TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:32 pm

Hi guys !

This is my first post here, and I am going to share my experience with my beetle...

First i got a 72 super beetle about a week ago. Havent been able to drive it cause there's a few issues that need to be taken care of before it can go back to the road. Overall the car is very solid the only thing that was missing was the bumpers...( which my girlfriend got for me as a b-day present) Today im working and i get a call from my neighbor that some guy that lives in my apartment complex hit my beetle with a ford van with that has a trailer hitch on the rear bumper...now it needs a new front apron...THANKS NEIGHBOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! :x

AY AY AY !!!!!!!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:43 pm

I hope this happened before you mounted the new bumpers! I feel your pain. Hopefully, Mr. Ford van will do the decent thing and pay for it if your insurance doesn't cover it.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:29 am

thanks,

Well the bumpers are on their way, but i was really looking forward to drive the car to a Volkswagen show this sunday. I wish I could upload the before and after pictures, but honestly I have no idea how to use this hahaha!

Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:42 am

Welcome to the Samba! Sorry to hear about your new bug. How bad is the damage?

Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:27 am

Thanks!. i have been reading a lot on this site before i signed in.

Well , the front apron is beyond repair. The front hood area is a little bent on the botton and something that is not complicated to repair.

it also damaged the drivers side fender a little bit. they were all original parts..the only part that had a little bit of bondo was the apron. It has been repainted but the metal was still very solid... Sucks to be me hehehe

Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:40 am

to post a picture, go to Gallery and upload it there and then us that picture link to post the picture here....

to the 72SB.....

I had a bent apron and fender too when I purchased mine. I purchased the replacement apron without the vent grill at the bottom and like the look much better with solid metal under the bumper, no more slots and the associated raw edges ...

the 72SB has a special hood too. make sure that gets fixed correctly. Don't let anyone short you on the metal work on that. aftermarket hoods for 72 do not exist, only the originals and one fiberglass that I would not recommend...

I feel your pain, good thing the van driver stopped, hopefully he is a stand up guy and will pay for the rework.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:41 am

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-111-805-591-G

Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:32 pm

Thanks, i hope everything goes well.

My apron doesnt have any vent holes, and i really like the look too. Also i tried to upload pictures from my ipad and it does not let me do it.

Also, today i took the beetle for a long drive, after i replaced the tires that they were completely rotted, bulging and making the car shake like crazy. I noted that the car has some kind of humming in the rear, ( have to check the rear drum torque and then the bearings) also the brakes have a big lag, so probably after I get to bleed the brakes correctly then im gonna test drive it again. Im thinking about changing all the wheel bearings all around to get rid of the problem at once....

And everytime i drive the beetle, the more i fall in love with it...

Guys im gonna try to upload the pictures soon

Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:33 pm

before

after

ouchhhh!!!!

Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:54 pm

Get a cooler and have your girlfriend sit on it in front of your car. Jk...I'd still go to the show and show it.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:10 pm

Tucky wrote: [img]

ouchhhh!!!!

Order this, and then take the car to a body shop.
http://www2.cip1.com/
VWC-111-805-591-G - FRONT APRON W/O LOUVERS - SUPER BEETLE 71-79 (SHIPPING CHARGES APPLY)

The fender, and the hood can be saved.
71-72 Super hoods are rare and expensive.
I think the apron is toast.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:29 pm

i already checked on ci1p , i already made an order on the 18th of this month but havent recieved any news on the order. it still processing. Does it usually take that long?

take care guys

Fri Apr 27, 2012 12:32 am

:cry: that was A pretty bug...... the apron is toast!!!! the rest can be fixed 8)

Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:34 am

:( I feel your pain, A guy, turns out is a County Sherrif's Dept Deputy, passed by my house towing a trailer and the trailer came loose running into my Ghia. I was in Afghanistan at the time. He paid for the whole thing, paint and body work but it was a bummer.

Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:36 am

nice neighbor. send him the bill, nice car too, too bad one of the nicest gets hit.
id take it to the most expensive shop in town. "classic restorations, or the like"

that front piece is expensive to replace.
same with rear
the bumpers can save you from that expense.
im doing a rear, now. lots of labor..... and part costs same as bumper
and dont bolt in.