Wanted: NOS or second hand original 3 fingered front valance for a 1959/60 beetle.
I have found a few pattern parts but would like the real thing.
Thanks for looking.
Mike
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 10 May 2010 21:22:45
[quote=DarthMJH]Wanted: NOS or second hand original 3 fingered front valance for a 1959/60 beetle.
I have found a few pattern parts but would like the real thing.
Thanks for looking.
Mike[/quote]
Mike,
I think a '60 model should have a 4-finger valance, not the later 3-finger one.
Rich.
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 10 May 2010 21:38:47
When would the three fingered valence have been used, if ever? Some say it was on the '59/'60 crossover, some say on '67 models. Both have pretty conclusive proof other wise.
Is it possiblle that Klokkernholm or whoever makes these wonderful panels has just made a combination on four and two fingers up? Easier to press, god knows. :wink:
[img]https://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/VWShowsPhotos/NFO%20566/IMG_1954.jpg?t=1273520257[/img]
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 10 May 2010 21:48:53
My thinking has always been:
>'60, when the 30 horse gave way etc.
[img]https://www.wolfparts.com/shop/images/mell%20014.jpg[/img]
'60 to '67, when the later "short" bonnnet came in
[img]https://www.buildingabeetle.com/images/front-end.jpg[/img]
Posted by: DarthMJH - 11 May 2010 00:42:45
Thanks all for the prompt response.
My Karmann Beetle was made in 1960 and was restored before I bought it and I believe the front and rear valances were replaced with later ones.
On the front I currently have the same blue front valance that 54 Gertie posted with the 2 wholes either side. I think this is possibly wrong for my car as I looked at a totally original 1960 Beetle at Stanford Hall, and it had the same as the black clip that was pictured, in the post before.
Also the rear doesn't have the 4 fingers but I have managed to source one of those at Stanford Hall.
1960 turns out to be a difficult year as it seems to be a cut over year. It's got one year only gearbox mount and from what I have read on thesamba a one year only rear valance, due to the location of the gerabox.
Trying to find the correct front valance is proving difficult.
Mike
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Posted by: Rich Oakley - 11 May 2010 09:43:03
The 3 finger version was definitely used from August 1960 for a while. Will do some digging to confirm what was used for the 60 MY.
Posted by: pre67vw - 11 May 2010 10:46:52
[quote=DarthMJH]
My Karmann Beetle was made in 1960 and was restored before I bought it and I believe the front and rear valances were replaced with later ones.
[/quote]
Beautiful cabrio! 8)
If anyone is interested [url=https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=402502]here[/url] is the link to the article concerning the 1960 only rear apron.
Not sure if the "special red dipstick" is true or not. I've never heard of it.
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 11 May 2010 23:28:23
I almost forgot that I have a nice original '60 UK Beetle in my garage!!! However, the only two panels that have ever been replaced on this car are the front and rear valances- typical!!!
I trawled back though some of my pics. In 2007 I owned a completely untouched, 100% original RHD '60 built in Dec '59. It has a 4 finger valance.
Posted by: DarthMJH - 12 May 2010 20:20:06
I've spent hours scouring the net looking at pictures of 1959, 1960 and 1961 Beetles and it looks like 1959 (Built) Beetles had 4 fingers, 1960 had 3 fingers and 1961 had 2 fingers. Maybe 3 fingers was a 1 year only valance. However I have seen a mixture, including 1960 Beetles having all 3 variations and even a 1961 having 4 fingers.
If I had a lot of hair I would be pulling it out now :?
I'm going to dig out the VW Birth Certificate I have for the car as I think it maybe a late 1960 car and this may have the 3 fingers. But VW may have just used what they had in the parts bin at the time of building the cars. I dont think I will ever know what the car came with. I need a :beer:
Mike
Posted by: stickman - 12 May 2010 21:00:39
Just checked my bug built March 1960, and it has the 3 finger front valance.
To my knowledge it is the original one:wink:
Posted by: DarthMJH - 12 May 2010 23:31:25
Thanks all for your replies. I think I will be going for the 3 fingered one.
Nows the tough job of trying to find an original /second hand one in the UK. Anyone got one for sale :d
