Reset Password · International Vintage Volkswagen Forums

Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 12:42:09
I have a couple of questions regarding my Zwitter - several people on here are previous owners of my car so know him well but feel free to offer opinions... 1. My car has smooth semaphores - 1959 semaphores to be precise. To be correct to his age (January 1953), he should have ribbed or grooved semaphores. However, he was restored in 1990ish with these semaphores and has therefore had them for almost 20 years, and probably a while prior to that. They work very well. So... would you leave them as they are on the basis that they have been there a long time and are now part of his history, or would you change them (if you can find/afford correct ones!) on the basis that he should have what he rolled off the production line with? 2. He was imported into the UK in 1969 and has a sixties reg number. Are his current reg plates the correct style? They are a little shabby so I was going to replace them but want to check that I get the right thing. Any suggestions of online stores would be appreciated. Here he is: [IMG]https://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/Priciviu/car-1.jpg[/IMG] Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 12:42:09

I have a couple of questions regarding my Zwitter - several people on here are previous owners of my car so know him well but feel free to offer opinions... 1. My car has smooth semaphores - 1959 semaphores to be precise. To be correct to his age (January 1953), he should have ribbed or grooved semaphores. However, he was restored in 1990ish with these semaphores and has therefore had them for almost 20 years, and probably a while prior to that. They work very well. So... would you leave them as they are on the basis that they have been there a long time and are now part of his history, or would you change them (if you can find/afford correct ones!) on the basis that he should have what he rolled off the production line with? 2. He was imported into the UK in 1969 and has a sixties reg number. Are his current reg plates the correct style? They are a little shabby so I was going to replace them but want to check that I get the right thing. Any suggestions of online stores would be appreciated. Here he is: [IMG]https://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/Priciviu/car-1.jpg[/IMG] Thanks in advance!

Posted by: VW Stan - 24 November 2009 14:59:36
Unless you're after concours points, I would leave the semaphores as they are, but keep an eye open for a bargain pair should they ever pop up! I've bought this style for my '58 but I reckon the style you have are fine... [img]https://pl8s.co.uk/images/35raissilverbevel.jpg[/img] [url=https://pl8s.co.uk/]https://pl8s.co.uk/[/url] [url=https://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/]https://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/[/url] Malc

Posted by: VW Stan - 24 November 2009 14:59:36

Unless you're after concours points, I would leave the semaphores as they are, but keep an eye open for a bargain pair should they ever pop up! I've bought this style for my '58 but I reckon the style you have are fine... [img]https://pl8s.co.uk/images/35raissilverbevel.jpg[/img] [url=https://pl8s.co.uk/]https://pl8s.co.uk/[/url] [url=https://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/]https://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/[/url] Malc

Posted by: mrsherbie - 24 November 2009 15:06:09
Personally I think it looks super fab as it is :beer: plates look perfectly fine to me and I would let the ones fitted now age naturally, the only plates I would love and am considering myself for my oval over the standard black pressed or standard raised letters would be the hand polished raised letter plates that are hideously expensive, but they are slightly overkill on a beetle really but if you want to throw a bit of money at the car and dont need anything else! :lol: We have kept the og very tatty but nice flat pressed plate on the rear of our 356 even though it is rough, and just had a new front made up in the type you have already. [img]https://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr94/skippy53/plate.jpg[/img] Owens 50 beetle has later smooth semaphores as it does'nt bother him one bit as he prefers them to work well. Also the car was missing one grooved anyway and they are like hens teeth to find in good condition these days! Ditto the black 50 in my avatar has old black smooth ones too although the rest of the car is pretty correct. I agree it can be seen as a period update as it was so often done. I do love to see other peoples splits with proper grooved ones though, but equally I would'nt lose sleep over not having them as I think it is one of those acceptable things nowadays :d

Posted by: mrsherbie - 24 November 2009 15:06:09

Personally I think it looks super fab as it is :beer: plates look perfectly fine to me and I would let the ones fitted now age naturally, the only plates I would love and am considering myself for my oval over the standard black pressed or standard raised letters would be the hand polished raised letter plates that are hideously expensive, but they are slightly overkill on a beetle really but if you want to throw a bit of money at the car and dont need anything else! :lol: We have kept the og very tatty but nice flat pressed plate on the rear of our 356 even though it is rough, and just had a new front made up in the type you have already. [img]https://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr94/skippy53/plate.jpg[/img] Owens 50 beetle has later smooth semaphores as it does'nt bother him one bit as he prefers them to work well. Also the car was missing one grooved anyway and they are like hens teeth to find in good condition these days! Ditto the black 50 in my avatar has old black smooth ones too although the rest of the car is pretty correct. I agree it can be seen as a period update as it was so often done. I do love to see other peoples splits with proper grooved ones though, but equally I would'nt lose sleep over not having them as I think it is one of those acceptable things nowadays :d

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 16:02:55
Thanks, Malc and Mrs Herbie - truth be told, I prefer the smooth semaphores so I have been waivering on the side of leaving them be. Thanks for agreeing! No chance of finding us anywhere near a concourse, that's for sure. I shall keep half an eye out in case some grooved/ribbed ones come free with my next McDonalds Happy Meal. :wink: As for his reg plate, thanks again. I like the ones he has so I will go for the same style. :d

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 16:02:55

Thanks, Malc and Mrs Herbie - truth be told, I prefer the smooth semaphores so I have been waivering on the side of leaving them be. Thanks for agreeing! No chance of finding us anywhere near a concourse, that's for sure. I shall keep half an eye out in case some grooved/ribbed ones come free with my next McDonalds Happy Meal. :wink: As for his reg plate, thanks again. I like the ones he has so I will go for the same style. :d

Posted by: Standard split - 24 November 2009 18:20:08
Why can't grooved semaphores work as well as smooth – they rocket out on my '51 Standard:o Find the grooved if you can, fit them and fit flashing signals on brackets under the bumpers for safety with a left hooker. You don't want to keep hammering those very expensive grooved semaphores every time you drive or end up with a Routemaster bus nosing into the passenger side:shock: 1969 registration would have an F or G year letter at the end of the registration. You have a standard DVLA age-related (pre 1963) registration:wink: Nice car, a Zwitter like my Rattletrap - is the interior original:?:

Posted by: Standard split - 24 November 2009 18:20:08

Why can't grooved semaphores work as well as smooth – they rocket out on my '51 Standard:o Find the grooved if you can, fit them and fit flashing signals on brackets under the bumpers for safety with a left hooker. You don't want to keep hammering those very expensive grooved semaphores every time you drive or end up with a Routemaster bus nosing into the passenger side:shock: 1969 registration would have an F or G year letter at the end of the registration. You have a standard DVLA age-related (pre 1963) registration:wink: Nice car, a Zwitter like my Rattletrap - is the interior original:?:

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 18:48:05
[quote=Standard split]Why can't grooved semaphores work as well as smooth – they rocket out on my '51 Standard:o Find the grooved if you can, fit them and fit flashing signals on brackets under the bumpers for safety with a left hooker. You don't want to keep hammering those very expensive grooved semaphores every time you drive or end up with a Routemaster bus nosing into the passenger side:shock: [/quote] Well, I guess I'll look out for some and go from there. I will fit some bike indicators when I get a second. Thanks. [quote=Standard split] Nice car, a Zwitter like my Rattletrap - is the interior original:?: [/quote] Afraid not. If you fancy rifling through your Volksworld Library, he's December 1992's cover car. :wink:

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 18:48:05

[quote=Standard split]Why can't grooved semaphores work as well as smooth – they rocket out on my '51 Standard:o Find the grooved if you can, fit them and fit flashing signals on brackets under the bumpers for safety with a left hooker. You don't want to keep hammering those very expensive grooved semaphores every time you drive or end up with a Routemaster bus nosing into the passenger side:shock: [/quote] Well, I guess I'll look out for some and go from there. I will fit some bike indicators when I get a second. Thanks. [quote=Standard split] Nice car, a Zwitter like my Rattletrap - is the interior original:?: [/quote] Afraid not. If you fancy rifling through your Volksworld Library, he's December 1992's cover car. :wink:

Posted by: Etzhold1 - 24 November 2009 21:34:46
[quote=mrsherbie] Owens 50 beetle has later smooth semaphores as it does'nt bother him one bit as he prefers them to work well. Also the car was missing one grooved anyway and they are like [b]hens teeth[/b] to find in good condition these days! Ditto the black 50 in my avatar has old black smooth ones too although the rest of the car is pretty correct. I agree it can be seen as a period update as it was so often done. I do love to see other peoples splits with proper grooved ones though, but equally I would'nt lose sleep over not having them as I think it is one of those acceptable things nowadays :d [/quote] [b]Hens teeth[/b] :lol: Are they realy that rare !!! How rare are the semaphores in picture # 2 ??:shock: Guido:wink: [ATTACH]3724[/Attach] [ATTACH]3725[/Attach]

Posted by: Etzhold1 - 24 November 2009 21:34:46

[quote=mrsherbie] Owens 50 beetle has later smooth semaphores as it does'nt bother him one bit as he prefers them to work well. Also the car was missing one grooved anyway and they are like [b]hens teeth[/b] to find in good condition these days! Ditto the black 50 in my avatar has old black smooth ones too although the rest of the car is pretty correct. I agree it can be seen as a period update as it was so often done. I do love to see other peoples splits with proper grooved ones though, but equally I would'nt lose sleep over not having them as I think it is one of those acceptable things nowadays :d [/quote] [b]Hens teeth[/b] :lol: Are they realy that rare !!! How rare are the semaphores in picture # 2 ??:shock: Guido:wink: [ATTACH]3724[/Attach] [ATTACH]3725[/Attach]

Posted by: Pricivius - 24 November 2009 22:04:06
Hey! How many threads does Rattletrap get to hijack!!![-x :lol: And Guido - that's not fair. Spread the semaphore love around. I know of a good home for a pair...:d My Zwitter's interior may not be original, but it's very nice. I believe a Mr Newbury had something to do with at least some of it...

Posted by: RoRoVw - 25 November 2009 08:42:19
Yes I would also leave the semaphores as there are. They do work very well. The registration number is an age related plate that was issued at the time this became possible and so the actual plates themselves only date from the early 1990s when the restoration took place. If you want to have new plates made then you should do some research to check what options were available and legal in early 1953 and then order some of those. When the car was first registered in the UK it had a 'G' suffix registration mark and I think you'll find reference to that number somewhere in the paperwork with the car. The interior was re-covered in an incorrect fabric by Bernard Newbury, but is extremely well done and actually suits the car very well. He also replaced the headling and its a magnificent job. I do have 7 metres of the correct upholstery fabric for this car (from Himmelservice in Hamburg) if you wanted to recover the seats and door cards. If you're interested in purchasing it then let me know (or anyone else for that matter). Cheers, (One of the many previous owners!)

Posted by: RoRoVw - 25 November 2009 08:42:19

Yes I would also leave the semaphores as there are. They do work very well. The registration number is an age related plate that was issued at the time this became possible and so the actual plates themselves only date from the early 1990s when the restoration took place. If you want to have new plates made then you should do some research to check what options were available and legal in early 1953 and then order some of those. When the car was first registered in the UK it had a 'G' suffix registration mark and I think you'll find reference to that number somewhere in the paperwork with the car. The interior was re-covered in an incorrect fabric by Bernard Newbury, but is extremely well done and actually suits the car very well. He also replaced the headling and its a magnificent job. I do have 7 metres of the correct upholstery fabric for this car (from Himmelservice in Hamburg) if you wanted to recover the seats and door cards. If you're interested in purchasing it then let me know (or anyone else for that matter). Cheers, (One of the many previous owners!)

Posted by: Etzhold1 - 25 November 2009 09:56:17
Is it me or what ! Correct parts are not importend anymore ! But a 1953 licence plate is importend !:roll: That car is doing something with the owners and ex owners brains !:? Guido:wink:

Posted by: Pricivius - 25 November 2009 10:19:55
Thanks RoRoVw - I was hoping you would pop up as you know him so well! The headlining is really good and I do love the interior. I had forgotten about his G registration number - it is on some of the paperwork. Guido - I don't quite understand what you are saying. In an ideal world, my car would be 100% as he was when he rolled off the production line. However, at some point in his long history, he gained a pair of smooth semaphores and his interior was replaced. Some people would therefore argue that his "new" parts are part of his history - it is possibly the case that he has had the smooth semaphores for longer than he had his original ones! So it's a matter of opinion whether I should look out for original parts or whether his history is more important - so I asked for people's opinions. I'm guessing your opinion is that he should be put back to original? Would that include removing the Bernard Newbury upholstery and making up new upholstery with the original fabric? Thanks again everyone for your help - we can't all be megastars like Rattletrap!

Posted by: Pricivius - 25 November 2009 10:19:55

Thanks RoRoVw - I was hoping you would pop up as you know him so well! The headlining is really good and I do love the interior. I had forgotten about his G registration number - it is on some of the paperwork. Guido - I don't quite understand what you are saying. In an ideal world, my car would be 100% as he was when he rolled off the production line. However, at some point in his long history, he gained a pair of smooth semaphores and his interior was replaced. Some people would therefore argue that his "new" parts are part of his history - it is possibly the case that he has had the smooth semaphores for longer than he had his original ones! So it's a matter of opinion whether I should look out for original parts or whether his history is more important - so I asked for people's opinions. I'm guessing your opinion is that he should be put back to original? Would that include removing the Bernard Newbury upholstery and making up new upholstery with the original fabric? Thanks again everyone for your help - we can't all be megastars like Rattletrap!

Posted by: mrsherbie - 25 November 2009 12:12:41
[quote=Pricivius]I'm guessing your opinion is that he should be put back to original? Would that include removing the Bernard Newbury upholstery and making up new upholstery with the original fabric? [/quote] I definitely would'nt as I love a bit of BN! especially when he was doing the tartan/checkered style inserts of which I saw a coral coloured one once which was delicious! :d Also I think nowadays everyone automatically refits the og style cloth but sometimes its nice to have a quirky interior that is part of the cars provenance. I can think of a few vw's I know done before the og repro cloths became available and its very cool in an 80s way! :d

Posted by: mrsherbie - 25 November 2009 12:12:41

[quote=Pricivius]I'm guessing your opinion is that he should be put back to original? Would that include removing the Bernard Newbury upholstery and making up new upholstery with the original fabric? [/quote] I definitely would'nt as I love a bit of BN! especially when he was doing the tartan/checkered style inserts of which I saw a coral coloured one once which was delicious! :d Also I think nowadays everyone automatically refits the og style cloth but sometimes its nice to have a quirky interior that is part of the cars provenance. I can think of a few vw's I know done before the og repro cloths became available and its very cool in an 80s way! :d

Posted by: RoRoVw - 25 November 2009 14:05:21
[quote=Etzhold1]Is it me or what ! Correct parts are not importend anymore ! But a 1953 licence plate is importend !:roll: That car is doing something with the owners and ex owners brains !:? Guido:wink: [/quote] I think that I would have said that a pair of the correct semaphores should be sourced if it wasn't for the fact that they are so incredibly expensive and hard to find (at least here in the UK). It was the intention of another previous owner to replace the Bernard Newbury seat upholstery with the correct material (which I still have) but he never got around to it. I took the view that the Newbury seats were so well done and looked so great that it would be virtually criminal to rip off the coverings and throw them away - so the Newbury coverings stayed and subsequent owners seem to have been happy with that fabric. If I had kept the zwitter then my plan would have been to source another set of seats and door cards and have those covered using the correct fabric. SSU would then have had two interiors to wear. (I'll bet even Rattletrap can't boast two sets made solely for his personal use!!)

Posted by: RoRoVw - 25 November 2009 14:05:21

[quote=Etzhold1]Is it me or what ! Correct parts are not importend anymore ! But a 1953 licence plate is importend !:roll: That car is doing something with the owners and ex owners brains !:? Guido:wink: [/quote] I think that I would have said that a pair of the correct semaphores should be sourced if it wasn't for the fact that they are so incredibly expensive and hard to find (at least here in the UK). It was the intention of another previous owner to replace the Bernard Newbury seat upholstery with the correct material (which I still have) but he never got around to it. I took the view that the Newbury seats were so well done and looked so great that it would be virtually criminal to rip off the coverings and throw them away - so the Newbury coverings stayed and subsequent owners seem to have been happy with that fabric. If I had kept the zwitter then my plan would have been to source another set of seats and door cards and have those covered using the correct fabric. SSU would then have had two interiors to wear. (I'll bet even Rattletrap can't boast two sets made solely for his personal use!!)

Posted by: pre67vw - 25 November 2009 21:39:14
OK, I've cleaned this thread up of all the posts that weren't relevant to this topic. Can everyone please try not to hijack threads. Thanks :beer:

Posted by: Pricivius - 26 November 2009 17:29:08
I have been looking around for a photo of his interior but I haven't got any to hand... so this one is the best I can do for now. And yes, I know one of his windscreen wipers is missing - it's back now. :wink: [IMG]https://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/Priciviu/DSCN0538.jpg[/IMG] EDIT - found another one! [IMG]https://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/Priciviu/8122_147074911477_591731477_3238430.jpg[/IMG]

Posted by: Pricivius - 26 November 2009 17:29:08

I have been looking around for a photo of his interior but I haven't got any to hand... so this one is the best I can do for now. And yes, I know one of his windscreen wipers is missing - it's back now. :wink: [IMG]https://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/Priciviu/DSCN0538.jpg[/IMG] EDIT - found another one! [IMG]https://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/Priciviu/8122_147074911477_591731477_3238430.jpg[/IMG]

Posted by: GKL 7 - 26 November 2009 18:18:56
I used to own that car:d

Posted by: Standard split - 26 November 2009 18:50:15
[quote='50 Karmann]I used to own that car:d [/quote] You should have hung on to it – very nice:wink:

Posted by: GKL 7 - 26 November 2009 19:14:21
[quote=Standard split] You should have hung on to it – very nice:wink: [/quote] Yes,i'll never understand why a later owner ripped the original interior out:x It was better than 75% of other cars of a similar age.

Posted by: dry&heavy - 26 November 2009 23:23:04
quick question Pricivius about the photo of your dash is that a grab handle ? just looked strange as my rust bucket december 1952 zwitter never had one fitted, or was that drilled at a later point

Posted by: Pricivius - 26 November 2009 23:44:19
[quote=dry&heavy]quick question Pricivius about the photo of your dash is that a grab handle ? just looked strange as my rust bucket december 1952 zwitter never had one fitted, or was that drilled at a later point[/quote] He does indeed have a grab handle but I am afraid I have no idea whether it is original or a later fit - I know I didn't do it! There are at least two of his previous owners on here so maybe they can help? Or anyone else? He's a late January '53 if that helps anyone...

Posted by: Pricivius - 26 November 2009 23:44:19

[quote=dry&heavy]quick question Pricivius about the photo of your dash is that a grab handle ? just looked strange as my rust bucket december 1952 zwitter never had one fitted, or was that drilled at a later point[/quote] He does indeed have a grab handle but I am afraid I have no idea whether it is original or a later fit - I know I didn't do it! There are at least two of his previous owners on here so maybe they can help? Or anyone else? He's a late January '53 if that helps anyone...

Posted by: RoRoVw - 27 November 2009 08:26:14
[quote=Pricivius] He does indeed have a grab handle but I am afraid I have no idea whether it is original or a later fit - I know I didn't do it! There are at least two of his previous owners on here so maybe they can help? Or anyone else? He's a late January '53 if that helps anyone...[/quote] That's an interesting question. The grab handle was commented on in the December 1992 Volsworld feature on the car where it was said not to be a standard feature for the year but a dealer supplied extra. That seems unliklely as I don't think that grab handles were introduced until August 1960, although they were available earlier on cabrios. Whatever the true story - the handle has certainly been with the car for many years.

Posted by: RoRoVw - 27 November 2009 08:26:14

[quote=Pricivius] He does indeed have a grab handle but I am afraid I have no idea whether it is original or a later fit - I know I didn't do it! There are at least two of his previous owners on here so maybe they can help? Or anyone else? He's a late January '53 if that helps anyone...[/quote] That's an interesting question. The grab handle was commented on in the December 1992 Volsworld feature on the car where it was said not to be a standard feature for the year but a dealer supplied extra. That seems unliklely as I don't think that grab handles were introduced until August 1960, although they were available earlier on cabrios. Whatever the true story - the handle has certainly been with the car for many years.

Posted by: GKL 7 - 27 November 2009 16:46:04
The handle was there in the '70's. And so was a lot more, that has gone missing.:cry: BTW what was written in Volksworld is a long way from the correct story of the car.Writers licence??????They didn't even get it right as to where the car was found.

Posted by: Pricivius - 27 November 2009 16:53:07
[quote='50 Karmann]The handle was there in the '70's. And so was a lot more, that has gone missing.:cry: BTW what was written in Volksworld is a long way from the correct story of the car.Writers licence??????They didn't even get it right as to where the car was found. [/quote] Are you suggesting my Zwitter is more intriguing and mysterious than the car who shall not be named? :wink: What else did he have, '50 Karmann?

Posted by: Pricivius - 27 November 2009 16:53:07

[quote='50 Karmann]The handle was there in the '70's. And so was a lot more, that has gone missing.:cry: BTW what was written in Volksworld is a long way from the correct story of the car.Writers licence??????They didn't even get it right as to where the car was found. [/quote] Are you suggesting my Zwitter is more intriguing and mysterious than the car who shall not be named? :wink: What else did he have, '50 Karmann?

Posted by: GKL 7 - 27 November 2009 17:01:51
Overhead parcel net,glovebox door clock,rally dash,all original wings,original rear valance,original running boards and mats etc. Don't get me wrong you have a lovely car,i just can't understand why so much was removed. One interesting point---i paid £600 for the car and had to sell it, as i was moving house,i thought i'd done really well when i sold it for a £1000. The good old days:lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted by: GKL 7 - 27 November 2009 17:01:51

Overhead parcel net,glovebox door clock,rally dash,all original wings,original rear valance,original running boards and mats etc. Don't get me wrong you have a lovely car,i just can't understand why so much was removed. One interesting point---i paid £600 for the car and had to sell it, as i was moving house,i thought i'd done really well when i sold it for a £1000. The good old days:lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted by: Pricivius - 27 November 2009 17:12:53
That's quite a list! He has taken a knock at some point though which may explain some of the changes... And don't worry - the more I learn about him, the more I appreciate him and his history. It's really interesting to have people like you and RoRoVw around to share some of his past.

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 27 November 2009 20:43:17
I personally think that SSU is a great car. Ok, it's not 100% original, but it's in very nice, useable condition. My advice would be use it and enjoy it. If a set of semaphores come up for the right money, buy them. If not, don't worry. Can you fill us in on the history a bit more George?

Posted by: RoRoVw - 28 November 2009 10:40:52
[quote='50 Karmann]Overhead parcel net,glovebox door clock,rally dash,all original wings,original rear valance,original running boards and mats etc. Don't get me wrong you have a lovely car,i just can't understand why so much was removed. One interesting point---i paid £600 for the car and had to sell it, as i was moving house,i thought i'd done really well when i sold it for a £1000. The good old days:lol: :lol: :lol: [/quote] SSU had none of those items when I owned it, nor when Charles Oldroyd was the owner. I wonder when they disappeared? If I remember correctly then documents in the history file show that it once changed hands for £50 and on another occasion was swapped for a Daimler! (I think).

Posted by: RoRoVw - 28 November 2009 10:40:52

[quote='50 Karmann]Overhead parcel net,glovebox door clock,rally dash,all original wings,original rear valance,original running boards and mats etc. Don't get me wrong you have a lovely car,i just can't understand why so much was removed. One interesting point---i paid £600 for the car and had to sell it, as i was moving house,i thought i'd done really well when i sold it for a £1000. The good old days:lol: :lol: :lol: [/quote] SSU had none of those items when I owned it, nor when Charles Oldroyd was the owner. I wonder when they disappeared? If I remember correctly then documents in the history file show that it once changed hands for £50 and on another occasion was swapped for a Daimler! (I think).

Posted by: GKL 7 - 28 November 2009 11:15:07
[quote=RoRoVw] SSU had none of those items when I owned it, nor when Charles Oldroyd was the owner. I wonder when they disappeared?[/quote] I'm pretty sure it was the owner after me. The body panels went because he thought he was doing the right thing at the time,he had better looking panels,so he used them. Talking to him years later,i'm sure he realised his mistake. I purchased the car from a guy in Cherry Willingham,Lincolnshire it had stood in his garage for years(the car had never been to Wales before the previous owner to Pricivius,i didn't live here at the time,although it stated in the magazine article it was found here.)The person i sold it to had in fact been to primary school in the small village of Cherry Willingham. I remember trailering the car home as if it were yesterday. One strange thing i noticed when i saw it a few months ago,as far as i am aware the accident damage to the F/N/S quarter had not happened until after i had sold the car on. It is a great useable car,and i in fact contenplated buying it for a second time.There will be hundreds of hours of fun for the new owner and i wish him well.

Posted by: GKL 7 - 28 November 2009 11:15:07

[quote=RoRoVw] SSU had none of those items when I owned it, nor when Charles Oldroyd was the owner. I wonder when they disappeared?[/quote] I'm pretty sure it was the owner after me. The body panels went because he thought he was doing the right thing at the time,he had better looking panels,so he used them. Talking to him years later,i'm sure he realised his mistake. I purchased the car from a guy in Cherry Willingham,Lincolnshire it had stood in his garage for years(the car had never been to Wales before the previous owner to Pricivius,i didn't live here at the time,although it stated in the magazine article it was found here.)The person i sold it to had in fact been to primary school in the small village of Cherry Willingham. I remember trailering the car home as if it were yesterday. One strange thing i noticed when i saw it a few months ago,as far as i am aware the accident damage to the F/N/S quarter had not happened until after i had sold the car on. It is a great useable car,and i in fact contenplated buying it for a second time.There will be hundreds of hours of fun for the new owner and i wish him well.

Posted by: Pricivius - 28 November 2009 21:02:32
Thanks, Robert and George. What an interesting and varied history he has had. I fully intend to enjoy him and take him out as much as possible. We are forecast a dry day tomorrow so hopefully we will be out and about. I am keeping half an eye out for a garage-mate for him, so if anyone has any suggestions...:wink:

Posted by: 69project - 29 November 2009 17:31:21
For all the bitchiness that forums attract,isnt it nice to have a thread where so much great information is shared for a present owner to enjoy 8)

Posted by: Standard split - 01 December 2009 20:06:44
[quote=Pricivius] Are you suggesting my Zwitter is more intriguing and mysterious than the car who shall not be named? :wink: [/quote] Nothing can be more intiguing or mysterious than the certain unmentionable motorcar8)

Posted by: Standard split - 07 December 2009 14:20:04
[quote=69project]For all the bitchiness that forums attract,isnt it nice to have a thread where so much great information is shared for a present owner to enjoy 8) [/quote] This forum [b]NEVER[/b] attracts any such postings:roll: However, please share any further info or images you may have on Rattletrap for his present owner to enjoy (see signature below) – but [b]post only in Rattletrap's thread[/b] otherwise Rob will not be too pleased and Rattletrap and his present carer may well get the push:shock:

Posted by: Standard split - 07 December 2009 14:20:04

[quote=69project]For all the bitchiness that forums attract,isnt it nice to have a thread where so much great information is shared for a present owner to enjoy 8) [/quote] This forum [b]NEVER[/b] attracts any such postings:roll: However, please share any further info or images you may have on Rattletrap for his present owner to enjoy (see signature below) – but [b]post only in Rattletrap's thread[/b] otherwise Rob will not be too pleased and Rattletrap and his present carer may well get the push:shock:

Posted by: Johnsahib - 23 April 2019 10:12:12
Having just bought a Pastel Green 1953 VW Beetle Zwitter registration number SSU 687 or previously VMU 76 G and before that German Zollenzeichen number 660-Z-6580, I was very interested to read all about the car and some of the items that have gone missing or been sold off by some of the previous twelve owners since 1988. The one that does remain, however, is the Grab Handle which appears to have caused some interest, in Bob Wilson's Book "The 1949-1959 VW Beetle", it states, [b]" [/b][b]Grab Handle[/b] An option until 1961 on the sedan, the passenger grab handle was found on some 1950's Beetles. This handle was mounted at the top of the dash in front of the front seat passenger. The early handles were made of aluminium with rubber fronts and chrome end pieces. In May 1954 the grab handle came as standard equipment on the convertible." [br] There is also some indication from a Swedish site that ribbed semaphores were phased out in January 1953. It is my intention to add some of the missing parts as time goes on but I'm specifically looking for the VIN Plate that should be behind the spare wheel, if anyone has it tucked away somewhere I would appreciate a call through this means. [br]

Posted by: Johnsahib - 23 April 2019 10:12:12

Having just bought a Pastel Green 1953 VW Beetle Zwitter registration number SSU 687 or previously VMU 76 G and before that German Zollenzeichen number 660-Z-6580, I was very interested to read all about the car and some of the items that have gone missing or been sold off by some of the previous twelve owners since 1988. The one that does remain, however, is the Grab Handle which appears to have caused some interest, in Bob Wilson's Book "The 1949-1959 VW Beetle", it states, [b]" [/b][b]Grab Handle[/b] An option until 1961 on the sedan, the passenger grab handle was found on some 1950's Beetles. This handle was mounted at the top of the dash in front of the front seat passenger. The early handles were made of aluminium with rubber fronts and chrome end pieces. In May 1954 the grab handle came as standard equipment on the convertible." [br] There is also some indication from a Swedish site that ribbed semaphores were phased out in January 1953. It is my intention to add some of the missing parts as time goes on but I'm specifically looking for the VIN Plate that should be behind the spare wheel, if anyone has it tucked away somewhere I would appreciate a call through this means. [br]

International Vintage Volkswagen Forums

Important Information: