Hazet Confusion

[Clamback]

I've been working on putting together Hazet spare tire tool kit for my VW Bug.
As I shop around for the wrenches, I notice that some are being advertised as a Big A Hazet and a Little a Hazet.

What do these "A"s mean? Do they correspond with a certain year?
Would they fit in the 1967 Hazet tool kit . . . or does it matter?

I also have a set of Hazet 760 pliers, but according to some of the "experts," they say I need a set of 760-3 pliers. Are the 760-3's newer? Older? Does it matter?

And don't get me started on finding the stubby screwdriver.

Or should I just get as close to possible to the "required" tools and just have fun with it?

Thanks for your thoughts . . .

 

[2oolhound]

As you've discovered you're dealing in a niche market. As it happened Hazet made specific tool kits for particular vehicles over the years and restorers of those cars try to outfit their projects to the "T". This has created a demand for tools that were original to those kits.

Like most tool makers Hazet changed their logo or just what was printed on their tool lines periodically and this is why little "a" and big "A" have some significance to the year of your vehicle. As a user of tools I couldn't give a rat's *** if a tool was upper case or lower case. If my set matched I'b be happy but that wouldn't even have much of a bearing on it for me.

I don't know the exact dates Hazet changed their logos but you can study their catalogs on line, I think most of them are available. Otherwise someone who knows this info will possibly chime in with these details and save you some research time for your 1967 set.

If I were in your shoes I'd probably grab what ever was close but always keep watching for the exact one and replace the make do tools as you found the right ones.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Clamback]

Thanks for the reply.
I thinks that's best best route - just get what's close and be on the look out for the "real" ones as I go.

And you're right - it is a niche market, which is sometimes frustrating, but when you get all the right tools together, it's bitchin'.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Clamback,

There were at least three different tourist tool kits that clipped onto the spare tire in VW & Porsches.

I have one from a VW that is 100% original, that I've had since 1980 (back in high school my best friend's dad bought it at a garage sale for $5) - if you want I can take some detailed pics of the tools in it.

there is a wealth of information on Hazet on the samba as well.

 

[Clamback]

Thanks, Army!
I've had the Hazet boxes with the blue flocking, but they were too early for my '67.
I have one now that's correct for the '67. The only thing it's missing is the test light that goes in the middle clip.
But I think that's the last year they did the spare tire kits. In '68 I VW went to a square box to put in the trunk.
I do know for a fact that that in the '73-'74 accessories catalogue VW switched from Hazet to Stahlwille with the VW Maintenance Tool Kit. My NOS on is pictured here.

If anyone can give me more info, that would be great . . . thanks for your responses.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

This link shows some of the Hazet tourist boxes:

http://www.356tools.com/roundbox.htm

Here is a great link for a variety of the VW ones - including advertisements!
http://www.busandcamper.com/hazet-roundbox-toolkits-history-original-adverts.html

I have three of the Hazet "Assistent" tool carts from the 1960s - not sure why I have three - one of them I use when I do car work for family and friends.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

This link shows some of the Hazet tourist boxes:

http://www.356tools.com/roundbox.htm

Here is a great link for a variety of the VW ones - including advertisements!
http://www.busandcamper.com/hazet-roundbox-toolkits-history-original-adverts.html

I have three of the Hazet "Assistent" tool carts from the 1960s - not sure why I have three - one of them I use when I do car work for family and friends.

Stahlwille (the will of steel-translated) as well as Gedore are fantastic tools - just relatively unknown on this side of the pond. Kukko pullers - are as well - lightyears ahead of their time.

The folks at Samstag.com carry a wide variety of European specialty tools and are great to deal with.

 

[mac_intosh]

Once I made an overview considering the catalogs:

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1275385.jpg

 

[Clamback]

Mac - That is a very impressive and useful overview . . . I think it may have solved the Big "A", little "a" mystery.

Army - I've been to 356 before and found it useful. But I reallyy liked the Bus & Camper piece . . . a very good read!

I also found that ratwell.com is pretty hip on VW tools.

But I really appreciate the help on this subject. Like I said before, sometimes it's maddening (and expensive) to find the right stuff while cobbling together tool kits. But it's cool when all the detective work falls all together . . . Perhaps it's easier to just buy the kits whole (I've done that too), but there's something about the hunt for just the right thing that's cool.

Case in point . . . . I have to find that damned test light now.

 

[Clamback]

Found the Test Light . . . So that kit is complete.

Does anyone know where I can pick up a clean 811-6 or 811-9r screwdriver?

Just picked up a sweet Hazet box with clean flocking . . . the screwdriver is all that's missing.