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Another UK hello
Twinkle - November 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 PM

Hello, I too am from the UK in West Sussex and Ive been looking at the forum and on seeing King Martys thread i decided to join too. Back in June I bought a 58 bug that started life in Australia. Poor thing had been sat for 20 years or so, so is pretty scruffy. I think she came from the same place as King Marty's. Im currently stripping the bright blue re-spray off to reveal the lovely og colour which people have suggested is Horizon Blue. The og paint has been rubbed down rather harshly in places back to the red primer and even back to bare metal. When she was re-sprayed they didnt do under the bonnet, the rear valance or any of the inside which has so much character where the sun has burnt it. Im going to keep her rat look for a year or so until i can afford to have her re-sprayed properly in her og colour, assuming i can find out for sure what that was.

Im currently trying to find out as much of her history as possible as i had no paperwork or anything with her. Theres a dealership sticker on her dash from Light Motors in Adelaide. I have found out that she was manufactured on 29th November 1958. There is a ink CKD stamp on the body in the rear wheel arch and an unusual stamp maybe a body number on the flat between the two top nuts of the front beam.

I will post some pictures as soon as i work out how to do it :)

MickH - November 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 PM

Hey...welcome to the nuthouse:rolleyes: Looking forward to some pictures!!! If you get stuck email me and I'll put them up!
subimanx@dodo.com.au

Twinkle - November 4th, 2008 at 12:24 AM

Thank you :)

This is when she arrived...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/034-1.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/037-1.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/052.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/050-1.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/047-1.jpg

When i started to take the paint off...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/055.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/031.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/034.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/010-4.jpg

The stamping between the top nuts of the front beam....if anyone can shed any light on it i would be most grateful...ive searched body numbers chassis numbers and all sorts with no luck...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-6.jpg

All the bits that were inside the car...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/035.jpg

The roof finally done...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/021-1.jpg

The original 30hp engine that ,after removing all the leaves and dead bugs and reconnecting the fuel line, turned over and started !

Andy - November 4th, 2008 at 10:23 PM

Looks like a perfect restorer!
Hope it all goes to plan. Certainly looks complete!

There should be people lurking here that would know some answers for you.
From my limited knowledge I don;t think manufacturing had begun here by then, so CKD would make sense.
A good start would be sending to the VW museum (Germany) can give you a "birth certificate"

Twinkle - November 7th, 2008 at 09:10 AM

Thanks for the welcome guys :) would be great to find out as much as i can about her.

ianvincent - December 1st, 2008 at 12:31 PM

cool to see an old bug from Australia. Hopefully you will rebuild it to its former glory