51 split Beetle

[fig]

I dropped by the Vintage & Veteran Club meeting yesterday and spotted this beautifully restored 51 Beetle:

[vw59beetle]

Looks really good . Which horn button is that?

[fig]

It's known as ... wait for it ... a sun and moon horn button. Apparently very desireable; it was one of a range of horn buttons for the Petri "Banjo" wheel.

[retrovan]

Wished so hard, that I got a megrian...........

Still THAT Beetle did not appear in my garage, dam.......

Fig, won"t you ask that guy if he needs a parking garage, for that Bug......

Got a nice clean one ready for it...........

[jolas]

Stunning - tks for the photos

[MINCE]

My favourite horn button for those wheels is the St. Christopher. Always loved the sun and moon one too.

[Muderick]

I just love the Streifen Braun interior!!

Looks like a brand new interior, right up into the cubby holes... did it have the bolster cushions on the back seat as well Fig? Fig, would this be a late 51 (read: early 52) beacause of the super cool crtoch coolers?

Very very nice!

Muds

[Dawie]

Think the crotch coolers were "one year only" for the 51 production year.
By 52 they were gone again.

[fig]

I just love the Streifen Braun interior!!

Looks like a brand new interior, right up into the cubby holes... did it have the bolster cushions on the back seat as well Fig? Fig, would this be a late 51 (read: early 52) beacause of the super cool crtoch coolers?

Yes, it had the bolsters in the back. Also a very cool radio/clock obscured by the steering wheel.

I don't remember when crotch coolers were fitted, but I think it was 1950/51. Since this one is RHD, I'm assuming it was assembled at Uitenhage, which means it was built after August 31 1951.

[PCee]

That is one sexy ride!!! Thanks for the pic's.......eishhh I'm green

[fig]

I just love the Streifen Braun interior!!

Looks like a brand new interior, right up into the cubby holes... did it have the bolster cushions on the back seat as well Fig? Fig, would this be a late 51 (read: early 52) beacause of the super cool crtoch coolers?

Yes, it had the bolsters in the back. Also a very cool radio/clock obscured by the steering wheel.

I don't remember when crotch coolers were fitted, but I think it was 1950/51. Since this one is RHD, I'm assuming it was assembled at Uitenhage, which means it was built after August 31 1951.

I went back to my literature to clarify my mind about this. It appears the crotch coolers first appeared in the quarter panels in January 1951, although there is a conflicting referfence to April 51. In mid-August 51 the cooling flaps got a mesh screen and an actuating lever. SA assembly of Beetles started on 31/8/51 (the kits for these cars were probably built in Wolfsburg in early July 51).

The rear seat bolster cushions were dropped in November 51. The crotch coolers were replaced by quaterlights in the front windows in October 52, coinciding with the arrival of the "oval dash" and many other changes.

So this one could have been built in 52 Herman!

[Muderick]

Thanks for that Fig... Glad I was not too far off.

I think Its owned by a gentleman in PTA, and I have heard that he spent a shed load of moola on this car. Painting the car at Porsche SA, cost him R100k alone.... SERIOUS!!

Streifen brown interior and Himmel service carpets from Germany along with the rest of the interior, should be close to another 50K....

Matching floor pan and 25hp engine in mint condition. Loads of good detail with the correct Streifen Braun interior and Himmel Service carpets.

Also love the Lorenz pod radio, from the little that is peeking out under the super rare clock. Check the rare front screen trim as well.

The repro Petri Pealit sterring wheel surely costs an arm and leg, but knowing this gentleman, he will replace that as well with the period correct one for this car.

Amazing, amazing car!!

ACVWSA, this is just my opinion, but Im sure we are looking at our first R500 k car here...

Muds

[fig]

I agree Muds. I didn't meet the owner and I only saw the bodywork and interior, but this car has clearly had a big-bucks restoration by someone who is concerned about originality.

[GavinHuart]

What a brilliant thread! Thanks for all the history going on here chaps . That is one beautiful VW and, no doubt, worth it's weight in gold! Truly inspiring

[Muderick]

@ Fig, I wish I could have seen it up close like you did just to take in all the details...

At the risk of sounding negative, and believe me im not being negative at all, there are one or 2 things that will put this car into the top top resto leagues:

I mention this, not trying to detract anything from this super star of a car , but rather as something of a yard stick if that makes sense.

1) The already mentioned steering wheel not being original
2) The dual post antenna being incorrect. This one should have had a centre mount windscreen antenna, either by Hirschmann, Bosch or Telefunken. Will have to check on this one...
3) The body beadings should be the Grooved type... similar to the groove or hump found on the winder and door handles. These ones looks like either German or Stainless Steel ones.
4) Fig, could you tell if the wheels were the correct 16 inch ones, as I cant make out to clearly, but looks like 15 inch ones to me. A well informed friend of mine shares the same sentiments
5) the missing wipers... Im sure they are still being sourced... probably OG SWF articles...

Muds