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Originally Posted by karlosdeville  Initially it debuted with a 3 spoke plain wheel very similar to what was offered on the Matador in India earlier, and shared with many german cars of the era. The standard version of the Beetle continued with this wheel well into the 60s (alongwith no fuel guage and a non synchro gearbox!) while the deluxe/export versions gained the "batwing" wheel, offered till 55, named as the spokes resembled a bats outstretched wings. In 56 came the off centre spokes, and in 60 came the recessed wheel with half horn ring. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM Karl
What you are referring in the first pics came in early 1940's and continued till 1950.
Only later 1954's started with the bat webbing type steering and continued till 1960.
And only later to 1960's came the one with half horn ring. which continued till late 1970's. |
Nope, you are wrong here, and Im positive. The 3 spoke wheel was offered from day one right upto the mid sixties (Ill confirm the date later) in the "standard" version, which was offered only in Grey, had painted bumpers and wheel caps, and instead of chrome strips on the side it had a red coachline painted. It also had a non synchro gearbox and no fuel guage. The Batwing wheel was introduced on the deluxe around 49, and was replaced in early 56 by the off centre spoked design (like that in my car). In early 1960 the depressed spoke design was introduced, with the half horn ring. Later in the 60s the ring dissapeared, only to re appear for a short while.
Here is factory literature to back me up.
The scans (numbered 1-8) date to 1938, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960 respectively.