DOOR HANDLES

QuickKafer · Post by **QuickKafer** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 7:18 pm

Through my 9 years owning a 66, I've learned that there are 3 possible door handles that were used by Volkswagen in the production of our model year cars.

1.) Square Button handles (Were used from 64-to some time early in the production of the 66)
2.) Round Button handles where the flapper faces the rear of the car. (known as early 66 handles)
3.) Round Button handles where the flapper faces the front of the car. (known as late 66 and 1967 handles)

There are no 66 model reproduction handles being made. We (myself included) make the mistake of buying the ones that look like the 64-66 square button handles but with ugly cheap plastic keys.

Is anyone on this forum a resident expert on this subject. I did see another thread on this subject with pictures of some of the handles I described above.

My 66 was made in Sept 65 and is an early 66. What I'm not sure about and seeking your help with is, when did Volkswagen switch the handle designs? My aftermarket handles came with the car and didn't work worth a darn, and the replacement crap I bought afterward didn't work either.

I have worked with Gabriel, (Well known VW Key expert) and he doesn't know which one I need. He says he probably has a set of whatever I need, we just need to identify which ones I need.

Thanks!
Scott Faivre

Badman24 · Post by **Badman24** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:10 pm

1966 door handles were changed mid year in 1966 to the small round push button. If you have an early 66 you might have the square/rectangle push button. The square/rectangle started in 1960 ended 1966. In 1964 the mech was changed, but you cant tell from the outside. If I'm wrong please let me know. I'm not an expert and these cars have so many changes through the years. I would like to know when they changed also. However you can go to the samba site and put in 1966 and you can get original door handles both square and round.

QuickKafer · Post by **QuickKafer** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:22 pm

So you and I are in the same boat!

I've got a collection of door handles that I keep buying at Swapmeet in an effort to have one of every kind. This way I can try them all and eventually find one set that works!

Most of these 66 and 67 year only handles have a post that protrudes and interacts with the mechanism in the door. Most of the time these are broken off and are in need of repair.

Aye-ya-Aye! The saga (and headaches) continue!

Badman24 · Post by **Badman24** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:46 pm

I have an early square/rectangle (pass) and a round push on the drivers side. I hestitat to by aftermarket door handles because they are cheap. I need a pass round button.

h~moto · Post by **h~moto** » Thu Nov 06, 2014 8:54 pm

Progressive Refinements states that the shape of the door handle was modified and covered with Nirosta steel on March 1st 1966 (at 156 686 744) for the convertible and on May 2nd 1966 (at 116 809 564) for the sedan. I assume the "modified shape" is the change from square to round push buttons.

QuickKafer · Post by **QuickKafer** » Thu Nov 06, 2014 9:09 pm

h~moto wrote:Progressive Refinements states that the shape of the door handle was modified and covered with Nirosta steel on March 1st 1966 (at 156 686 744) for the convertible and on May 2nd 1966 (at 116 809 564) for the sedan. I assume the "modified shape" is the change from square to round push buttons.

That is some great information there! I assume progressive refinements is the source of that info? I've never heard of it before. What is it a book or a website?

h~moto · Post by **h~moto** » Thu Nov 06, 2014 9:33 pm

Progressive Refinements is a list put out by Volkswagen of "the most important modifications and improvements" of the type 1, 2 & 3.
It is available from a number of sources. TheSamba has it available as a free download at:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/man ... /index.php

QuickKafer · Post by **QuickKafer** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:47 pm

h~moto wrote:Progressive Refinements is a list put out by Volkswagen of "the most important modifications and improvements" of the type 1, 2 & 3.
It is available from a number of sources. TheSamba has it available as a free download at:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/man ... /index.php

Nice! I've learned something new already!

Scott

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:20 am

I'll chime in and say the square button handles were changed from pot metal to stainless steel sometime in '65. (I guess I'll have to look it up in Progressive Refinements), and these stainless handles will also fit earlier cars. They are much nicer than the pot metal replacements. (The hood handle was also changed to stainless.)

The stainless-wrapped handles are the ones you want. As for when they changed from square to round buttons, March 1, 1966 sounds about right.

Digger89L · Post by **Digger89L** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:06 pm

I don't know if this adds anything useful to the topic:

I have three 66 VWs.
One with VIN 116189XXX, (Aug. 65) one with VIN 116465XXX, (Dec. 65) and one with VIN 116489XXX (Dec. 65). All of these vehicles are unmolested originals, and all have the square button outer door handles, with key lock only on the driver side.

So ...if there was a mid-year change to round button outer door handles, it must have occurred in Jan. 1966 or later. What's considered 'mid-year' ...after the end of January, 1966??

QuickKafer · Post by **QuickKafer** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:12 pm

Digger,
are your door handles the cast pot metal or are they for stainless steel wrapped handles that were spoken about above?

Digger89L · Post by **Digger89L** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:29 pm

Stainless steel wrapped. See attached photos. This is the driver side door handle from a December 66 bug.

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:28 am

Hi.

Glad to see this topic. Please allow me to add a query related to the same.

I have the '67 handle (because I am a '67). Unfortunately, a key was brocken in the key slot & pushed further in. How can I get it out? (Interesting, I've had to use my vent window for 2 years to push the lock up.....)

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:38 am

The tumbler can be removed from the pushbutton and the broken key fished out. I haven't done it on a '67-specific handle, but normally, once the handle is disassembed and the pushbutton removed, the tumbler can be removed using a small jeweler's screwdriver.

gary haberman · Post by **gary haberman** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:32 pm

I recently bought a '66 with two different door handles. The passenger side handle is the round type; I have the key but the handle seems like it is falling apart and I'd like to replace it. The driver's side handle is the square type for which I do not have a key. The ignition key, which I do have, fits neither door. I took the handle off of the driver's side and it is the type as DIGG85L has (above post) which is disappointing because I bought a pair of square type handles from WW (which they say are for 64-66) but they are not for my car.
Anyway-anyone know where I can buy a pair of good handles that will fit my '66?
This door handle thing is truly frustrating!

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