Hi all,
I bought a very original 1959 Beetle last year that originated from Sweden. Will gladly post up a pic if interested. Somewhere along the way all the Swedish history has been lost. I believe it only had one Swedish owner for 40 years but I don't have any real proof of this. I was trawling the internet last week and came across an address you could write to in Sweden where you could get details of past owners of a vehicle but I can't for the life of me find it now!! Does anyone here know where to find that information please? I'd love to find out if the original owner is still alive... My cars on its original engine and it's done only approximately 24000 miles. I'm trying to obtain UK owner information too in the hope I can trace the lost paperwork. It was in Total VW magazine back in 2000 and the article mentioned it had full history back then so it has been lost in the last 15 years.
Many thanks
Jon
Posted by: AW - 07 January 2015 12:34:51
I cannot help with any of the above but would love to see a photo of her.
Andy W
Posted by: jb71 - 07 January 2015 13:22:48
Hi Andy, sure here goes.
[URL=https://s170.photobucket.com/user/jonb911/media/IMG_4739_zps617444df.jpg.html][IMG]https://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/jonb911/IMG_4739_zps617444df.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Posted by: vintagebug - 07 January 2015 14:16:02
I can't help you either Jon, but that's a lovely looking car. Didn't European '59 Beetles have semaphores though?
Dave
Posted by: jb71 - 07 January 2015 14:50:24
Hi Dave,
I'll bow to others greater knowledge on here, but I think the cars destined for Swedish market were different in 59.... I believe it's always had the front indicators and I have the original clear lenses still. It's never been restored, so the paint is a little thin in places! the mileage is believed genuine.
Cheers
Jon
Posted by: onion - 07 January 2015 17:42:10
Hi, Swedish 59´s still had semaphores, the 1960 model year post aug 59 had clear front indicators and flashing rear brake lights in an oval light with red plastic lenses.
Posted by: vintagebug - 07 January 2015 17:44:02
[quote=jb71;59851]Hi Dave,
...I think the cars destined for Swedish market were different in 59.... I believe it's always had the front indicators...
Cheers
Jon[/quote]
That's interesting, I didn't know that. Every day's a school day, as they say :-)
Considering it's never been restored, that's an amazing car you've got there!
Posted by: onion - 07 January 2015 17:46:53
Hi, just looked closer at your photo, yours is definitely a 1960 year model, as it has push button door handles,and i think it is a 1960 one year only colour too ,Indigo blue with water blue interior.. Nice car by the way.
Posted by: vintagebug - 07 January 2015 17:47:00
[quote=onion;59852]Hi, Swedish 59´s still had semaphores, the 1960 model year post aug 59 had clear front indicators and flashing rear brake lights in an oval light with red plastic lenses.[/quote]
Thanks Owen, I'll go with that as you probably know more about early Swedish Beetles than anyone on this site. So maybe this one's a '60 model year (ie > Aug '59)?
Posted by: AW - 07 January 2015 17:52:51
yes looks like a late 59 :d but still she looks nice :thumbup:
Andy W
Posted by: jb71 - 07 January 2015 17:57:58
Wow a flurry of action. It's a Dec 59 car, so yes a 60 model year. In Indigo blue, and I think the paint is all or mostly original. Interior is cloth, will find a pic later.
I'm really smitten with the car as you can probably tell. Came with wheel beauty rings but I prefer the car without them. Thanks for all the positive comments!
Posted by: Robb - 07 January 2015 18:44:57
yes that's a 60.
I remember it being featured in a magazine a few years ago now, think it was VW motoring and owned by a lady......low mileage back then I think also?
Posted by: jb71 - 07 January 2015 18:59:16
Hi Robb, Sounds like the same car. I have a couple of magazines the last owner gave me. It was in VW Motoring in June 2000 and Total VW in Sept 2000. At the time the mileage was around 18,000.
Cheers
Jon
Posted by: Robb - 08 January 2015 08:43:25
good to hear that history is still with the car!
whats the mileage now?
when I first saw my 67 it had only just covered 50k, but had reached 80k by the time I actually had the chance to buy it!
don't change a thing- cool car!
Posted by: jb71 - 08 January 2015 13:27:54
Hi Robb, yes I sort of know the history to the car but I would love to have all the old paperwork, and service info. I'm trying to contact the UK owners since it was imported, there's been 4. I've already been in touch with the lady who had it in the mag articles. Would love to get some old pics of it in Sweden too but that's probably wishful thinking!! It only had the one owner in Sweden though so perhaps that's possible...
Mileage is now approx 38,000km so that's about 24,000 miles.
No I won't be changing a thing, although I would like to bolt on indicator lights onto the rear bumper if that's possible as it does have the flashing rear brake lights which can be hard to see. Any mod would have to be totally reversible though.
Cheers
Jon
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 09 January 2015 00:13:48
It's a lovely car indeed, one of the nicest 60 models around. I didn't realise that the previous owner Steve had sold it recently?
Aparently in Sweden, you could order 1959 models from Aug 1958, with flashing indicators instead of semaphores (an option you would have to specify).
Posted by: jb71 - 09 January 2015 11:17:06
Thanks Rich, yes I bought it from Steve (a very nice Gent!) back in Oct/Nov.
Posted by: jb71 - 09 January 2015 11:18:23
Guys - any suggestions for where to get her serviced in the spring? I'm based in Sussex.
Thanks
Jon
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 09 January 2015 17:20:29
[quote=jb71;59868]Guys - any suggestions for where to get her serviced in the spring? I'm based in Sussex.
Thanks
Jon[/quote]
Hi Jon,
Without a doubt, Karl McCarthy:
[email protected]
He's in Henfield. Whereabouts are you in Sussex?
Cheers.
Rich.
Posted by: jb71 - 09 January 2015 17:23:38
Henfield is perfect. I live far side of Haywards Heath and work nr Horsham.
Thanks Rich! I'll make contact. :thumbup:
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 09 January 2015 18:12:41
[quote=jb71;59870]Henfield is perfect. I live far side of Haywards Heath and work nr Horsham.
Thanks Rich! I'll make contact. :thumbup: [/quote]
Excellent. I'm in Burgess Hill so only a few miles away from you. Feel free to pop 'round for a cuppa!
Posted by: jb71 - 09 January 2015 18:59:01
That'll be great Rich, I'll pop by with her when the weathers better!
Posted by: karlito - 09 January 2015 20:13:40
Hello!
My ears recently burst into flames ;)
I'm Karl (Wolfsburg Wizards) and my number is
07877180943 should you require my services.
You can keep up with my "thrilling" VW exploits on Facebook too... ;)
I can vouch for Rich's tea.
Very good.
Posted by: jb71 - 09 January 2015 22:43:47
Hi Karl, I shall be in touch! Is there a good time to call?
Jon
Posted by: karlito - 10 January 2015 08:27:06
Hi Jon, anytime between 9-5 weekdays.
10 is the optimum hour as I've had two cups of tea by then so can usually string a sentence together
