Author Topic: Non-oval European Standard Models (Read 2075 times)

horizontallyopposed · « **on:** December 29, 2004, 10:33:12 AM »

OK, I've got this 59 in my garage. It's a Euro model - with semaphores. It's had some stuff added onto it over the years, but it is missing trim holes on the body, and only a partial headliner (does not come down over rails above doors). Anyways. Looks like it was originally grey (Jupiter grey?) but paitned red many moons ago.

Can anyone tell me about the non-oval standards, and what did they feature? Or not feature, more correctly.

Hansk · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2004, 08:42:01 PM »

I've sort of allways known them as \"Canadian standards\" . It seems they were not available in the US like this (allthough I'm sure they were all over the rest of the world)
I've owned one as new as a 1975 , small head liner, no molding on the windows, black molding on the body, black bumpers and head light rings.
I've also owned a 73 , same thing but also swing axle trany.
I've seen them as new as 71(I think) originally equiped with a 1200cc and 4.37 swing trany. Seems after that they got 1600dp's
The early ones (all up to 67) would not even have a gas gauge .
Sounds like yours is not Canadian but probably still no window or dash or body and maybe even no running board molding, probably the 3 spoke spilt style steering wheel, small headliner.
I've allways liked these versions , hopefully someone will have some more details.

horizontallyopposed · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2004, 09:03:50 AM »

I'm just wondering if even in 59, the Euro Std models would have painted bumpers, hubcaps and doorhandles, and crazily enough if they would still have cable brakes.

Bruce · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2005, 01:03:42 PM »

In Germany they had a version called the \"Sparr-kaefer\" (sp?). Whenever you read an advertisement for a Beetle there, they would state \"starting from 1995.00\" or whatever the price was. But when you went to the dealer none of the cars were this introductory price. It was a bit of a scam to get you in. (sounds just like what a dealer here would do) But by law, they have to offer a car at the price they advertise. This was the Sparr-Kaefer. You had to special order them. I met a guy in Germany who had one of these. It was a 72 torsion bar beetle.
It had factory installed 66 and earlier 6V headlights (complete 6V electrical system) with sloping headlights, pre 67 Euro bumper blades,
no chrome trim in the window rubbers or down the side of the body.
The door panels were a simple hardboard with exposed clips to secure it.
A simple handle screwed on instead of an arm rest.
It had the small postage stamp headliner,
no sunvisor for the passenger,
painted metal dash,
no glovebox door,
no day/night function on the rearview mirror,
a simple mid 60s style 2 spoke steering wheel with only a center horn push.
I didn't check, but I bet the right door handle didn't have a lock in it.

rustybus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2005, 05:26:08 PM »

I used to have a canadian '58 standard . It had juice brakes chrome hubcaps and door handles a black 3 spoke steering wheel . The front seats were held in with clamps and wing nuts. It had no chrome on the dash,window moldings or on the dash . Oh it had chome bumpers. I hope this will help you out . I have 2 other '58s right now and they are alot different.
good luck

chris

rustybus · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2005, 09:29:27 PM »

One more thought I don't remember a chrome ring around the speedo

horizontallyopposed · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2005, 11:53:43 AM »

The Canadian Standard was a bit more \"tarted up\" than the European standard. The only 4 things I have to go on is:
- semaphores
- small headliner
- no trim holes in body
- it's a 59

Other than that, I'm drawing a blank. I read somewhere (The Samba??) that up until 62, European Standard models still had cable brakes

rustybus · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2005, 09:45:30 PM »

Hello my Horizontallyopposed friend,

Except for semaphores your '59 sounds like my '58. But looking at a book I
have called the 1949-1959 VW Beetle, authenticity series. BY Bob Wilson a
direct quote from him is, The standard sedan continued with mechanical
brakes all through the 1950's . Which means almost anything, at least now
the possibilaty that your car did have them is there. This probably won't help
but I also have a fondness for the standard model B)
cheers
chris

horizontallyopposed · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2005, 08:52:31 AM »

Thanks Chris - I haven't had a chance to confirm if the pan and body #'s match yet, because the pan is outside under 3 feet of snow :wacko:

-Keith

rustybus · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2005, 09:08:04 AM »

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

horizontallyopposed · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2005, 09:40:24 AM »

You got that right. I threw the question up on The Samba - I'll share whatever I find out. This car is in tough, tough shape, so I'm trying to determine it's rarity. Most of the standard stuff is missing, so it will be a tough resto

rustybus · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2005, 01:37:03 PM »

That would be cool. Tracking down the parts is the most fun, of any project . If you have trouble I will see if I can find it down here. Do you have lot of resourse's out that way. cause I am looking for tid bits for my 2 '58s