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Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:30 pm

Vw Innovations offers a split window kit in fiberglass that fits into the original rear window with removal of the grill. Does anyone have experience with these kits? Would it be impossible to find a headliner to fit if I installed it into a steel sunroof '64?

http://www.vwinnovations.com/bug.html#split

Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:13 pm

Stop thinking right now.

Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:54 pm

fiberglass = the suck

'glass split window kit in a 64 = REALLY FUCKING BAD IDEA

Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:59 pm

My experience with them consists of : :"Man, what a stupid thing to do to a Beetle. "

Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:43 pm

Go for it!! Also, you should put some of those big super beetle tail lights on so people can see you better. Oh, and bondo that metal sunroof closed, those things are played out.

Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:54 pm

I didn't expect such a strong response. I have seen some other mods that seem way worse than a split window. Does anyone have any real-life experience with these?

Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:04 pm

Fiberglass and metal expand at a different rate, so when bonding the two together there's a good chance the paint may split where the 2 meets. To minimize this screw in bolts every foot or so around to keep the 'glass from moving. You can try industrial glue as well to help them bond, alot of people may not liek glue but it's been used for decades for airplane chassis, boat chassis and car chassis buildups instead of welding. Then finish off like any other bodywork.

Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:12 am

ive seen a popout window for the back that looks like a split window, anybody know where to get these?

Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:18 pm

Dustin72Supr wrote: ive seen a popout window for the back that looks like a split window, anybody know where to get these?

That's kinda cool!!!

Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:42 pm

What's so wrong about grafting a split window in? I see all kinds of bugs with all kinds of grafts, including sunroofs and sliding ragtops. But everyone gives props when they do that, so what's the big deal if this guy wants to make his rear window look like a split? It's just a friggin window for petes sake.

Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:43 pm

Anyhow, I'm not here to start a war....I say go for it, bro. It's your car and your style. Fuck the haters.

Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:37 pm

Fiberglass is for boats.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:31 am

If you're gonna do it use metal and weld it in. Get a 'W' deck lid and the proper tail lights to complete the package or it'll look funny.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:26 am

i owned a 1952 beetle for 18 years. i hated driving because of limited rear vision. i drove it maybe 200 miles in that time.
i upgraded to a 57 oval and drove that for 5 1/2 years. replaced it with a 61 ragtop (my favorite beetle) then i started driving 67 beetles and never looked back. i now drive a 65 bus with camper interior 365 days a year.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:09 am

the best way would be to graft a metal oval window clip in... Then add a metal kit to change an oval to a split. I've seen the kits in the classifides. Not the cheapest mod, but would be the best way to do it.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:20 am

I got my first beetle in 06 and it was a 69 beetle. I wanted a Kommanderwagen so bad that I bought one of those fiberglass kits and had it installed by one of the guys that works for the kubelKar company.

Now this was my first bug ever.....and I learned a valuable lesson from it. I should not have changed it....as mentioned before, visibility went out the door! Also, after 6 months.....a noticeable crack started to form around the seam where the fiberglass met the metal.

Also...if you do this to a later bug the windows don't look right....the front and sides are just to big! I wish I never would have done it.....but I did and yet I still love the little wagen.....she is getting a total makeover....getting sanded down, repainted nice & shiny as we speak. Just cause I made a horrible mistake in cutting her up....does not mean I don't love her anymore.....I am going to get years of enjoyment from this car!

Metal is the way to go.....fiberglass bad!

Since I got this car, we also got a 65' Bus, 71' Super Beetle and a 57' Oval....all are our daily drivers!

Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:51 pm

I'm a proponent of do your own thing. If you like it thats really all that's important. It may hurt any resale though.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:05 pm

The limited rear vision thing is true - I drive my big windowed '65 more that my '56 oval because of it.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:21 pm

25 years ago you would of had a different opinion from most people, trends change back then moding a bug was all in fashion and it would have been cool but fast forward to present time and most people are restoring them to near stock

Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:44 pm

KaferBus wrote: I got my first beetle in 06 and it was a 69 beetle. I wanted a Kommanderwagen so bad that I bought one of those fiberglass kits and had it installed by one of the guys that works for the kubelKar company.

Now this was my first bug ever.....and I learned a valuable lesson from it. I should not have changed it....as mentioned before, visibility went out the door! Also, after 6 months.....a noticeable crack started to form around the seam where the fiberglass met the metal.

Also...if you do this to a later bug the windows don't look right....the front and sides are just to big! I wish I never would have done it.....but I did and yet I still love the little wagen.....she is getting a total makeover....getting sanded down, repainted nice & shiny as we speak. Just cause I made a horrible mistake in cutting her up....does not mean I don't love her anymore.....I am going to get years of enjoyment from this car!

Metal is the way to go.....fiberglass bad!

Since I got this car, we also got a 65' Bus, 71' Super Beetle and a 57' Oval....all are our daily drivers!

X2 on this. I did the same thing and you just about summed up how I feel as well... Too funny...