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Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:24 pm

I know that there were both aluminum and plastic short rails for the two-fold ragtop, depending on the year of manufacture. Would they be interchangeable?

For whatever reason, I don't like the plastic ones......

Also, would it be possible to fabricate aluminum short rails by cutting down aluminum long rail extrusions? I have a spare set of long rails that aren't the greatest.... :-k

Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:23 pm

yes,and yes

Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:24 pm

That's good news! Any tips I could use before I start in on my spare long rails?

Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:27 am

Use your existing short rails as a template :wink:

Sat Jul 19, 2025 3:39 pm

These plastic short rails fit my '57 just fine and function great. It's not a show car and finding new/used aluminum ones is expensive! Wonder why no one makes after market plastic short rails like these? Bet people would buy them.

Sat Jul 19, 2025 10:02 pm

Havent seen too many but late 63 through 67 standard were long one piece units. Id guess that it was an improvement vs earlier 2 piece rails but wonder why they were 2 piece to begin with.

Sun Jul 20, 2025 10:01 am

Ol’ Herb has the one piece aluminum rails
His ragtop is from 63

Sun Jul 20, 2025 10:06 am

ya , i have seen the short ones made from long ones cut up . Kotch's or someone was selling em . maybe you searched the wrong words as i see some here in the classifieds .

as i recall the earlier long rail cant be used for the short piece as it has slots for a rubber rail .

Mon Jul 21, 2025 6:53 am

The short parts are available in aluminum
https://eisparts.com/product/rag-top-aluminum-small-rails-two-piece-short-bugs-63/

https://www.mamotorworks.com/vw/product/1950-1963-...9ES-Wsr6-6

Personally, I'd probably just go for a full new set if Mine were getting a little wear.
Jbugs isnt too much more than that
https://www.jbugs.com/product/115875101A.html?utm_...uCQvYr7Cag