"Matt Dainty" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 19:42:55 +0000, ningi wrote:
>
> > Matt Dainty wrote:
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I've just become a proud owner of an early RHD '56 Oval, which runs and
> >> looks great, but has some small issues with the doors which I want to
> >> sort out.
> >>
> >> Basically, I can't seem to lock the passenger-side door, which doesn't
> >> have a key lock so I presume can only be locked by pushing the internal
> >> release handle forwards, but it just doesn't want to go in that
> >> direction.
> >>
> >> However, the driver-side door (with a key lock), *can* be locked by
> >> pushing the internal release handle forwards, such that I can end up
> >> locking myself out of the car if I leave the handle in the wrong
> >> position, the door key has no effect. (Only because of the lack of a
> >> locking passenger door can I get back into the car again, had me
> >> worried the first time it happened :-).
> >>
> >> I don't know what the correct behaviour is, but I'm guessing I should
> >> only be able to lock the driver-side door with a key, and only lock the
> >> passenger-side door using the internal release handle. Right?
> >>
> >> Before I try and remove the door panels and take a peek, how easy is
> >> this to fix? Is it just a case of swapping some bits over between the
> >> two doors, or do I need to get some specific left or right-hand parts
> >> first?
> >>
> >> Any suggestions gratefully received.
> >>
> >> Matt
> >
> > Matt,
> >
> > I think I might know what has happened.
> >
> > I have a '54 RHD beetle. The lock is on the passengers side, not the
> > drivers side. It sounds as though somebody might have moved the locking
> > handle from one side to the other.
> >
> > Normally you shut the drivers door, go round to the passengers side,
> > reach through and lock the drivers side door from the inside, then lock
> > the passengers side.
> >
> > So, I'd recommend swapping the door handles round.
> >
> > Pete
>
> Hi Pete,
>
> Thanks for the tip, I guess swapping the external door handles over would
> fix it, in that I end up with one lock on each door, but it sounds quite
> complicated for everyday use, having to hop between both sides of the car
> to lock/unlock one door! :-)
>
> If your Oval was LHD originally, might that explain why the key lock is on
> the passenger side if the doors were never converted as well? Or is this
> an idiosyncrasy of all early RHD Beetles?
>
> Thanks
>
> Matt

I have a 1955 Oval that I know is OEM LHD. The passenger door (right door)
locks by turning the inside lever CCW and the driver's door locks from the
outside with a key which stops the outside opening handle from engaging.

Howard


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