Not that I need any more, but Ive just bought this 57-60??? rag top.

As you know im a sucker for a project. and this one came up at an price too good to turn down.

Idea being I can sell all three and finally begin to build my dream type87 replica.

Anyway, sadly the car has been chopped about over the years, Dare I say it, (please dont shoot me, i didnt do it) It had a subaru impreza turbo engine fitted.

So the bulkhead has been cut about, the front apron and also sadly the dash. I suppose if you can call it a good side the work was done professionally and was owned buy once of the main mechanics for TSR VW drag racing. So although cut about it was at least done "right".

Anyway also the car is sitting on a chassis (117 68* ***) which I can date to april 1967, and also the chassis has been converted to full IRS rear suspension.

So as you can understand its a total bitza of a car at the moment. But nothing a welder and lots of patience can not sort out.

It would be nice to date the body, firstly just so i can know what year its from but also then I can decide if its worth trying to find a correct year chassis for it.

Its got an original Goldie 3 fold sunroof, i have no knowledge on these, but its a roof and has 3 folds in it is i guess its right:lol:

The Semaphores and small windows mean it has to be 60 or earlier I think.

The only other thing I thought may help are the door catch pressings, as I believe these changed at some point?

Any help would be appreciated, so I can decide what the best route is to take. Remember im only getting these 3 cars back on the road so I can build my dream split bug!!!

Thanks guys

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36 views, and no help:cry:

anyone got any ideas:?:

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My best guess would be a European '60 model car.

Going by the semaphores, the two fold roof (correct for this period,), also in '58/'59 there were very distinctive drain tubes in the engine bay, which this has not got. So I think im right in saying that the car can only have been built between August '59 and July '60?




(EDIT: Is that a two fold? looks like it goes too far back but I cant see any signs of welding?)

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Did Euro 60´s come with semaphores?
I had a 60´s rag-top sold in Sweden chassis no. 3114xxx and it did not have them.

/Ola

The sun roof is original, so there will not be any welding. I believe it to be a 3 fold goldie sunroof. supposed to be quite rare.

The sun roof pictue you can see is not the best shot of it. for a start its all pulled up to the front where it was strapped up for the journey home.

Do you have pictures of drain tubes? Problem is the cars been so cut about, I wouldnt feel confident dating it on this!



I know they phased them out in 59 and stopped in 1960, but i would not know the exact dates.

Anyone have any more thoughts on the door catch pressings, as im sure they are a good dating point, i remember some one saying they changed in 58 I think?

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Anything Aug '55+ would have only come with a two fold ragtop as standard. I will try to find a photo of the drain tubes.

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This photo shows the drain tubes, top right, and the same on the left.

Wont embed....

https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/Germanlkmanx/DSC03754.jpg 

For this to have been altered it would have needed quite drastic surgery, more than fitting the Suburu lump even. :lol:

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If the front inner wings are original, the first year without the metal headlight wiring tubes was the 1960 model.
Does it have square push-button door handles?


Malc

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I'd love to help, but my wife won't let me date....
dws :):wink:

Problem is the car has been so chopped about its difficult to tell.

Doors got stolen when it was at the paint shop, along with w-lid and long bonnet!:evil:

Ive bought a pair for doors, and these have square handles. Think they are 63?

People call the 53/4 ovals with split rear zwitters, which loosley translates to transvestite. But I think this car quallifies for the name far more, as its a very confused soul. haha:lol: .

Beggining to wonder if ill ever be able to date it properly:o



My sort of humor, i like :lol:

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I have a '59 euro ragtop that I'm restoring. It has the firewall raingutter, going all the way across the top seam, with the
downspouts for the plastic drain tubes. These removable tubes pass through holes in the side shelves to drain under the engine. Your car doesn't appear to have either of these, so it's later than mine, which is February 1959.
The semaphores were kept on some euro bugs until 1962, so it can't be older than that.
The headlight steel wiring conduit/drain tubes stopped in 60, so it can't be older than that.
The door latch pressing/4-hole hinges are the same on my '59.
My best guess is that you've got a late '59 to '60 body there.

Mike B.