54-55 oval dig out

[esde]

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

[67Cabrio]

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

[joel55bug]

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.

[txoval]

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.

[Abscate]

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!

[fuscavw]

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.

[tisius]

[vw54john]

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

[tisius]

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!

[esde]

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

[Russ]

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:)

[EVfun]

[splitwindowsyndicate]

Nice work!
_________________
56 Oval
56 Oval
65 Deluxe Bus
67 Kombi
77 911
99 Ducati 900SS

[esde]

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

[motofly196]

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!

[AlanInMass54]

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.

[Westy Steve]

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

[esde]

[splitjunkie]

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

[janerick3]

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.