Michael,
The sliding side screens were standard if you bought the optional
hardtop. The sliding side screens were standard on Bugeyes after car
AN5-34558(March 1960). As you say, probably most cars sent to the U.S.
had the sliding side screens and the heater. My car is AN5-L/34172 (on
the assembly line 26 February to 2 March and shipped on 7 March) but my
Heritage certificate says it was shipped with sliding sidescreens and a
heater. I'm quoting from the OS&M "bible".
Mike MacLean-60 Sprite
Michael Lupynec wrote:
> First 1000 bugs had black metal frame sidecurtains with a
> cloth/PVC cover and heat sealed vinyl windows. Remaining 48,500
> bugs had same but with a snap opening at the rear. Early in 1959 a
> white version became available to match white tops.
>
> >From later in 58 the well known AFWSRSP (Aluminum Frame
> "Weathershields" Single Rear Slider "Perspex") type was introduced
> as an option. I would guess that like the 'optional' heater these
> more practical but optional slider curtains were mostly always the
> ones fitted to North American exports. Damn yanks - always pushing
> Brit engineering to the limits. BTW that's what killed the Brit
> M/C Industry - having to stuff 750 and 850 cc motors into designs
> never meant to take more than 500cc. It certainly couldn't have
> been the fault of "Lucas" - afterall, he's now making pacemakers.
>
> After the bug a double slider was available until the advent of
> the roll up side glass.
>
> And after that it was sort of curtains for the whole LBC Industry.
> I am reading from the Bible.
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