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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5969 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:08 pm Post subject: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Found this oval tucked in with a stash of later bugs. It was very over grown, and completely sunk in the sand, right to the beam. Judging from the cars around it, it was likely parked somewhere around 1970. Here's the first shot I have of it
The interior is a bit of a wreck, but complete. Several large shed snake skins suggest something was healthy keeping the mice away
A deal was struck, and I brought my skid steer to make a path, and clear about a foot of leaves. Had to cut quite a few trees that had grown around it. Here's my buddy Joe, who ran the chainsaw for me
Pulled it out of the vines. The rear bumper decided it was going to stay, which was a shame. I was surprised when I saw the tail lights.
Was easy with the skid steer.
And out of the thicket, finally
Loaded
So, it's back at my shop and I'm amazed at how complete it is, but it is rough. It needs pans/channels/quarters/ aprons/ door bottoms. All of the fenders are original, and they all need work because of thin edges, which I have done, but man. What a project.
How rare are semaphore/ ribbed door ovals? Would it be considered sacrilege to use this as a donor for my 50 split shell? Just looking for some insight, as I haven't had any really early cars before; most of my junk has been 60's junk.
SD |
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67Cabrio Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2014 Posts: 31 Location: Everett, Wa
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Man, that car is a neat find! Would have loved to find a car like that as opposed to our '55. As far as how rare they are, I can't answer that question. But it would be a great candidate to either get back on the road or fix your split |
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joel55bug Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2005 Posts: 297 Location: Texas
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Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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That is US spec '55 oval, suggested by the rare and hard to find '55 US only tail lights. I personally think this should be a keeper cause it is such a complete car. I already chimed in on your other thread in the split forums so I won't repeat myself but I will say that the sources I've suggested in the other thread will work great for both cars, however, it won't be cheap. They are both great cars that are highly desirable, done right they will fetch some decent coin if that's what you're after. Congrats on the finds and good luck on your journey whatever you decide. |
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txoval Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004 Posts: 3556 Location: The Woodlands, TX
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 4:18 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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If you do decide to part it out, please PM me as I'd be interested in the front seats for my 54.
It will be a heck of a metal work project, but it does appear to be complete. |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22672 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 4:29 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Rare, but as a business opportunity the best ROI is parting out, followed by flipping now. You will not make money restoring and selling.
Of course the best ROI is restoring and keeping but that's a different R. _________________ .ssS! |
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fuscavw Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 270 Location: SE Idaho
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 6:47 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Such a cool and rare find considering how it was never robbed of its parts over the years. U.S. spec early 55 car. Would be cool to pass if on to someone that will restore it if you decide not to keep it. |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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txoval wrote: |
If you do decide to part it out, please PM me as I'd be interested in the front seats for my 54.
It will be a heck of a metal work project, but it does appear to be complete. |
I'd say: labour of love!
Economically that one might not be interesting as a business plan, then parting out or selling it on would be the way to go.
But remember: the VW community wants old VW's to be the best they can be!
That car could be an awesome rat. Slam it, big engine, disc brakes, some alloys, job done. _________________ drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
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vw54john Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Cheshire, CT USA
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 8:19 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Please don't part it out. If you don't have the time, ambition, money or stomach to restore it, please consider flipping it. Complete, early ovals are becoming too rare to have another one raped, cut up or crushed. There are plenty of people who'd love to get their hands on this car. _________________ Regards, John
'54 Strato Silver Oval |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 8:49 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Already noticed that Esde is from the rustbelt and that he's been a Samba-member since 2007?
Being from that part of the US, he knows that that oval could be saved with a good deal of love and labour, so if resurrected: make it a ratlook!
And remember: cars are a lump of steel at the end of the day, and the older they get the more work they need done on _________________ drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5969 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Yeah, cars that sit around here don't ever hold promising surprises. It's a damned shame, as road salt didn't kill this car, the wet forrest floor did. Sitting up to the pan in leaves and sand was the end. So, if it was anything other than what it is, (or earlier) I would have parted it out already. There gave been more than enough PM's sent that it could all be spoken for already.
But, it is an extremely complete, early car. I may put it in the classifieds to see if someone wants to take on the project, though I'd hate to see it get parted out by the next owner..
It's bad, rust has gotten the a and b pillars, 3-6" up, heater channels and floors are long gone, both aprons, fender edges, hood edge, front and rear aprons, and thin with pin holes all over the place. Doors are shot too. Sounds promising right?
I've got a split that needs major surgery, and this could donate to the cause..
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653153
Just not sure yet. I just pulled it off the trailer, and stuck 4 wheels with decent tires on it. Will pull it inside and on the lift next week, and make a final call.
SD |
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Russ Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2003 Posts: 1560 Location: Langley B.C.
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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i would love to see someone tackle this
i am always amazed when i pop into the barn door forums what they fix.
one piece at a time, but i agree it would not be an easy task _________________ Cruiser pedals for sale (see my ad's)
55 hardtop finally finished
65 beetle done:) |
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EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5486 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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esde wrote: |
I've got a split that needs major surgery, and this could donate to the cause..
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653153
Just not sure yet. I just pulled it off the trailer, and stuck 4 wheels with decent tires on it. Will pull it inside and on the lift next week, and make a final call.
SD |
I suppose it could contribute to your split, but it looks like your split and this early oval need many of the same things -- the bottom 6 inches of the body. I don't have a good answer about how to proceed, but remember the goal. Here on the left coast we are a bit spoiled. I bought a '57 for a daily driver because the heater channels worked perfectly (heat, even from both sides.) _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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splitwindowsyndicate Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2008 Posts: 431 Location: Redmond, Oregon
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:52 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Nice work! _________________ 56 Oval
56 Oval
65 Deluxe Bus
67 Kombi
77 911
99 Ducati 900SS |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5969 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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The carnage, it really is completely rough. Or complete and rough. Roughly complete. Haha
Front a pillars, channels, lower wheel wells, floor pans, etc
nice place to nest
seats, I think they are correct for the 55. How early are these correct for?
Passenger side door is a mess
Back seat is really nice, and original cover
FE2O3
Front fenders, and the early non bullet fenders the same as split or zwitter fenders? These are shot at the corners but could be saved with some work
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motofly196 Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008 Posts: 1467 Location: Eastern WA
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Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:21 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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That's a really cool car! Please don't disassemble it until you get TONS of pictures!! It will definitely help us who are putting together "correct" 55's. Can you get a good shot of the front bumper? Is the Speedometer in MPH?
Yes, those seats are correct for the car. I agree, it is pretty rusty...but it's a great time capsule! |
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AlanInMass54 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2003 Posts: 1070 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:27 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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Yes it's rusty but fixable. I'm sure the vultures are circling and bombing your PM box. Hell, I need the front seats but it would be a real shame to part a car out like that which has stayed intact all these years. |
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Westy Steve Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2006 Posts: 1095
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Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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That car can definitely be fixed. I fixed one way worse than that.
Flip the car. Flip the complete car for the correct parts you need to fix your older car. Or flip it for cash that you can use to buy the correct parts you need to fix your older car. Win-win. _________________ Have nice 914, want nice Bug |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5969 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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motofly196 wrote: |
That's a really cool car! Please don't disassemble it until you get TONS of pictures!! It will definitely help us who are putting together "correct" 55's. Can you get a good shot of the front bumper? Is the Speedometer in MPH?
Yes, those seats are correct for the car. I agree, it is pretty rusty...but it's a great time capsule! |
Here you go…
Door, the pins are rusted tight in the handles. Gonna be a chore getting them apart
Behind the dash
My shop vac's missing the filter, so I have yet to vacuum the mess.
Found the heater tubes completely intact.
Tire well is shot, apron is rough, but not too bad otherwise
73,911 maybe
original roller pedal
Seat is nice
SD |
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splitjunkie Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4095
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 4:44 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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That car has some serious rust. Something might have nested above the windshield holding in moisture causing the rust out.
I hope the rest of the top of the car is solid.
I once bought a '56 shell that had been baja'd for for a few donor pieces. It had a lot of rust down low but the top looked good at first glance. Once I got into it the entire top part of the car was like swiss cheese.
You just never know until you start really digging into a car. _________________ Chris
You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld |
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janerick3 Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006 Posts: 1879 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 6:50 am Post subject: Re: 54-55 oval dig out |
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The body number is hard to read, but if it is 661426, the car is late October 1954 production.
A few things to look for:
- Are there small drain holes at the bottoms of the "egg" light housings?
- Is there a "bulls eye" in the center of the taillight lens?
- Is there an oil hole or an oil slot on the door hinges? _________________ Thanks,
Jan K. |
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