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Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:40 pm

Samba friends,

As some of you know, I've been looking for a correct '67 drivers fender. I'm emailing back and forth with the seller, but wanted a second opinion. Are these fenders true German?

The hole on the top being round, and placement of the horn grill tells me that they are in fact the real deal.

What's your take?

Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:41 pm

YES! Went thru the same thing looking for a replacement for my '67. I got schooled and learned a lot.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:04 pm

veedubcrazy wrote: YES! Went thru the same thing looking for a replacement for my '67. I got schooled and learned a lot.

Yes, as in these are the real deal? What tells you they are correct?

Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:07 pm

They have to be German Eric the turn signal hole is round.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:07 pm

6Kabrio7 wrote: They have to be German Eric the turn signal hole is round.

Any other giveaways? I need to be sure.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:35 pm

bottomof headlight bucket detail

turn lamp cut out

Its the detail that tells ya its german...the one oblong hole on the turnsignal cut out,the quality and fit of the headlight retainer tabs...repops didnt take the time to stamp the headlight bucket with the flat spots to aide drainage..

Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:35 pm

The horn grills appear to be the correct distance away from the edge.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:47 pm

johnnypan wrote:

bottomof headlight bucket detail

turn lamp cut out

Its the detail that tells ya its german...the one oblong hole on the turnsignal cut out,the quality and fit of the headlight retainer tabs...repops didnt take the time to stamp the headlight bucket with the flat spots to aide drainage..

So... Looks like these are German.. :)

Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:58 pm

The horn grille holes pass the "two-finger" test. The distance from the opening of the horn grille to the inner edge of the fender is the thickness of holding two fingers against the face of the fender to the inner edge. Aftermarkets have a much bigger gap. Also, run your fingers under the lip of the fender well. German fenders create a pronounced under-wrap of the outer fender well; creating a deep J trough on the underside that can trap dirt and debris. They have weep holes drilled in the lower areas of the fender lip to allow water to escape. Cheap aftermarkets have a very shallow curl under the edge of the wheel wells and no weep holes.

Still, the "two-finger" test for the horn grille is the easiest to spot :wink:

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:05 pm

67 Florida Deluxe wrote: The horn grille holes pass the "two-finger" test. The distance from the opening of the horn grille to the inner edge of the fender is the thickness of holding two fingers against the face of the fender to the inner edge. Aftermarkets have a much bigger gap. Also, run your fingers under the lip of the fender well. German fenders create a pronounced under-wrap of the outer fender well; creating a deep J trough on the underside that can trap dirt and debris. They have weep holes drilled in the lower areas of the fender lip to allow water to escape. Cheap aftermarkets have a very shallow curl under the edge of the wheel wells and no weep holes.

Still, the "two-finger" test for the horn grille is the easiest to spot :wink:

So from a quick visual glance, think I'm good to go?

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:07 pm

Sorry for all the questions! I just want to make sure I don't drive 100 miles to get this wrong.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:07 pm

erokCom wrote: So from a quick visual glance, think I'm good to go?

Is there any amount of reassurance that will answer your question? Everyone has answered your question but you just keep asking it....

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:10 pm

VDubTech wrote: erokCom wrote: So from a quick visual glance, think I'm good to go?

Is there any amount of reassurance that will answer your question? Everyone has answered your question but you just keep asking it....

Ha.. I guess we're good.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:13 pm

NO!! These are WRONG! Give me the contact information for the seller. I will be sure to buy them and get them off the market.

(Then turn around and sell them for a BIG profit, as they ARE German fenders :twisted: )

Or, you can simpy take the sage advice of those in the know and BUY THEM ALREADY!! :)

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:14 pm

Done. Purchased.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:15 pm

erokCom wrote: Done. Purchased.

=D>

Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:07 pm

67 Florida Deluxe wrote: The horn grille holes pass the "two-finger" test. The distance from the opening of the horn grille to the inner edge of the fender is the thickness of holding two fingers against the face of the fender to the inner edge. Aftermarkets have a much bigger gap. Also, run your fingers under the lip of the fender well. German fenders create a pronounced under-wrap of the outer fender well; creating a deep J trough on the underside that can trap dirt and debris. They have weep holes drilled in the lower areas of the fender lip to allow water to escape. Cheap aftermarkets have a very shallow curl under the edge of the wheel wells and no weep holes.

Still, the "two-finger" test for the horn grille is the easiest to spot :wink:

The two finger test only tells you it was a replacement fender, and not necessarily a cheap aftermarket reproduction. The horns grilles weren't moved by some drunk aftermarket die maker :lol:
VW themselves moved them for the 68-72 Econo or Standard Beetle. They needed a front fender to adapt the old bumpers to the new front apron.

When you went to the dealer in the '70's and beyond and they had ran out of the original replacement supply of US only '67 fenders, they didn't go back and make more, they sold you these fenders. They bolted on and fit as a replacement for US 67's, but they were made as replacement fenders for the Econo or Standard Beetles which had a longer model run and thus more cars that needed them.
This is the same reason the aftermarket reproduces this fender (cheaply) and not the US only '67 fender, because there was a much larger Worldwide demand for the 68-72 fender.

So, if you have one of these Genuine VW replacement fenders from the 70's, it may be worth just having the hole moved rather that search the world for an original US version. Just sayin'.

Here is an original European '72 Econo/Standard Beetle with the original front fenders as an example...

Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:55 am

erokCom wrote: Sorry for all the questions! I just want to make sure I don't drive 100 miles to get this wrong.

100 miles? up I 80?...Ill pick them up for ya :wink: ...that rear bumper is german as well,offer a fifty dollar bill and flip it for your gas money.

dont pay too much for those fenders...that right one looks a little lumpy

Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:20 pm

Thanks for the advice guys!

Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:16 pm

Update! I got them both for $50. :)