Porsche 356 Tool Kits
[Home] [Complete kits] [Tool bags] [Messko gauge] [Screwdrivers] [Wrenches] [Lug wrench] [Spark plug socket] [Pliers] [Pulley wrench] [Jack] [Miscellaneous] [Wanted and For Sale/Trade] [Tool sources] [Travel kits] [Hazet spare tire tool kits] [Links]

Important disclaimer: I am not an expert on 356 tools! I have collected information from multiple sources, including my own observations, and try to present it on this site in a coherent manner. There will always be variations and differences from what is presented here. This site should be considered a work in progress, and not a definitive statement on what is correct for 356 tool kits. Use this site at your own risk, and please tell me if you find errors or can contribute to the site.


Hazet "roundbox" toolkits/ Hazet Tourist toolkits

Beginning around 1950, Hazet (the producer of many of the individual 356 tool kit items) began producing a tool kit that was round in shape and fit onto the spare tire in the trunk of Volkswagen Beetles, Porsche 356, and other cars. There are two main varieties of this so-called "roundbox" toolkit: one has the VW symbol embossed on the cover, the other has a Hazet logo with the name "Tourist" beneath. I have been told by a knowledgeable tool enthusiast that the VW version was marketed through the VW dealer system, while the Tourist version was available through normal Hazet channels.

These kits are complementary to the original kit, although there is some overlap. They are generally of equivalent quality (notable exception - look at the generator pulley wrench).

Summary of versions:

There were a number of variations available. The most common type is the standard VW or Tourist version similar to the one pictured here. They originally had decals inside the lid to show the layout of the tools, but these decals weren't always accurate!

I have seen five variations of this basic kit. By examining the case by itself, you can determine which of these five variations it is. The earliest kit had no Phillips screwdriver (located between the handles of the small pliers), so there should be no clips in that location. The next variety has clips for holding the Phillips screwdriver. Around 1956, a third variety appeared: this one had a sprayed on flocking on the interior rather than a felt pad. The flocking covered the clips as well as the flat surface - the felt pad covered only the flat area. Around this time the 21mm/36mm box wrench replaced the 36mm box wrench, but the decal didn't reflect this difference immediately. Sometime around 1959 or 1960, a fourth wrench was added to the kit. The clip that holds the wrenches will have 4 spaces in this kind of kit. To make space, the medium screwdriver was moved to between the handles of the large pliers. I call this kit "deluxe" (my term only - not official!) because it had the most tools of this style box - 13. Shortly after this time, the T-handle socket was dropped from the kit, and the medium screwdriver was returned to its previous position.

It should be noted that there were variations in the tools also. Plating, part numbers, and sizes went through their own evolution as well.

This "truth table" should enable you to determine the version and approximate vintage of any standard VW or Tourist tool box:

  Phillips driver? lining # of wrenches T-handle?
earliest
(1951)
no felt 3 yes
early
(1952-1955)
yes felt 3 yes
middle
(1956-59?)
yes flock 3 yes
"deluxe"
(1959/60?)
yes flock 4 yes
late
(1961-?)
yes flock 4 no

(years shown are approximate and are for relative guidance only)

 

Detailed contents:

From a couple of sites on the internet, I was able to make the following chart of these tool kits:

  early ad 1951?-56 1952 1956-58? 1958 catalog 1959/60? 1961 1965?
Hazet
number
  VW observation/
description
Tourist 500E observation/
description
Tourist 2500E
observation
observation/
description
VW Type 3
(click photo for bigger image)                
450 7x8 wrench 1 1   1 1 1   1
450 7x9 wrench     1       1  
450 9x11 wrench               1
450 10x12 wrench 1 1   1 1 1 1  
450 10x14 wrench               1
600-10 wrench     1          
600-14 wrench 1 1 1 1 1      
605-13 wrench           1 1 1
605-14 wrench           1 1  
760 slip joint
pliers
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 760-3
764 sparkplug
socket
1 1 1 1 1 1 1  
2505 sparkplug
socket
              1
772/2 lug wrench 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
811 long screwdriver 150x8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 811-6
813 medium screwdriver 80x3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 813-2
814 Phillips stubby
40x6,
Nr. 5-10
  1   1 1 1 1 814-02
814 different size?               814-3
1850 pliers 1 1 1 1 1 1    
1850-2 pliers             1 1
561 36mm box wrench 1 1 1          
561 36x21 box wrench       1        
2561 36x21 box wrench         1 1 1  
527 14mm T
socket
1 1 1 1        
2527 14mm T
socket
        1 1    
2125 contact file               1
2567 oil plug tool               1
                 
total pieces   11 12 11 12 12 13 12 14
                 
source:   gutefahrt.com gutefahrt.com hem.wtnord.net gutefahrt.com gutefahrt.com   gutefahrt.com gutefahrt.com

circa 1955/56 "Tourist" toolkit:


Here's the case, closed, with "Hazet Tourist" on the cover.


Open, as it would sit in the spare tire.


Wrenches, in this case, Hazet 450 7mm x 8mm and 10mm x 12mm, and a 600 14mm.


Lugwrench, Hazet 772/2 with integral hubcap puller, same as in the Porsche 356 kit.


Three screwdrivers, made by Hazet. The large one is similar to the Jorg screwdrivers found in the 356 kits.


Sparkplug socket (left) and 14mm socket for fuel pump and carburetors (right).


From top to bottom, pliers (very similar in size and shape to those found in 356 kits), 36mm box wrench (same function as the stamped steel one in 356 kits), and slip joint pliers.

Other Varieties:

Hazet also made other versions that are quite different from those described above. Here's one that is very different:

It has the same small wrenches, T-handle, large pliers, lugwrench and sparkplug socket as the other kits, but also has a pair of 27mm wrenches (likely for front wheel bearings on early VW and Porsche 356), a large T-handle socket (oil pressure sender on a VW or Porsche 356?), and a feeler gauge!

This kit is probably better in a 356 since there is less overlap with the factory kit (which was significantly better than the VW kit of the era).

Just to confuse people, Hazet used the standard decal in it. The clips are completely different, so you would have a tough time organizing tools as suggested by the decal...


All site content, including  images, tables, and text is © 2007 by Eric Cherneff. Duplication in any form is prohibited without express permission. All rights reserved.

WANTED: photographs of tool kits and individual tools, and information about them if you can expand or correct the descriptions I have provided on these pages. Contact me: eric@356a.com Also: if you have old tools you want to sell, please tell me. I may be interested.

Please visit my Porsche 356 serial number and engine reference site: www.356a.com