Just when you thought most VW parts were interchangeable, some install will completely reminds you that they are not. I purchased a nice set of chromed peanut turning signal from a VW show for my 1958 project. Although the Hella lenses were pretty cracked up, the chrome was in great shape. I purchased it from one of those guys that have everything setup completely and nicely with a yellow or green price tag strapped to it. I am sure those type swappers exist in every Volks show across America. Presentation = more money. :-) This also translate into an easy installation process. Fortunately, I bumped into the #1 price negotiator on the East coast, my friend Bob. He talked the vendor down from $75 to $50 dollars because of the cracky Lenses.
So, I took them back to my lab, replaced the lenses with my original non-cracked pair and tried to assemble them to my car. The bolts were too short and after one hour of trying to push the signal down so the screw could catch underneath the fender, I stood up and check my original turn signal and I noticed the post were about an 1/8 of an inch longer. So, I swapped them out and mounted the signals. At that time I noticed the wire connector was different as well. The older one had a screw in wire apparatus vs the 1963 version that had a prong for clipping. So, basically I purchased the chrome for $50. I already had the seals and plastic.
The moral of the story is, make sure you review things carefully before purchasing things from at swap meets. What you think you are about purchase, might not be what you need. I think swap vendors start as people who purchased a whole bunch of parts the thought they needed, but found out it was not applicable. So, if you never want to have a surplus of parts that do not work for you, make sure you select carefully. Ask question and cross reference with people in the Auto Show, their cars are already done.
