Adapting Towel Bars onto a 73 super.

Superman74

So the subject gives you the jist. This thing is custom so I do not feel terrible about the perversion. I need to figure out how to adapt the pre 67 towel bars to a 73 super. The car just has the cal-look T bars now. I have been diggin for weeks now and there was only samba thread with broken links from 2003. I am hoping someone can guide me here.

allsidius · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:26 am Post subject:

It is impossible. The car will blow up. Or the wheels will fall off.
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1966 1300 RIPClick to view image

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iowegian · Last edited by iowegian on Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:47 am; edited 1 time in total

Mudpump · Samba Member Joined: May 11, 2007 Posts: 750

Superman74 · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:49 am Post subject:

Wow, those are some pretty passive aggressive replies there. I guess I should have asked what you wanted to talk about instead?

dirtkeeper · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:55 am Post subject:

hitest · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:25 am Post subject:

You can start by buying a set of the right pre '68 bumper brackets. You'll need to measure a pre- '68 car to get the target distance from the fenders correct. Then, it's really just a matter of attaching a portion of those brackets to the ones you've got. I don't know what a '73 super bracket looks like- but if they are the flat (non-absorbing type)- they should be pretty easy.

I used to see the later-to-earlier style bumper brackets at swap meets all the time. People are getting away from them as a style trend. I always think the look a little silly- as they adapt from tall to shorter (in height) with a taper on the top side. They may position the bumpe rat the right height overall that way- but the brackets I think would look better with an even taper.

Another idea for reference on what they look like is to do a gallery search under "Briz"- they often had tapered brackets on the late cars too.

Hope this helps.
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mountainkowboy · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:55 am Post subject:

I think the main problem will be that the curve of the front sheet metal is different than the earlier bugs. It could be done, but you would have to make your own brackets.
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Chuck in Socal
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71 Super Convertible...DD
78 Honda CB750K
06 Honda CR-V (wifes)
63 IH Scout 80 "Beater"

allsidius · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:50 am Post subject:

[email protected] · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:02 am Post subject:

hooray, 73 bumpers are not shock absorbing. Buy the pre 67 bumper, buy a couple of pieces of thick plate steel. Make the brackets to fit the bumper. Welding might come in handy. I put a metal cutting blade on my table saw, makes short work of cutting thick plate.

johnnypan

Superman74 · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:01 pm Post subject:

I apologize for taking the responses the wrong way. I fully understand how incorrect this will look to those educated on the VW.

This thread was not created for the VW puritan elites. Rather, it is intended to take a very molested and tattered 73 super (destined for the scrap yard) and create a custom VW.

The dash is not original. The wheels aren’t original, the doors were converted to one piece glass, there aren’t any bumpers, the seats aren't original either. I bought a new custom dash, spent 6K on the drive line, and converted back to original glass.

When I was homeless I would go to the VA hospital weekly to handle my ptsd and other issues. This car is my only creative outlet and helps keeps me grounded. My 6 and 8 year old nephews are having a blast helping me and we settled on non-stock bumpers. I just wanted to elicit some help in seeing my project through.

I know you all can appreciate that. One day I will be better positioned to restore rather than pervert a classic.

79SuperVert · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:23 pm Post subject:

Cusser · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:51 pm Post subject:

I've owned and worked on VWs for over 40 years, have subscribed to Hot VWs all those years. I have absolutely no idea what a "towel bar" is. Of course, didn't know what someone called an "Oh Shit" handle either, have enough issues trying to comprehend dizzy , mani, etc....that's usually reason enough for me to skip such posts...
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

19super73

NewTechnicIan · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:15 pm Post subject:

There are adapter brackets at MAM but I haven't used them so no guarantees!
Front
http://www.mamotorworks.com/VW/product/308033

Rear
http://www.mamotorworks.com/VW/product/bumper-adapter-brcketsearr_308027

Hope that helps. I'm planning on doing the same to mine when the right bumpers come along. Til then I have the stock ones!
Ian
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My 73 Standard build - It's painted! It drives under its own power! Time to get it wired and upholstered!

My 1679 Engine build.

60ragtop · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:17 pm Post subject:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

or you can just drill holes in the stock bumper and mount the towel bars.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

Glenn · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:18 pm Post subject:

79SuperVert · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:20 pm Post subject:


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