hey guys
i have a few questions about my newly acquired 55 kombi:
what engine would it originally have obviously a 36hp but would it of been crank start it has the slot in the rear valance for the handle. does anyone have opne of these engines for sale??
did these models have rear seats in thye cargo area as there is plates for the seats toi sit on but no mounting spots???
where safari's an option or standard on 55 models??
is the rear end different to that of a 62 model say?
thanks for all your help
cheers
rhys

another one:
as some people might of seen the cab divider is chopped in parts.i can get one from a 62 splitty but will it be the same or are the patterns different??
cheers
rhys

Rhys

55s didnt come standard with safari,s - available as an option.
Rear is same as 62 but with a center brake light in the engine lid, these were from first of non barndoor 55 till 57 or 58 depending on the run out of the model some 58s in England still had the center brake light.
Tail lights should be small round one filement, which was just a driving light.
They didnt come with indicators as they had semaphores.

Centre cab divider should be the same up to about 64 I think but not sure on that one.

The engine was the same 36hp and the crank nut just fits on the bottom pulley, all you would be after would be the nut.

All models came with the seat mounting plates I think, but only micros and deluxes had the seats fitted..

Hope this helps.
Cheers
Dave

ok kool thanks dude!!!
know its time to get onto the rust work!!!
cheers
rhys

Rear end is a bit different. Yours has a splitcase transmission which has a different front (front is front) mount - a 'doughnut' mount. Busses went to tunnel case trannies in 59 - front mounts are then the same 59 thru 67.

Seats and stuff depends on what the vehicle was - kombi or microbus. kombi had the option of black seats but no interior panels. Microbus had seats and interior panelling etc etc

later gators

RobK

you wouldn't happen to have that sort of g'box lying around rob???
well this splitty has safaris and front kick panel and door panels ???????
cheers
rhys

Yes it came with a split case gear box Rhys. Very hard to find if you want to restore it back to origional.

I've attached a photo from page 8 of the March 1955 (glovebox) Instruction Manual for VW Transporter which shows the slot in the rear valance for the handle. A starting handle is listed as one of the tools on the inside back cover, but there are no further references to crank starting, guess everyone knew how to do it then.

thanks kombi69 u dont want to sell that handbook do u???
so whats the differance between the splitcases and the later gearbox's??
cheers
rhys

Cab divider panel is different than the later ones, earlier have less of the indentation than the later ones plus the concave pressing in the bottom of the panel is shorter than the later ones.
I'll try to put pics up the show the difference. A later one would prolly fit but would not nessesarliy look right.
this is a 63 one http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=17333 

Whats a Safari?

Rhys,
the split case gearbox has a 'crash' first gear
(no synchro ).

I've just been thru the drama of finding a 36 horse 1200 and they are a bit rare: you may need to pick up a few to be able to put a good one together...I came across a few split boxes tho'.

how much do you want to keep it stock standard?

GN

hey
i want to keep it relatively stock as in i want it to cruise in and just have it on vintage rego
i dont want to use a 1600 engine
it sounds like its gonna be a hassel to keep it really original if i cant find a pre 56 wrecker!!!
what do these gearbox's go for?
cheers
rhys

CRANK!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/index.mv?photo+131279.jpg 

good to see your getting stuck into it.

i got given a handle how good is that and nathen has a cranknut for me!!! know to find an engine and a gearbox,a rear end complete
cheers
rhys

i dont have anything i will get pics of the rear end morrow to show all what has been done!!
cheers
rhys