Select-Motors.com Classic Car Restoration Newsletter Archives

A 1952 Volkswagen Split Window "gray market car" or striped "peoples car" and an absolutely option free 1967 Dodge D100.

This may at first seem contrary to what we do at Select Motor Company in Ball, Louisiana.

After all there are no custom chassis here or over 500 horsepower crate engines, exotic custom upholstery, custom paint or huge disc brake packages.

These two vehicles are of the simplest form.

Our customer, a Volkswagen collector, wanted to add a '52 Split Window to his VW collection.

He purchased a car originally sold in the German market.

Our Dodge customer's Dad, a college professor, had bought the '67 Dodge pickup brand new because it was the most practical vehicle for him at the time.

The Volkswagen's history was unknown except for the fact it was a German market car and who the last owner was.

It was the goal of its current owner to produce a restored '52 with all of the correct details the car would have had when new.

The Dodge owner wanted his D-100 to be restored to new condition, essentially reverse the damage nature had delivered the truck over the past 42 years, and add air condition.

A request was made for the add on air condition to be as inconspicuous as possible.

The parallels of these two vehicles; with their painted hub caps, Painted bumpers and the lack of radios or frills; strikes an intriguing note with people now used to vehicles with a dozen or more on board processors.

The Volkswagen has an aluminum dip stick to check the fuel level in the tank, no gauge.

The '52 tail lights were only reflectors, this car had an add on tail light, possibly added when it came across the pond.

Its blinkers were electro mechanical arms which extended when actuated on either side of the car.

The Dodge had plastic buttons plugged into holes on the stamped steel door panels, where the arm rest would have been if you ordered them.

The floor covering in the truck was, of course, a rubber mat.

The front suspension in the '67 Dodge was a straight axel and the body bushings used at the Dodge plant between the bed and the frame were wood blocks.

The finished products had paint and body quality extremely nicer than when this car and truck were new.

The quality of the build, the adherence to details and the simplicity of these vehicles hooked all who came near and put a big smile on the face of each owner.



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