Oldest Beetle

[Terry Phillips]

This might be a silly question but for interest sake does any one know what the oldest Beetle is in SA or which is the oldest one you know of.

[flatfourfan]

There's one that always pops up at the shows in Pta, I think it's a 49.

[dixtoy]

I know Werner of air cooled wonders has n '50

[Pine]

There is a dentist in Kimberley who had the second oldest Beetle in SA. The first one was built in Uitenhage in '51, but there were a few private imports prior to that -

[Pine]

I posted these pics in 2007: http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... est#p33307

Seen at the National A/C VW Show today, a 1950 LHD Split Screen, due for a full restoration soon (it currently has the wrong tail lights, indicator lenses etc). The one Werner Alke has in his collection, was built 3 months before this one:



Note the rare radio an very early steering wheel





Guarding against exporters, one very happy Border Collie!

[Terry Phillips]

I like the steering wheel it reminds me of the old Leyland Albions, est value R---- ?
I am seeing right has it got a one piece door window or is it just me,also like the cubbie ? holes one each side.

[flatfourfan]

That's the one, I dunno why I always thought that it was a 49..........still nice.

Is the radio correct though as I was under the impression that this one is a standard?

[Merlin]

Terry,

For reference, here's a barndoor (bus) steering wheel from that period. See the family resemblance?



FFF,

That is a Standard. I'm not that much of a fundi on early bugs, but I don't think Standards came with a radio, default.

[flatfourfan]

Terry,
FFF,
That is a Standard. I'm not that much of a fundi on early bugs, but I don't think Standards came with a radio, default.

ditto on that, standards pretty much came out with nothing.

[fig]

I think the 50 pictured above (I can't see the pics) is Wernher's one and the oldest in SA. I was also told it was a 49 when I first saw it.

Werner Alker also has Andrew Scogings's old 1950 deluxe Beetle, which is beautifully restored.

[vw59beetle]

All I know is that this is the oldest Beetle to ever do a lap around Kaylami and beating all 60 Porsches on that lap( Ok there was a pace car in front)



Terry. The early Splits (not the zwitter) has a one piece window. Not all the pics in the posts above are from the same car. You are correct that the Standard would not have the radio, but the deluxe with the chrome would have a radio as an accessory. We would never really know who has the oldest in SA or where it might hide, but it is "sort of" correct that the first Beetle built in SA was August 1951. But if you want to know the truth read this story that John Lemon wrote http://www.aircooledwonders.com/feature ... not-first/



The oldest one I've been told is the one in Uitenhage Museum ( December 1949) I know it's not a 100% original car and I might also be wrong that it's the oldest.
My friend Werner Alker owns the the next oldest one ( January 1950) this car is the most original one I know of.



Then the next oldest one i know of belongs to Ferdi Radel ( April or May 1950. ) This car is stripped and awaiting restoration.

The 4th oldest one that I know of in SA, is a September 1950 and I believe the oldest one that is on the road. Here is Butzi Porsche driving in the back seat.



Wernher

[Pine]

Oldest Beetle pic here http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... le#p221206

[Pine]

Terry,

For reference, here's a barndoor (bus) steering wheel from that period. See the family resemblance?



FFF,

That is a Standard. I'm not that much of a fundi on early bugs, but I don't think Standards came with a radio, default.

Kubelwagen

[Terry Phillips]

Confirm if you had a head on collision you ended up with a hole in your chest,maybe why they changed to a deep dish steering wheel.

[Tony Z]

Oom Attie (presenter at the George show) restored a 49 which he found on a farm with bullet holes and a banged in roof from kids jumping on it. This car is apparently #3 beetle to make it to SA.