TheSamba.com :: View topic - 68 bumper swap , wider rear fenders , euroblade ?

Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:19 pm

My 68 did not come with bumpers at all , I want to use pre-67 euro bumpers or t-bars , but i read on another post that using two front bumpers with the 3" wider rear fenders will fit better due to a less of a curve in the bumpers on front .... is this true .... ????

The bottom two pics are from the PO , bumpers are gone now .... but you see the rear problem ...

Anyone have pics of a front & rear bumper next to each other to compare width or curve radius ?

I will fabricate my own brackets to mount this

Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:43 pm

You are aware that's not a '68 rear decklid. They had no vents.

Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:11 pm

I wasnt aware , but is it relavent ?

Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:17 pm

Not relevant since you are not doing a stock style build. Anyways looks good so far.

And yes about the bumper, but you can always put your front bumper on the rear (if you didnt just toss it) and put it on the back to see how it looks/ fits.

Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:36 pm

The bottom two pics were from the PO , he trashed the bumpers , both are gone ....

Im assuming that the vented rear decklid is better than the stock one anyways , it should help cool my 2180 .

heck , id be surprised to find anything original on this car ,

Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:02 pm

I have A friend that has the wide fenders on his 71, and he put A front bumper on the back.. it fits, and works..... If you have money? Id git two bumpers (used) and cut 6" out of one and weld it into the middle of the other and git it re-chromed..

Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:15 am

[quote="bob67firebird428"]I wasnt aware (louvered deck lid) , but is it relavent ?[/quote]

The 68+ lids are all interchangeable. The 68 and 69 solid lids are fine for the non-doghouse fan and shroud, but the under-window slots alone would run the larger doghouse fan short of cooling air above about 50mph (I speak from experience here).

The 70 and 71 cars have the "2 slot" lids and the 72+ cars have the "4 slot" lids like yours.

Since you have a 2180 and I presume a doghouse fan/shroud setup, the louvered engine lid is almost essential.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:13 am

Aussiebug wrote:
The 68+ lids are all interchangeable. The 68 and 69 solid lids are fine for the non-doghouse fan and shroud, but the under-window slots alone would run the larger doghouse fan short of cooling air above about 50mph (I speak from experience here).

The 70 and 71 cars have the "2 slot" lids and the 72+ cars have the "4 slot" lids like yours.

Since you have a 2180 and I presume a doghouse fan/shroud setup, the louvered engine lid is almost essential.

:?:
That caught my attention....I have a '68 with a '72 1600 dualport in place of the original engine...but it has the original non-louvered lid.
I've had it and driven it a fair amount for a couple of years but wondering now if I'm doing it any harm...

Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:53 am

Aussiebug wrote: The 68 and 69 solid lids are fine for the non-doghouse fan and shroud, but the under-window slots alone would run the larger doghouse fan short of cooling air above about 50mph (I speak from experience here).

How did you arrive at this conclusion? Do you have any data on this? If this was the case wouldn't all 67 and down using the doghouse on bigger motors self destruct due to inadequate cooling? Not all of them run the vert deck lids. Not trying to sound argumentative just looking for information.

Back on topic to the original poster Glass action http://www.vwinnovations.com makes widened "bumpers" for the wide fenders but only in the 66 and down style. Granted they are glass as well so they offer zero protection in a fender bender.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:33 pm

I ordered 2 front euroblades from cip1 for a good price ... i will fabricate some brackets with my mig welder ...

Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:21 pm

I don't think those front signal lights are correct for 68 either. but, that's really not relevant.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:11 pm

partonkevin wrote: I don't think those front signal lights are correct for 68 either. but, that's really not relevant.
Godforbid you mention something that's "not relevant".

Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:24 am

By "relevent" , i meant , will it affect the bumpers , does this decklid curve different and do i need different bumpers ...

Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:30 am

I tried a front euro on my rear w/ 3" wider fenders and it wasn't wide enough and looked funny...

and yes, my decklid is not proper for a 73, as well as the oval, ragtop, suicide doors, dash, headlights, taillights, and the screw that holds the back seat frame in place..... :roll:

Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:18 am

Man, i can't beleive you used the wrong screw in your seat frame. People like you are always pushing the envelope....