Mohsin bhai is right,
The "W- Decklid", one of the standard VW circles slang term is used to describe the above type of engine covers/bonnet. The last ones were seen on ovals which disappeared come the 1958 year model in August 1957.
Its my own personal observation that the split W differs in a few subtle ways from the oval items. You have to see it in person to notice. No wonder an original split item fetches :-$ 4 to 600 brit pounds :-$ readily in the international circles.
Id hazard a guess and say with surety the one on the maroon car is an original since it looks correct all the way. May well be off an oval, remember Nasir bhais story of how an oval was hacked up just before it could have been saved??
I had a W decklid hand crafted using a 1966 item as a starting point. We were unable to locate a pre 1964 item to use as a more suitable starting point since that has the correct T handle lock. The denter pulled it off as he had a genuine 1956 oval to copy it off from in front of him. Nice work and I was :D, :*, (H)!
Just for the sake of discussion here, 1958 to 1963 decklids are known as "semi-Ws" in VW speak and retain the smaller "popes nose" licence plate light. 1964 saw a bigger light housing and lost most of the charm the earlier Bugs had.
Just a couple of weeks ago located a genuine pristine Semi-W for my project 59 bug. :* Am I a happy camper???
