Aircooled VW South Africa

Posted: **Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:08 am**

I've been back and forth on this with a few people, and there is no conclusive answer...

Is this or is this not a correct bug steering column and mount, and more importantly, is it correct for a Euro '67?

Thanks, N.

Posted: **Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:38 am**

I don't know much about Beetles, but the twin-stalk column was introduced some time mid-1970s.

Posted: **Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:40 am**

I'll confirm it for you! That looks like it is!

But then again I could just be yanking your chain.....

Posted: **Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:57 am**

Thanks Fig.

Will post a Wanted ad.

Cheers, N.

Posted: **Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:05 am**

Not a 60's column, like fig said.

Posted: **Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:12 am**

Shot.

Posted a Wanted ad...my chassis builder only has pre'64 stuff lying around...

N.

Posted: **Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:19 am**

Hi,

Mine is nothing at all like that [US-spec] in your photo.

I've just gotten off of the phone with another mate, who is
a little confused.

He too has a '67 and reckons although similiar, my column
is slightly different to his - original.

Here are a few photos of the setup.

Without doubt no holes have been closed in the dash. The
metal is perfectly clean under the bonnet/hood. What's there is what was there in '67, and what's on the column - OG or not - was there in '67.

The two buttons on the dash are lights and hazards.

Indicators/flashers and wipers work by way of the column.

I haven't had a chance to dig through my heap of parts to
find a Euro '68 column I got earlier this year - plus it's
the middle of the night here, but I do know from memory
that the ignition lock atleast is different, and the two
can't interchange from what I gather. The '68 has a small
lock mechanism.

TheSamba lists my bug as a FEB '67. It is a German sunroof,
if that helps.

Surely a FEB is not close enough to the '68 year to start using '687 parts?

A friend suggested the fuse box looked like it had been enlarged, but there's no sign of metal mods there either.

Here is the quote from my friend...

----------

It appears that the fuse box cut-out has been enlarged, and the box/module that houses plug in relays , etc has been fitted in the place of the standard unit.

That weld on the steering column tube is as good as the factory could turn out. - It may be that the top part of the tube is thicker walled than the bottom part to allow for extra strength for the locking mechanism.

The crumple coupling on the lower end of the steering shaft is a great improvement. - Keep it

The steering column itself along with the levers is very similar to the much later bugs, but as there are no obvious hacking and patchings on the dash metalwork other than at the fusebox surround, one can assume that the car had a similar setup as standard.
The ledgends on the levers belong to a later time than ' 67.
The steering wheel boss is definitely not genuine VW, unless its an accessory.

The ignition switch certainly looks like its quite late, and the wire connectors are definitively not run-off-the mill 65.

----------

Any clues?

Thanks, N.

Posted: **Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:39 pm**

You are quite right neither the fuse box or the collumn is 67
on 67s (when fitted with a hazard switch it was opposite to the ignition switch next to the ash tray
If you look closely you will see two threaded holes in the body closer to the edge of the dash. those are the original collumn mounts. collumns between 61 and 67 are identical except for coulour (black vs grey) the flicker handle is semi interchangeable in that post 62 they used the same castings but the dim and bright switch moved to the flicker handle in late 66 I have a few of those later handles which looks to be good.
A

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:15 am**

Hey Armand,

Thanks for the info.

Forcecooled and I have been talking up a storm over this...he's of the opinion that those rubber knobs are Bay' - to add to the story.

...and as we now know, the wiper switch was removed in place of the hazards.

Forcecooled reckons I should go with what's there as it's a mod'd car, and in a sense I agree, but the more 'classic' look still appeals to me, so I'm in two minds as to what to do.

His one point of the collapseable steering shaft also adds to it's pros.

What precisely is wrong with the fuse box? Wrong place? Too big?

I'm doing metalwork on the dash and body soon, so I'd prefer to change it back and close the holes now...it makes sense.

Hazards don't really sway me, so whether they're there or not is of no consequence.

How much do you want for a flicker handle, and any chance you have a column setup laying around somewhere?

The wiring is being totally redone, so all the extra crap can be removed then, and all returned to a more stock setup.

A fuse box and knobs/handles I can buy with my next WW order.

The only other query would be if I could fit the existing boss to an older column, as I can't - yet - afford my EMPI GT.

N.

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:21 am**

That's a cool steering wheel that you have there...

What make is it?

Will it be for sale in the near future?

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:22 am**

Shot Blitz'.

No idea. I haven't sat in my bug for 10 months now!

Not in the very near future...$$$.

When I get my 1000 USD for an EMPI GT...well then...

N.

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:19 pm**

It looks like a 70's era steering column. I have one exactly like it in my 1974 Beetle.

Posted: **Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:54 am**

Thanks Rift.

If I can find the right kit, I want to revert to a more classic look.

N.

Aircooled VW South Africa

Someone pleeease confirm this for me...

Someone pleeease confirm this for me...