Okay, JD may have a point with a 1950 at the start then a change shortly later.


If Rattletrap (1) 1950 was badly damaged in the smash with the Volvo, way back then it may well have been completely scrapped (1962/3). Just maybe, Tony who obviously had contacts in Germany from his days there, may well have arranged a replacement car to collect. This being Rattletrap (2), 1953. Just a thought. Easier than messing around with a replacement chassis.


Then the problem is how much of Rattletrap (2) is left after the second smash in 1990, and what amount of mileage can be attributed to the first car.

And a Caledfryn,most people like to keep their ID private on the web. However, you are more than welcome to post your portrait, so we know who rto avoid at the shows.:wink:

Old Blue wrote:

:arrow:

'50 Karmann wrote:

I'm referring to the fact Mr Kleins mileage is reported as being authentic.

'50 Karmann wrote:

The car (in it’s 60s and 70s incarnation) was clearly a ’53, the original chassis number confirms this, and in early editions of Beetling Magazine Tony referred to it as a ’53. But Tony’s mileage record related to a car that had been built in 1950. It wasn’t until the late 70s and maybe as late as the early 80s that Tony first hit upon the story of a prototype to explain that his ’53 had been manufactured in 1950, in an attempt to appease the vintage buffs who were now savvy to the progressive refinements and knew when the Zwitter production run began.

The chances of VW creating such a prototype for a run of 100 cars is pretty much zero, not least because there is absolutely no record of it, either official or anecdotal, but also that the logistics of building such a run that so closely resembled the production car of two years hence are unimaginable. :shock:

Mike Peckham wrote:

Rob, can you move this to the Rattletrap thread please? :roll:

There was one chassis change documented and this happened after the car was registered by Tony in the Ancient Beetles Register, making the number he quoted the original. In any case, the replacement chassis was a post ‘08/55 type. The chassis number quoted by Tony as the cars original refers to a Jan ’53 Zwitter, (Black with a red interior) so clearly not that of the later chassis.

I understand from what you say that the car has had an earlier chassis fitted between the rebuild and your buying it, if this is the case, any number on there, whether it be legible or not, will bare no significance to the build date of the original car.

Considering the extent of the damage to the car and the amount of replacement panels used in its rebuild, I would not trust that the front clip is the original so any body number on there should be treated with caution.

As you have said, and rightly so, anyone claiming their car to be anything other than what it appears should get hard evidence from Volkswagen themselves to prove their case. Your car appears to be a 1953 Zwitter, the chassis number confirms this.

In order to prove that it is not what it appears, you will need to get hard evidence from Volkswagen that they produced a run of prototypes in 1950 that were exactly the same as the short run of zwitters produced 3 years later and that they issued these cars with chassis numbers that would indicate they were made 3 years later.

Do that and you might have a case.

Mike :thumbup:

Mike Peckham wrote:

I'm back on the Rattletrap case, and am now in contact with a very interested and knowledgeable lady at the VW Museum, Eckberth v.Witzleben M.A.:

Dear Sir,

I will research the vehicles which was assembled in April and Mai 1950, because your car with the Bodynumber *115 511* was produced during this time. And I hope I will find more Details about these interesting “US military vehicles”.


Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Eckberth v.Witzleben M.A.

Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen
Dieselstraße 35
38436 Wolfsburg

It is interesting that the car is termed as “US military vehicles”. The Museum have several pictures of Rattletrap, so can clearly see it has the features of a Beetle not generally seen until October 1952, known today as 'Zwitters'.

Rattletrap wrote:

Well John,you know my opinions.
But if it proves to be true.Sincerely,i'll be pleased for you.
It would also open a period of forgotten VW history.

GKL 7 wrote:

How or what became of the original chassis, who knows......

Old Blue wrote:

Hi All

I like old cars although I'm into the British car scene most. Just a post to say that this thread brings back memories to me. Way back in the late 1950s I knew Tony Levy and his car. I do know that he had the car from leaving service in Gernmay and it was a black Beatle. Details of the car I do not remember but I think it had the unusual double glass window. He drove the thing a lot and so loved it for its good faithful service. He loved publicity and never missed a chance to have it in the paper and once I remember a TV appearance. Great days!

Old School wrote: