what is so special about the 58/59?

[icebeetle]

hi guys, new 58 owner here from iceland

tell me, what is so special about the 58's and 59´s

[vwadam]

If you want extreme details, read the many pages of the 1958-1959 thread on the samba. It's a sticky in the 58-67 Beetle forum.

For me, it's the mix of the new and old. I prefer the big rear window but small side window cars. It just looks balanced and symmetrical to me. However they still retain the smaller snowflake tail lights and h-aprons. I like the look of the 58+ dash but without a fuel gauge and the earlier style wheel (unlike the dished 1960+) and the 58-59s have a two year only interior style, which if you ask me is the nicest looking interior panels that the Beetle ever had.

[agave58]

Because Split windows suck, Ovals are overrated, and anything after 58/59 doesn't count... Pretty much what Adam commented on. The wonderful dash, snowflake tail lights, H apron, 4 tab hood, steering wheel, drain tubes, door handles, things that keep it related to the Oval area, but better...

[Stale Air]

Ditto to everything that was said above.
Along with 58-59 beetles being the best years Vw ever produced, but also in my opinion, with American cars those were some of the best years also. Its when the "big finned" American cars were at their greatest. Look at the 59 Caddy, or the 58 Plymouth. Some great looking cars. Everything changed in 1960. Gone where the fins, and out came the rounded corners.
And in the beetle, gone were the awesome 2 year only interiors.

[raularrese]

Who sells the best looking and most correct 59 interior mine is not correct and would like to replace thanks

[Stale Air]

May 5, 2012 20:13:12 GMT -5 raularrese said:

Who sells the best looking and most correct 59 interior mine is not correct and would like to replace thanks

In my opinion, nobody. Lenny at west coast is really the only place, and I think his stuff is overpriced, and incorrect. What I would do is hunt down some original panels, and have the seat covers made from scratch. Thats what I did, and am happy with the outcome.

[raularrese]

thanks for reply , but what is incorrect in his interiror ?? is it something that can be corrected???

[Stale Air]

May 6, 2012 16:06:17 GMT -5 raularrese said:

thanks for reply , but what is incorrect in his interior ?? is it something that can be corrected???

I'm not sure what color your interior is supposed to be, but if its the grey/green, then his color is way off inmo. If its either of the other two, then his colors are not that bad. My biggest gripe, is his door panels. Originals are heat seamed on the pleats, and his are not, they are sewn. Stands out like a sore thumb to me.
I was not impressed with the quality of the material he used on the seat covers either.
And with all of the above you get to pay a mere $1400.

Edit: Here is a little more info from another thread.

58-59enthusiasts.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=41

[raularrese]

wow , thats allot $$$$$$$$ thanks