Differences between a '55 and '51 DeLuxe

[SplitPersonality]

Gents,
I might end up using parts off a May'55 to complete my '51. I am a little uncertain on "compatibility" between some of the parts.. What are your comments on these - and it is basically "does the '55 parts fit on the '51?":

- Front bumper incl trim
- Roof windows
- Corner windows
- "Other" windows (rear, set sides, opening sides, fronts)
- Cargo doors, complete
- Front doors (lower half)
- Seats (middle and rear - besides the color of the vinyl)
- Will the '55 rear bumper trim fit on the corner of the body on the '51?

Any comments and facts from the BD DeLuxe experts out there?

Thanks in forehand!

[Rusting Hulk]

the front bumper and trim should be the same
the roof windows are different the 51 should have plexiglas ones
the corner windows should be plexiglas
the windscreens are different, but all other glass is the same i think, logo's may differ slighty
Cargo doors are different
front doors have different impressions where handle is.
Seats are the same, apart from the back rest on the 51 has different mounting
the 55 bumper trim will not fit the 51 body to my knowledge
look on www.barndoor.dk for more info
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64 356 C Coupe

[SplitPersonality]

Thank you! I have some more questions...

Front bumper:
When was the change from "narrow" to "wide" license plate "flat space"?
Cargo doors:
What exactly is the differences on these?
Front doors:
Besides the ext door handle "dent" - are there other differences?
Seats:
How many legs on the middle and rear seat for a barndoor - and when did the change to fewer legs occur?

[Barndoor Mafia]

Those two buses are night and day different!

[[email protected]]

A 51/early 52 deluxe barndoor is way diffrent then even a late 52 to 55 barndoor.
Doors =you need pre early 52 down
Cargo doors= way diifrent then late 55 doors the just wont fit.
middle set=A early 56 (wolfberg) or older middle set with 6 legs will work
bumper= early 56 on the front bumper.

btw any pic of your 51.




wanted: rear seat botom cover for early 52 deluxe barndoor.
also wanted westfalia interior pre 57

[Rusting Hulk]

Do you mean the door tops or the main cab door? I know the tops are different, but didnt know there was nay difference in the door itself.
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64 356 C Coupe

[SplitPersonality]

Thanks for all inputs...

I know that "everything" is different on these two buses, and I also know "we don't bother" about late models like a 55 is... But I was looking to debate the very few tiny bits that potentially could be common, that is the reason for my initial post. Thanks for the replies.

Front doors:
I have got piano-hinge doors, but they are beyond rusty along the bottom. That is why I still ask - are the April'55-door bottoms (meaning from beltline down - "anything below the glass") the same as the 51? IF there is a difference on the door handle indentation - are there other differences on the door pressing itself?

Cargo doors:
What are the differences between a April '55 door and an October '51? I am missing the cargo doors completely on the '51.

[Drew Ogden]

I dont believe that front doors or cargo doors are different from an early barndoor to a late barndoor. The cab door handles are different (smaller key hole, 29 part number, thicker casting), and of course the window frames are different. I have never taken off my door panels to examine any "hidden" differences that may lie behind...
I would not hesitate to switch those parts.

[merz356]

I believe the Cargo Doors and possibly the front doors are different...BUT only on EARLY busses as in pre 5000(Stand Up Tire) This might have rolled over for some month's,but I don't think the late 51 sambas had this.

Drew yours might be different, I remember when Charlie was working on Ed's '50 panel the doors were different.

[Drew Ogden]

My Jan 51 doors look the same as the March 53 doors when no interior panels are removed, what was different with Ed's doors????