New to Trikes, what did I buy?

OK, so I have been wanting a project, can't really afford much, and fitting a car in the garage is tight, so Why not a Trike?

So I found this on on Craigslist, just drove up and bought it. It has been sitting for some time, and does not currently run. I think it is a 1963, with a similar vintage VW 1200 cc. It is complete, but obviously needs work.

I have researched it, and can get the title (did not come with one, but I do trust the guy that he will help if needed and will take the trike back if the title becomes problematic). But I need the Make, along with the VIN, to get the title. I cannot find any manufacturer label or identification at all. Just a CA VIN.

Any idea who might have made this trike? Hoping I made a good purchase, seemed like it at the time.

I'm sorry, I can't help on this, but I do want to welcome you to Trike Talk! :wave4:

Probably not a commercially bought trike.*
I have never seen a store bought without any body work and/or no rear suspension. Not many folks out there that would buy a scooter with no comforts at all.
Unusual to see a vw hard tail.
Is/was a fun lightweight scooter.*

If it has an assigned vin you will have to work backwards from there. Go to/call wherever it was last registered.*

Yep, as Snu stated, I don't think it was a production trike. Looks more like a home built unit.

Somewhere on the trike, usually on the neck, there should be a VIN number of some kind. Hopefully it had been titled and registered in the history of the trike.

Welcome aboard!

I have to agree with the rest of the guys, most likely homebuilt. Definitely the first hard tail Vee Dub I've ever seen

There are several online sources that can help you "decode" the numbers off the engine and transaxle cases to get you more info on those. As for the VIN, I'd start with the CA dept of motor vehicles (or whatever it's called out there :D) and see if they can help decipher it. It's most likely too old for an automated search of their records, so be prepared for a lengthy wait and fees of some sort.

Good luck and keep us posted! It'll be interesting to see how your project goes!

Welcome to the gang ... There is a plethora of info about VW trikes here ... You gotta problem, you can probably find an answer here.

1. How many digits in the VIN?
2. Can you share the first 3 digits with us - they identify the origin of the VIN assignment?

With a rigid rear suspension and a rigid front suspension as well (solid downtubes I notice), that frame would highly likely have been made in a garage as a one-off. As one who spent younger years riding some Harley rigid frames, I can tell you yours will be a totally unpleasant and possible nearly uncontrollable ride. As a trike frame manufacturer, I also question the safety of some of the critical points on the frame (neck gusset is questionable, rear axle mount weldments are questionable to me, but there is not a good photo of them).

I've been deep into VW trikes for nearly fifty years (built many of them before Stires and WilMac ever started their businesses). Building since when I could order new chrome springers and girders made to my specifications for $100 each shipped to my door! I've never ever seen a manufactured rigid frame as you have.

Now "that's" cool!! :pepper:
I'd love to ride "that" myself..................

Ronnie