1959 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The '59 has come back from the shop, weeks ago actually. The 1600 Dual Port is in place of the stock 1200. Had to adjust the clutch and play around with the carburetor. After some tinkering, I ordered a carburetor rebuild kit, oil pump, and the engine seal to keep the motor a little cooler. At the moment, the cabr. is out of the car and I have am about to begin the rebuild. Wish me luck, this is my first venture of rebuilding one, so let's hope she runs afterwards LOL!!

UPDATE: 6/20/07 At the moment my '59 is in the shop being converted to a 12 volt charging system (goodbye 6 volt!!), and she's getting the 1600cc motor transplanted out of my '72 Super Beetle to replace the stock (and very slow) 1200cc 36hp motor. I'll keep you all updated. Hopefully I'll have her back by weekend.

Here's my newest addition to my V-Dub collection. I bought this '59 from a man who has quite a collection of old Volkswagens. He ran out of room in his garage, so the '59 had to go. Luckily I came across this jewel before it was snatched up.

My '59 and I.(www.myspace.com/n2vdubz)

got Fweem? What is Fweem you ask?

Do you Fweem??

The club I belong to, Vacationland Volkswagen Association.

Bling! Front shot showin' off the classic curves and chrome

Side shot

3/4 shot

Beautiful rear, very sexy

My '59 sitting next to the former owners '56 Oval

Side profile

At one time, the '59 resided in Ohio

A quick interior shot, the Beetle was locked when I took these pictures

The original 36HP 1200cc motor. A washing machine puts out more torque than this baby does.... soon to be replaced by a 1600cc motor!

Semaphore turn signals!!

Speaking of Semaphore turn signals, here was an interesting little bit of information I found on another site. Keep in mind that my Beetle is in fact a '59.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEMAPHORES by Jeff Slater

In an e-mail dated 11/19/99, Jeff wrote: "... Semaphores are electric solenoid operated lifted and lighted arms that include a plastic lens from which shines a 6 volt 3 watt light bulb. They do not blink or go up-and-down (as though trying to fly). They simply raise to a 90 degree angle from the body of the car and light up. Most semaphores on VW beetle sedans were mounted between the door window and the rear side window in the so-called "B" pillar. The switch for operating the semaphores was initially mounted in the upper-middle of the dash (split windows) then eventually moved to a column-mounted switch similar to turnsignal switches of current vehicles. S4s (semaphores) were used from 1938 until August 1955 in cars destined for North America. A change in U.S. laws forced VW to introduce "bullet" blinkers in the front fenders as of June 1955 with corresponding blinking taillights on the rear fenders. In Europe, semaphores ("winkers" - pronounced "vinkers", in German) continued in cars until the end of August 1961 except for some limited production of "standard" models that utilized the remainder of inventory of S4s until depleted. That is a very brief history. There is much more as I have determined which brand and type of S4 is appropriate for any year of VW..."

I was told by the previous owner that this was in fact a European spec Beetle, which means it had to have been shipped to the States sometime in it's 47 years. The only thing that I find sort of odd is the fact the car is left hand drive, and not right hand drive (Unless cars in Germany are left hand drive also and I just don't know it...). The owners manual that I received with the Beetle is written in German, and I can't understand a damn thing it says hehe!!