European 66 with some odd features

ento · Post by **ento** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:49 pm

Ok I have a Euro 66 that Ive had for about 10 years. Im finally at the point to where I can start tearing it down and restoring it. I want to make it pretty correct exterior wise but Im finding that whats on it seems out of place. First and the only one I havent really figured out is it has a deck lid from an earlier model and doesnt have the flat license plate light and mount. Ive researched the European models and noticed that the standard has the older deck lids but mine is a deluxe. The deck lid on it appears original but I want to be sure. My birth certificate says it was a vw personal or pesonnel not sure what they meant. Any help about the Euro's would be great thanks
Jacob

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:49 pm

If it's a deluxe '66, it should have the wide light. There's really no exception to this.

Does it have the pushbutton handle?

ento · Post by **ento** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:35 pm

Yes but they are square like the 65's had. And the ignition is in the steering column not on the dash

ento · Post by **ento** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:41 pm

Thought there was a pic of the handles but no luck But ther is a pic of the Birth certificate

http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l18/nawk10/My%2066/

fatalifeaten · Post by **fatalifeaten** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:12 pm

Can you take some more pics of the rear end? Decklid, rear apron, and the decklid latching hardware. On an early rear apron, the catch for the decklid is integrated into the rear apron. '65 and on they're different.

The ignition on the column is common on euro cars, it was a popular aftermarket accessory over there and is pretty desirable in the states.

ento · Post by **ento** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:21 am

Ill take more pics after work. I didnt think the ignition was an aftermarket thing only cuz there is no extra holes in the dash and I cant see where another ingnition would have been.

ento · Post by **ento** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:35 am

Ok i added more pics. But im beginning to think it is the wrong deck lid. This car is just odd lol the motor is an early 67 the car is a early 66. So I guess the motor blew the first year they had it but who knows since the car wasnt shipped to a dealership.

fatalifeaten · Post by **fatalifeaten** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:26 pm

Yeah, that certainly looks to be an early decklid, and the apron looks like an earlier one that someone drilled the early style mount tab spot welds out and put a later mount on. Does it close? Doesn't look like it could, but *shrug*. FWIW, even 1965 decklids aren't like the one you have. that's a '58-'64 lid. '65 and '66 were the same, and though your car's an early '66 it shouldn't have that lid on it if it's supposed to be a deluxe.

Completely unsurprising to be honest. They're interchangeable and people can (and frequently do) interchange parts on them if they fit. Engines especially, and to a lesser extent sheet metal. If one of the previous owners wanted the car to look like an earlier model they could have made that mod deliberately, or it could have been hit and that's what they had available to fix it with, anything's possible.

So now your options are run what you've got and don't worry about it, or get the correct sheet metal and decklid in there and make it correct. It really depends on how correct you want the car to be.

ento · Post by **ento** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:51 am

Doesn't really close and noticed some drilled out holes. I havent noticed any welds but Im also starting to wonder if they replaced the rear apron. Once I pull the engine and strip it down Ill know for sure. And I assumed it should have the 65 66 deck lid but I was kinda holding out that since the berth certificate said vw personal that maybe it was special built and they used parts from earlier models like they did for the standards lol. But Im sure thats just wishful thinking.

losthillsguy · Post by **losthillsguy** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:38 pm

Hey
You either have a Deluxe or a Standard. In 1966 the Standard was designated 1200A. It's a one year only thing.

Here is how you can tell if it's a deluxe or standard (1200A)

You know the little switch low on the A pillar that operates the dome light. You won't have one or even a hole for it if you have a standard. There are many other ways to tell but this is a good one because it's part of the main body and can't be easily changed.

In this photo you can see the rectangular indentation that the 1200A has.

ento · Post by **ento** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:34 pm

You have the standard 66 rag top right? I think we have talked before on the samba. Im pretty sure its a deluxe but since the car was never shipped to a dealership and says it was vw personal instead of a destination name I dont know if it came with left over parts lol. Im leaning towards putting the normal 66 deck lid and taking off the 64 style one anyways just to get rid of the head ache lol

losthillsguy · Post by **losthillsguy** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:39 pm

Yes, that's me.

My bug is going in the paint shop next week. I've been waiting a year!

ento · Post by **ento** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:54 pm

Oooooo Cant wait to see pics. I would kill to find one like yours