I was not sure where this post would best be suited so i guess i'll start here and maybe try somewhere else if it does not work out. Can someone tell me the difference between a 1958 beetle and a 1966 beetle.
Obvisoly both have big rear windows as opposed to oval.

I need a list of changes bewteen the 2 if someone can help. I have a 66 and a 58 and need to work out which parts are inter-changable to make it all work nicely...

Thanks in advance for any help. :bounce

go to
http://www.vw-resource.com/years.html 

the differences are

Engine, gearbox, brakes, steer wheel, blinkers, bonnet, engine lid, headlights, tail lights, seats front n rear, door handles, alloy trim, fuel tank, speedo, switches,

can i bolt a front end with brakes incluided into a 66 and make it all work? I need a front beam and brakes for my 66, and i have aquired a 58 for cheap cheap thats complete minus rear guards and decklid......

can i make this work or is it just equal to a bad idea?

the 58 wouldnt have a steering dampner on it would it? apart from that they should be interchangable. brakes are differnt but have same stud pattern u just wont stop quite as fast.

Nick

The floor pan on the 1966 is excellent but slight damage to the front bulk head which is repairable, the floor pan on the 58 is good structually but some floor sheet metal is a little rusty and would require replacement which i can use bits out of the 66 pan....

whats gunna be a better result, turning my 1966 into a good car or using the 1958 floor pan and using my body with all 1958 bolt ons?

I'm in a position where i have 2 cars to make one good one, but dont know whether to fix the 58 or the 66?

both have there own good and bad points. would much rather a 58 thou??

any advise or opinions welcomed. nn[ Edited on 20-7-2005 by BLUE_62 ]

Don't destroy a 58! :cry They're great cars. My mum used to have a 58 deluxe with all the trimmings. Does yours still have the semaphores?

If I weren't a pauper I'd offer to buy it from you to fund the parts you need. Ah well.

Also license plate light is different.

Is it early 58 or late ? I'm not sure what year they stopped putting the oval style pull out door handles in (my 57 big window had them), and I had a funny feeling the windscreen was smaller up to about 60 or 61 ?

58 should have semaphores too (oops already mentioned).

I'd pick the 58, but I'm a sucker for old cars !

I think the windscreen was smaller, if I remember correctly.

Another bonus of the 58 is this. It may not be very powerful, and can't go too fast, but there's something about the really old ones that makes driving slow feel really good.

Yeah, has the grab handles and the ol girl still has the semiphores, however removed, they are still present and in a box, its actually factory black beleave it or not, but is unfortunatly riddled with rust and would be a mamoth job to overhaul. I'll be picking it up in a few weeks. Will bring it home and see what has to be done.....

i am also a sucker for an older car and love the idea of it being a 58 over a 66, just my 66 body is in far better conidition. Something keeps draging me back to it thou, suggesting spend the extra time and mpney and do it properly.... AGHHH! When i pick it up i will post some photos and see what you all think. As its all being done in my old mans shed, he has given me 24 hours to get it, work out what i am doing and get rid of bits i dont need.
Hence, having both a 58 and a 66, he does not want 2 bodys, 2 floor pans, etc etc.

how difficult is it to repair rust these days? Do you need to be a pro panel beater or can someone good on a mig do the job?

oh, the downer on the 58 is its missing its rear guards, having replacements on it, and the deck lid has been replaced by a later model!

Buy your old man a bottle of scotch and ask him for more time! Find out as much as you can from the experts as some older parts in good nick are worth $.
Don't rush in and then regret later. Take your time if poss.
Regards,
Toby

I'm not entirely sure on the situation for the 58s but there are a lot of rust repair sections available which are pretty easy to fit. A lot of small sections and sections ehich people won't see are easy to fabricate too. Just don't skimp on the metal thickness.

Tell us where the main rust problems are too. Photos will be excellent as well. Thanks I think we're all dying to see this.

I have a question about the factory black. Is it a gloss or a sort of a satin finish?

You still have the semaphores. excellent. Excellent indeed.