Hi, the Blue 1953 Zwitter is now owned by me. I managed to rescue it before it was driven at all slammed like that. The guy who had it still had the original front beam and wheels which I managed to get from him. I also have its original spindles as he fitted a 5" narrowed beam and dropped spindles. Really annoyingly though, instead of getting some new narrowed track rods, he shortened the original split ones!!! Grr!!! So, now I have to find some as well as the rest of the bits.
The car is surprisingly solid and is unrestored/modified apart from the obvious slamming. It was found in a barn in France and was off the road since 1973 - so it hasn't been raped of it's Zwitter only bits and as far as I can see most are present. Only the rear window rubber bits are not present on the car but I did find them in a box of bits I got with the car - sadly they've had bits thrown on them and they are damaged. The car also doesn't have it's original engine (a later twin-port) so i'll be looking for a more period correct engine for it as a long term goal.
Things I need to look for as far as I can see so far (owned it for two weeks):
That engine - period (ish) correct....maybe do some kind of vintage speed thing with this?
Headlamps are non matching - one with 5 & 7 O'clock screws, one with 2 & 7 O'clock screws - can anyone tell me which is correct? (I believe 5 & 7?). I don't think the glasses in the lights are incorrect as well? No VW sign at the top.
Rear drum - 1 non-original fitted - sits further into the arch than the other side?
Rear wings - should they be ribbed on this car? If so they're not original to it. one is badly rusted - I believe the fronts are correct although again one is damaged and will need work.
2 x wiper blades (split era I think...arms are tiny thin round section ones).
As far as I can see so far the interior has everything present and is all correct, if showing wear of course!!
If anyone would be willing to help me out with some parts or advice on this car and taking it back to how it should be I'd appreciate it. This is my first real vintage VW and I sold my pride and joy 66 KG to buy it. I still own a 63 RHD UK bug and a US 63 Split bus.
So hopefully, this 'spoiled' split will be unspoiled at some point soon...
Matt
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