WolfsburgWest Panels Received

[vwnut1]

[wcfvw69]

[itjustbugsme2]

Curious! I know we've discussed "Donor" car/parts can be better, easier to install then the replacement panels available but (as noted) often it's difficult and time consuming (especially for us "East Coast" buggers) to track down.......with that understood and accepted. I was wondering:

Q. Do they - does anyone offer a "complete" rear quarter panel section (replacement section) which includes the entire rear inner wheel well area?

I've seen - watched a number of videos where the entire rear section is replaced but it doesn't state whether this section is from a "Donor" or a purchased section.

Just wandering.

Later.

[vwnut1]

Yes, check out Mid America Motorworks. They sell brand new left/right quarter steel panels that retail for around $650 for each side. They also sell brand new front quarter panels for $350.

http://www.mamotorworks.com/VW/newsearch.aspx?S=quarter%20panel&Y=&G=&C=
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1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[itjustbugsme2]

Thanks. I did check them out but it appears that they only have them for 1968 and up:

Quarter Panel, 1968-1977 LH Rear Beetle Sedan

Now as we know many parts for many years may fit but with the cost being a little up there would hate to take the chance. I also found Heritage VW over seas sells them but have discontinued the right side, don't know why.

My thoughts were to simply purchase the entire section, cut out the wheel well section and weld it in........but again, the $650.00 cost would somewhat prohibit this as a good idea.....once again: Leads to the best choice is a good "Donor". Thanks again.

[vwnut1]

I saw that, but I think that the inside wheel section would fit an earlier Beetle, but I am not 100% sure. It would be an expensive panel to just cut out and use the inner wheel section though.

Would this work for you? $80 plus shipping from WW;

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111809091
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1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[itjustbugsme2]

You know I was all set to order that panel but the rep at Wolfsburg talked me out of it....he actually said they don't fit that well....so (as noted in the pictures of my rebuild) I simply ordered the section that has the mount and shock tower portion..and (as noted) I had to cut, pound, mold that into place. It actually fits well at this point and after welding, grinding should look and hold great. It's the outer - fender attachment area that I need to do some work on (damage - missing bolt/holes) and I thought if I could get a piece that took care of the entire area it would be easier.....but this is going to work.

The other concern is when you look on the inside, after the replacement inner well section is intact, you have a portion open - where you see the new panel and the existing wheel well metal....I can work with that but again just some more metal work.

[wcfvw69]

Search the classifieds on this site for NOS repair sheet metal. I've seen that section for sale in there recently for a heck of a lot less than $650. You can also see folks parting out bugs on the west coast. Often times, they'll cut what you need and ship it via truck or Greyhound bus.
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Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
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[splitjunkie]

[splitjunkie]

The quality of sheet metal repair panels is much higher for splits and ovals than it is for later cars. We have KlassicFab, Virtanen and Wolf Parts. All made by small operations who make their own tooling and also involves some hand forming. They are a lot more expensive that the wrinkly tin foil panels with incorrect details made in Denmark and Brazil but they take a lot less time to fit because they are actually accurately made to begin with and in some cases are actually thicker than the original parts so they are well worth the extra cost. Hopefully as time goes on, these and other vendors will start making quality parts for the later VWs.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[itjustbugsme2]

Appreciate all the comments replies on this post. It truly helps when you get comments and recommendations and opinions from others. Allow me to share a quick story:

As you know I am "overlapping" the metal on this side of the Bug...thought I'd get a better support for the body mount area.

Others suggested that I'd get a better fit with a "butt weld" and the support would be there.

I agree on the better fit...but again thought the "butt weld" would not be strong enough.

So...I did a little research and reached out to other who do the fabrication for a living.

As you know when you email some of these guys your lucky to get an email response....Well, here's a company that not only emailed me back with some useful information....but to my surprise I got a phone call and had a great conversation on the repair being done.

I can't say enough about these guys so let me share their information with you:

Kiddy's Classics
Auto Restoration Service
Address: 3495 NE Candice Ave, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Phone:(772) 334-2041

Oh., by the way......the other side of my Bug...when I repair that section...its "Butt Weld" all the way.

Happy New Year.

[itjustbugsme2]

Inner Rear Wheel Wells coming along....other side should go a little easier...at least I hope............this side almost ready to hit with the mig. Had to cut the panels....but trying to use whatever panel pieces I can.

Cutting out all the bad I can.

[TinCanFab]

[Lidpainter]

[itjustbugsme2]

"Brain Freeze". Need a little assistance. If you are following my post you know that I am doing somewhat of a complete rebuild/repair of both rear inner wheel well sections on my "65".

This is the section which I am going to repair (hope I can upload the pics, its the one showing the rusted, cut out, open area just behind the door). I ordered and just received (WolfsburgWest) the "Heater Channel End Cap" (pic uploaded) replacement panel which I believe is the piece I need….but having a little “Brain Freeze” as to exactly how this fits…….
Inside ?
Outside?
What exactly do I need to cut out?
Another ?...what is the attached thread for?

[offshores]

It goes on the outside of the cross member and the rear luggage tray. The threaded post is for the lower fender mount.
I have a 65 with the body on a dolly if you need a close up pic or 10.

[itjustbugsme2]

Man if you can send me the pic it would explain it allot better. I'm still a little confused as to where I need to cut out old (what's left) and tack this piece in....would really appreciate a photo...many thanks.

[offshores]

Here are some pics. Hope they help and let me know if you need others. You may need to replace your cross members too if there’s not much left. Will be easier if you remove the body.

Good info here if you haven’t seen it yet:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4233191

[itjustbugsme2]

Well as the saying goes; "A picture is worth a thousand words" and these truly help out.

As for "removing the body", no doubt allot - most of this work would be much easier and a better quality job if one removes the body but as I stated; this is a "back yard" - "shade tree mechanic" winter project type project. My goal is to get this bug back on the street come this spring as she has been, mechanically she is pretty sound and the rest her seems fairly well intact........now down the road if I chose I may do the complete "body off" restoration. I like to drive my "classics" see how they operate, what else goes wrong and if I decide to keep them before getting too deep into them. I recall I did a 1974 Mercury Comet....did it at my friends shop....we went all the way with her and she took over 5 years to complete.....since we don't do this as a living.....so again, many thanks for the pics and the other website and let's see what I can get done with what I am working with, both facility, tools and time. Later

[itjustbugsme2]

Hey one more....if I may request: Can you take and send me a pic of a distant view....sort of showing me a larger pic of the section of your bug. thanks.