Volkswagen – CARS-YDSE.com

55 – Old Enough To Retire (1956 VW)

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I was on the way to the bank last week and saw this car at my local gas station. It was obviously recently restored and I go to talk to the owner. The owner seemed a bit distracted but it became apparent a bit later as to why.When I was a kid in high school VW was the cute little car that did not change its appearance year over year just for the sake of change. The big advertising pitch really concentrated on this as well as the price. I think the car sold for $1895 in 1961 and the major advertising was in print and on TV. I found this TV add on-line and it states that it is from the 1949 auto show. I think this was produced in the mid 1960s because I doubt the TV audience was big enough in 1949 to warrant this big a budget on this advertisement.View This Classic VideoThe next picture is of the rear window. This is one way to tell the approximate age of the VW Bug. From 1945-1953 the Bugs had a split oval rear window. This car has an oval rear window which was introduced in 1954. Sometime in the early 1960s, VW changed the rear window and enlarged it quite a bit.Click on pictures to Z O O M in.The next two shots are of the interior and of the car hitched up to a tow truck. The first shows how “Bare Bones” the interior of the car really was. The second shot with the tow truck would explain why the owner was not really in a mood to talk. Its kind of a bummer to talk about your recently restored car while it’s being towed away to the repair shop.Click on pictures to Z O O Min.

196? VW Truck

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I’m going to guess at the year of this truck. I think it’s a 1966 or so. I can not locate any production figures but, rest assured, this is a car you don’t see everyday. When I was just out of college, my girlfriends’ father had a 1962 VW bus that we sometimes drove from New Jersey to Gloucester Massachusetts in the winter time. We nearly froze to death on many of those rides but we were young.

This truck belongs to an re-upholstery business a few blocks from our house. Hopefully, they spend their time finishing the various coaches and chairs and have little time to look after the truck.

I’ve seen some other notable versions of the VW bus out there. Here are a few links.

1960 Double Cab

This is an early 1960 Double Cab, that grew up right here in Northern California. It is a very DRY D/C. Has some minor front cab floor rust, and needs a battery tray. Other than that, the Outriggers, Crossmembers, jackpoints, Inner and Outer Rockers, Inner fender wells are all Super nice. Like i said, it is a “DRY” Truck. rear floor is super nice as well.

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1965 Volkswagen Ziegler Feuerwehr Type T8F-T Fire Truck

The most noticeable of this changes or additions, is the installation of a 36hp flat-four Volkswagen engine acting as a water pump for fire extinguishing purposes. The engine rests on a special set of rails that permit the operators to literally pull-out the engine to the side of the right hand doors, for ease of operation and maintenance.

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1972 or 73 Karmann Ghia Type 14

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This car was photographed in April 2001 while walking to work. I believe it is a 1972 or 73 based on the lights and the bumper. This car was in very good condition.

In 1970 larger tail lights integrated the reverse lights and larger wrap-around turn signals in contrast to the earlier “bullet” style lights. VW models of this era have earned the slang nickname fat chicks[9]. Larger and wider taillights in 1972 increased side visibility. For the USA model only, NHTSA mandated 1973 modifications included larger energy-absorbing bumpers. Also, there was the provision of a package shelf in lieu of the modest rear seat.

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Early VW Beatle

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Madison avenue avenue had a great time with this car. There was a TV commercial in the late 50’s that played simulated “pitches” from the 1949 Auto Show. It highlighted the De Soto, Studebaker, Packard and Hudson and their promises to keep up with what the people want and with fashion. Then the announcer moves to the VW booth and the actor pitches how VW changes for improvements, not for style. In closing a voice over says, “Of all the promises made at the 1949 Auto Show, we at Volkswagen kept ours”.

Follow this link to see the video. VIDEO, click here

This 1956 or so (oval real windows were made from 1953-1956) looks a bit battered but it was still running when I snapped this shot. How would you look if you lived on the street for over 50 years?

VW Thing, 1974

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I think this is a 1974 Volkswagen Thing. It was also called the VW Safari in some countries. It’s a bare minimum car. It does not appear to have seat-belts, padded dashboard or any other safety features like air bags. It was basic transportation. I believe these were only sold for two years in the U.S. 1973 and 1974.