February '55 Aussie ckd

[Mitchvwnut]

Hi all!!
I just joined the forum and thought I'd introduce myself.
I own a feb '55 Aussie oval beetle which I am currently restoring back to
Original specs. It's been off the road for many years and had a few incorrect parts like wheels, decklid and boot lid.
I've owned it for just under a year and and have spent that time replacing anything that was incorrect for the car or needed replacing. I've also stripped the car of all the panels and trims
The car requires heater channels, a pillars, and lower rear quarters but other than that it is pretty well rust free. I will be starting a panel beating course which I will use the skills I learn to carry out the panel repairs myself.
I will upload some pictures shortly.

Thanks!!
Mitch

[Mitchvwnut]

The day I bought it.

[Mitchvwnut]

Interior pic

[Mitchvwnut]

The car with the incorrect parts replaced woth correct parts.

[Mitchvwnut]

How it currently sits.

[splitjunkie]

Welcome. Do yourself a favor. Get your sheet metal replacement parts from Wolf, Virtenen, and KlassicFab. All the other Brazilian and Danish stuff is crap.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[Mitchvwnut]

Thanks for the advice!!
I've already bought some klassic fab heater channels but I bought autocraft a-pillars. Are autocraft panels alright to use?? I will be ordering the rear quarters from virtenen when I get a chance

[Dave Becker]

Hi Mitch, good to see another Aussie Oval being restored, I am just about ready to paint some colour on my '56 Rag top.
What is your Oval's MKA Number, it is stamped behind the spare wheel.

Where in Australia are you? I might be able to help you with the correct engine lid if you still need one, I bought a spare for mine and didn't use it as it was for an early Oval.

This is mine before I started restoring it earlier this year

_________________
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[Mitchvwnut]

Hi Dave
That's a nice oval you have there!!
I think my ovals MKA # is 5228 (I can't remember exactly I'll have to double check).
I'm located in Sydney. I do have a decklid for it which is rust free but I think something has been dropped on it and flattened it because it fouls on the top gutter which stops it closing properly. I'll try save it but if it can't be fixed I'll keep you in mind.
Thanks
Mitch

[andyvwbug]

Hi Mitch, warm regards from Prague! It has been a while since Hessisch Oldendorf, I hope you`re doing well!
So what`s new with your oval since your last post?
Andy
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1959 Type 11 De Luxe Sedan
1974 Type 151 1303 Convertible

[Mitchvwnut]

Hey Andy!
It’s good to hear from you!! I Hope you’ve been doing well too.
Ive been super busy, but things have been good.
Unfortunately not a lot has been done to the car since HO, other than collecting parts. The pause on progress is mainly due to the car being stored at my parents house (not local to me) although it will be coming to my house very soon!

I’ve got nearly everything I need to rebuild the chassis, plus I’m getting close to having found all the NOS parts i was looking for (I’m still looking for NOS early rhd floor mats and a pair of headlight lenses)

I’ve also since organised a panel beater to do the metal work, instead of doing it myself, as I’m planning this to be a show quality restoration.
I’ll put up some photos of what I’ve found for it
Cheers
Mitch

[Mitchvwnut]

The current state of the car.

I was on a holiday and drove to the city i bought the car from (1600km from me) and i dropped into see the previous owner. He was kind enough to give me some old photos he had of the car!

Then there’s the NOS parts I’ve collected....

Plus I machined up a new bearing for the pinion shaft.

[Mitchvwnut]

Picked up some more parts this week. Found a NOS front cowl and 3 NOS window rubbers. I still need the right hand side rear quarter, which I think i may have already found. I’ve also managed to find some NOS RHD rubber floor mats, which I should be picking up In the next couple of weeks.

[Mitchvwnut]

I recently bought a NOS ignition coil I didn’t think I’d be able to find!
Not only is it NOS but it’s also dated the same month and year as my car!!
That means everything on the motor is now dated 2L (feb 55)

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June 54 barndoor 11 window
February '55 Oval Beetle- Restoration
62 beetle - daily driver
'89 Transporter

[EverettB]

Wow! I'm jealous too because I also have a 2L VW.
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[Mitchvwnut]

Is your feb 55 also a beetle Everett?
I’m still surprised that I managed to find a date stamped NOS coil haha

Anyway, on another note I picked up some RHD floor mats. The front two are NOS, and the rear two are Wolfsburg west. Anyone with a RHD 54/55 will know these are borderline impossible to find, as repro is not available. I’m really happy to have found some as I find they really finish the interior.

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June 54 barndoor 11 window
February '55 Oval Beetle- Restoration
62 beetle - daily driver
'89 Transporter

[motofly196]

I have a VERY nice original set from a 55' LHD that took me forever to find. I can't even imagine trying to find an NOS RHD set. That's awesome!

[Mitchvwnut]

They weren’t easy to find! I’d been proactively looking for 4 years to buy them. Haha
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June 54 barndoor 11 window
February '55 Oval Beetle- Restoration
62 beetle - daily driver
'89 Transporter