11th, 2003 at 08:33 AM

52 first of the oval? Late 52-early 53 were the Zwitter Split windows.

Good stuff on the find...

N!

vw54 - December 11th, 2003 at 09:02 AM

Quote:

a friend of mine has a 52 so he said its the first of the ovals



change over from split window to Oval window was around March 1953.

There were some Oval dash split windows which were late 52 n early 53 as per Zwitter Split windows

All of the VWs in Aussie prior to the first 20 imported by Regent Motors in Brisbane are private imports by either German Imigrants in the early days or by people importing an early split for private use.

From the count i think theres been about 20 to 30 of the private later imports over the years.

vw54 - December 11th, 2003 at 09:07 AM

kombiluva

Other areas to check when you can get a good look at the car is

the fluid reserviour for the master cylinder is located directly ontop of the Master cyliner.

the heater outlet vents are round in shape and dont have any wire mesh covering them

Is there a 0 after the 1- in the chassis number ???

My mates 53 is chassis # 1-0573700

the engine lid should have a large diameter retaining spring the coil is about 3 to 4 inches in dia.

the bonnet back strengthing rib should only go accross the back of the bonnet and not project down the side to where the hinges attach.

kombiluva - December 11th, 2003 at 11:47 PM

G'day Dave,

As I am to pick it up next week, I will go over it and give you the good (or bad) oil on the "ol girl". Thank you for the pointers and for what to look for. Hope to post some pictures as well for general info!

Once again Thanks.

Regards
Mick H

vw54 - December 12th, 2003 at 06:26 AM

Is the car a dark metallic blue colour....

If so it used to go down to Valla a few years ago.

baybuscamperkid - December 14th, 2003 at 07:53 PM

wow! lucky find! cant wait to see some pictures:D

byronbus - December 14th, 2003 at 07:55 PM

Looking forward to finding out what it is...:thumb

PHAT BUG - December 14th, 2003 at 08:40 PM

We must have a '53 too, It has the push button starter and the brake res is steel and located straight above the master cylinder, its a shame that at some stage it has been T-boned really bad, I think this is a dark blue colour.

kombiluva - December 16th, 2003 at 08:35 PM

G'day Phat Bug,

So you have a 53 as well! Cool.......sad to hear about the t-bone...are you going to restore it? Would like to know as my bug is in need of some parts and if yours is for sale or you are going to part it out, PLEASE drop me a line as i am in the process of doing a full resto.


Cheers
Mick

vw54 - December 17th, 2003 at 05:29 AM

Mick

Did you get the car yet... have you had a good look at it ??? is it the dark metalic blue one ???

kombiluva - December 17th, 2003 at 06:30 PM

Dave,

No have not picked it up yet, looks like early next week.
have been to busy getting some parts together! (Do you know of anyone wanting to donate/sell a Golde sunroof?)

Will post photo's when I get it.

Cheers
Mick