Some advice please - Driver vs. Passenger fender arch

[58bluebug]

I have a 58 beetle which is stunning it's the first beetle I've owned allthough the wait was worth it,just one thing if someone could advise me!from the back of the car the rear passenger arch seems to bend in more than the drivers side it's probably by about nearly an inch,either that or the drivers side needs to be bent in,I'm quite fussy but I'm sure it shouldn't be like that or is it possible because it is quite old that things like that are quite normal?

[Mike Fisher]

Taking some measurements is the only way to know for sure. A cheap Laser Level would help with the accuracy.
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[58bluebug]

Thanks for the reply,it definitly seems out there a difference in gap from the wheel to the arch,your right I'm sure a more accurate gauge would work best,if it is out like I suspect what would be the fix?would the arch be able to be pulled out or would I need a new arch possibly?

[slalombuggy]

Could be a replacement fender. Also, I've seen several cars with factory fenders that had different gaps side to side. My oval is one of them. Remember, these were cheap economy cars, not Rolls Royces.

brad

[58bluebug]

Yeh I did think that mate,and like I said I am a fussy sod so really I just wanted to know if it could be something quite normal or could I improve it somehow

[hitest]

In the beetle threads there are numerous threads on the topic of aftermarket fenders. There really is no alteration one can make of a an aftermarket fender that is so far off from factory. Not only will the lateral "roll" over vary, but the diameter of the rolled lip, predisposition of headlight buckets, signal light holes, etc.. Even the running board mounts are known to vary. Take close measurements of the positions of your lights- to make sure they are perfectly mirrored in placement from side to side.
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