International Vintage Volkswagen Forums

I was wondering what the story was for starter handles on Beetles?

I always assumed it was either really early cars or standard models, but at Camberg I was looking at Heb #166 that had the starter handle hole and inside cover etc. I had always thought that cabrios were based on deluxe models unless they were for the Police - but it also has cable brakes.

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I'll also be interested to know, always wondered.

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I got to hand crank a 1950 Beetle in France a year back. Always wanted to try that.:d

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As far as my knowledge goes....the crank starter or hand starting was standard until the end of the 49 model. Afterwards, it was an option until 52. correct me if I am wrong.

On an early heb, a rare beast, it is standard. As with the cable brakes. The seats, as some may think, are for sure on rails for the adjustmens and not with the clamps. All Hebs were deluxe as far as the trim and seats...mechanics are standards.
Heb 166 is as correct as it gets.

Nothing to do with the starter hole in the rear apron but is there something weird on the twin picts? I seems that in 49, there was already some photoshopskils...
Both picts are the same. On one there is a correction on the background...It is gone, under the car you see the wet drips on both picts, the tires are in the exact position...Weird.:o  werk4.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.  werk11.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.  7216.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.

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Photo retouching was standard practice back in the day, nearly all adverts that featured a product would be retouched. It's what the airbrush was invented for!

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Not checked any other reference guide but from the IVVM beetle age finder it states from Oct '49 Chassis 10 127 560 starting handle no longer supplied

I will not correct you. As Kev says, Oct '49 was the last of the starter crank handles as standard.

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I think, not absolutely sure though, it was an option here in Belgium atleast until 58. Couldn't believe it myself but the photo and car looked pretty original.
It's a CKD Belgian manufactured one from the Brussels Plant. I'll see if I can locate a picture.
But, on the other hand, it might have been taken from a split. Because it also had a rear lid handle from a split installed.  crank58 (Small).jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.

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It looks like the spahr-käfers had a hole in the rear valance for a starter handle, was it an option on those? The 181/thing had starter handles as an option right into the 70's...

I've also seen a '57 Cantebury Pitt Camper with a starter handle, so not convinced it was only an option until '52.  DSCF2762.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.

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:thumbup:

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Didn't all Type 2's have a starter handle/hole until maybe even the late 50's?

This is the parents Nov '58.

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Yes, buses had them until the late 50s or possibly even to 61.

I'm intending to retro fit one to my car - I thought I had the correct nut but it may not be right - I may therefore be on the lookout for a correct crank handle crank nut.

I'd love one, may drill the valance in my '63. Not original so no great loss, be a nice little feature to confuse people in Waitrose carpark. :d

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