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Old School
11 years ago

Hi Old School

There are one or two others posting here that have knowledge of Tony right back to 'early '60s. I'm trying to amass as much information on Rattletrap as I can, and I am sure there are pics and articles that I don't have.

Do you have anything from then, even just a newspaper cutting would be good.:beer:

Rattletrap wrote:


Nothing I'm afraid. I do know that he left service in 1953 and had the car to keep.
Rattletrap
11 years ago

Nothing I'm afraid. I do know that he left service in 1953 and had the car to keep.

Old School wrote:


Thanks for that. What I a really need is information relating to Tony and his car from before 1953. I am trying to convince many here who insist that the car is from 1953. A picture of Tony with Rattletrap from before that year would be fantastic if you know anyone from the same circle of friends who may have something.:beer:
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Rattletrap
11 years ago
Further reply from Eckberth v.Witzleben M.A. at the Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen;

The Volkswagen Export Modell was equipped since June 1949 with a completely cloth fitted passenger compartment, so your vehicle is a VW Standard. My speculation is that your VW Standard is specially for the military trimmed on the outside like an Export Modell; for example it was a car for a high rank military officer. Another explanation I haven´t in the present time, because we haven´t the chassisnumber for an absolutely correct research.

It seems to going a little off track, but she is referring to the fact that Rattletrap has no headliner down to the sides and door pillars, and no gripper above the doors or down the pillars for it either. A point raised a few times earlier in this thread.

They are researching from the body number of the car.
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Rattletrap
10 years ago
I met up recently with my long-term friend and VW enthusiast from way back, Richard Cotton. Richard says he well remembers Rattletrap being at Hazelock's for the rebuild. He says that he remembers that a 1955 Deluxe oval was sacrificed to repair Rattletrap. This would fit in with things, if you look at page 9 on this thread it can be seen that the headliner gripper above the door opening on the crash (repair) side, has been ground off.

From information given from Wolfsburg, Rattletrap could have been a Standard model with Deluxe trim added to adorn the exterior body work.

Requote: My speculation is that your VW Standard is specially for the military trimmed on the outside like an Export Modell; for example it was a car for a high rank military officer.

This makes sense, as on the unrepaired side of Rattletrap there is no sign of a headliner gripper. The trim holes on this side are out of normal position, indicating they have been added. Whereas on the repaired side (donor Deluxe car) they are exact spacing to normal.:smile:
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Rattletrap
10 years ago
Help required!:beer:

I cannot get Rattletrap's choke cable to move at all. It's not trapped between the engine rear and the back bulkhead, or caught anywhere that I can see. If I disconnect it I can't even pull it out. Anyone had this with their old Beetle?

The starter will only work on a 12volt battery. I have cleaned/added new wiring contacts, but its too slow on a 6volt to turn the engine fast enough.
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
AW
  • AW
  • pre67vw Junkie
10 years ago
Are the Earths OK ??? Also the bush in the gearbox that the starter fits in may be worn. Causing the pinion shaft to move about.




Andy W



As For the choke :cry:
Old Blue
10 years ago

Are the Earths OK ??? Also the bush in the gearbox that the starter fits in may be worn. Causing the pinion shaft to move about.




Andy W



As For the choke :cry:

AW wrote:


Jon's oval was a slow starter. It now has a new heavy duty 6 volt battery, and starts brilliantly.
1956 VW Beetle, 1962 Morris Minor, 1968 VW Beetle (Old Blue), 1972 Morris Mini, 2005 MGTF

Blue, blue, Electric Blue, that's the colour of Old Blue!
Old Blue
10 years ago
The choke cable could be very corroded in places and stuck in the sleeve:?
1956 VW Beetle, 1962 Morris Minor, 1968 VW Beetle (Old Blue), 1972 Morris Mini, 2005 MGTF

Blue, blue, Electric Blue, that's the colour of Old Blue!
Rattletrap
10 years ago
The cable is well stuck, I don't think choke cables pass through anything tight enough for it to jam. The tube through the tunnel is a larger diameter than the thin cable by a lot.:?
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Rattletrap
10 years ago
I can't believe the prices for a decent 6volt battery:o
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Rich Oakley
10 years ago

I can't believe the prices for a decent 6volt battery:o

Rattletrap wrote:



£77 isn't a lot of money??!
47 Beetle, 56 UK Karmann Cabriolet, 56 UK Beetle, 57 UK Type 2, 59 UK Beetle, 66 UK Fastback.
Rattletrap
10 years ago

£77 isn't a lot of money??!

Rich Oakley wrote:


Hi Rich, I hope all is well:smile:

I have always bought my batteries for around £50 at a local battery specialist.

Same place now wants £120 for the same battery, plus I have to wait for it to arrive at the shop.

Also, I think you had an issue with a jammed choke cable on your '59, and posted somewhere on these forums:?

What was the outcome:?:
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
GKL 7
10 years ago

£77 isn't a lot of money??!

Rich Oakley wrote:




It's an awful lot of money if you haven't got it.
Agree with John,Batteries have gone a shocking price(ha! ha!)
Rattletrap
10 years ago

It's an awful lot of money if you haven't got it.
Agree with John,Batteries have gone a shocking price(ha! ha!)

GKL 7 wrote:


Hi George. I'd settle for £77 over £120 if they wanted that. Mind you I'm asking for heavy duty.
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Rich Oakley
10 years ago
I bought a couple from Shield batteries last year for £77 each. Bishops Stortford so not too far from you John.

https://www.shieldbatteries.co.uk/products/shield/404.html 

47 Beetle, 56 UK Karmann Cabriolet, 56 UK Beetle, 57 UK Type 2, 59 UK Beetle, 66 UK Fastback.
Rich Oakley
10 years ago
Choke cable nightmare. Read half way down this page:

https://forums.pre67vw.com/yaf_postst18997_Garnet-Red-1959-Beetle-Restoration.aspx 
47 Beetle, 56 UK Karmann Cabriolet, 56 UK Beetle, 57 UK Type 2, 59 UK Beetle, 66 UK Fastback.
Old Blue
10 years ago

I bought a couple from Shield batteries last year for £77 each. Bishops Stortford so not too far from you John.

https://www.shieldbatteries.co.uk/products/shield/404.html 

Rich Oakley wrote:


Jon eventually bought a new battery for the oval. He went 'online' and got one for around £80. £77 is good especially for over the counter.
1956 VW Beetle, 1962 Morris Minor, 1968 VW Beetle (Old Blue), 1972 Morris Mini, 2005 MGTF

Blue, blue, Electric Blue, that's the colour of Old Blue!
Old Blue
10 years ago

Choke cable nightmare. Read half way down this page:

https://forums.pre67vw.com/yaf_postst18997_Garnet-Red-1959-Beetle-Restoration.aspx 

Rich Oakley wrote:


I remember you advertised the car for sale here. A good decision to keep and 'restore' it. An attractive colour on a good year car.:smile:
1956 VW Beetle, 1962 Morris Minor, 1968 VW Beetle (Old Blue), 1972 Morris Mini, 2005 MGTF

Blue, blue, Electric Blue, that's the colour of Old Blue!
Rattletrap
10 years ago
What drastic action to replace the choke cable Rich. I'm sure that you considered options including a re-route of the cable, before undertaking such a task.

At the moment, the thought of an automatic choke comes to mind. Anyone have suggestions of a replacement carb or carb to auto choke conversion kit for a 30hp motor?
Rattletrap – the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950… the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW – he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378 
Mike Peckham
10 years ago


At the moment, the thought of an automatic choke comes to mind. Anyone have suggestions of a replacement carb or carb to auto choke conversion kit for a 30hp motor?

Rattletrap wrote:



A 28PICT would be pretty much a straight swap, just need to run a feed wire from the coil to the auto choke element.

Mike
July 1957 UK supplied RHD Oval. 1972 World Champion Beetle. 1978 UK supplied RHD 1303LS Cabriolet. 1973 UK supplied RHD 1303s.
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