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Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:15 am

I am currently restoring a '54 Sedan and have these two bullets, my first intention was to remove the bullets if I could not locate the correct fronts but upon taking the car apart I noticed the differences in the running board flares as well as the headlight buckets, the fender shapes look the same.

Which one is earlier? which one (shape) would be correct for my car other then the bullet. I would rather buy correct fenders if anyone knows of any, but need to get educated on this as plan B .Thanks for any help!

Oval fender differences

Drivers side bucket

Passenger side bucket

Driver side flare

Passenger side flare

Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:14 am

pass side looks right, the bucket on pre 55 should be smooth like that with no vertical pressings 8) not sure why it would have a bullet... mabey late 55 :?:

Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:11 am

joshbuchan wrote: pass side looks right, the bucket on pre 55 should be smooth like that with no vertical pressings 8) not sure why it would have a bullet... mabey late 55 :?:

Check the housing on the non-flared fender. I'll bet its added on and not an original bullet fender.
--Dan

Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:21 am

After taking a close look, the passenger side has had the bullet added, so this means it was an early oval fender, '55 or older with an added bullet, correct?

Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:36 pm

I'm in the proces of saving a pair of early fenders. As has been mentioned , early fenders had a smoother headlight bucket.

Another way to determine if you have early fenders, is to take a measurement across the fender. Take a tape measure, place it centered with the top most mounting hole (5th hole, either from the front or rear) and mearsure to the lip of the fender.

This is a later fender....

This is an early fender...

As you can see, there is about an inch difference.

hope this helps

Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:29 pm

joshbuchan wrote: pass side looks right, the bucket on pre 55 should be smooth like that with no vertical pressings 8) not sure why it would have a bullet... mabey late 55 :?:

My og late '56 buckets don't have the vertical pressing either, so the passenger side is probably off a late oval. The bullets are only spot-welded on, so they are relatively easy to remove and replace if the fender was repaired.

The driver's side is probably genuine VW from the '60s, as the horn grill hole is the same location as the pass. side (unlike aftermarket fenders). Look for a welded-up turn signal hole on top.

Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:32 am

Seems like two different responses,can we get a few more opinions?Thanks.

Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:00 am

[quote="Nifski"]Oval fender differences

Drivers side bucket

Passenger side bucket

Hi

The drive side one is 100% not a oval wing it's for a 60's car due the headlamp bowl is the wrong shape.

but the other one is for a early oval 53> 55 all you need to find a match.

good luck

Jay

Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:08 am

Quote:
Hi

The drive side one is 100% not a oval wing it's for a 60's car due the headlamp bowl is the wrong shape.

but the other one is for a early oval 53> 55 all you need to find a match.

good luck

Jay

Uhhh, not to be a smarty pants Jay or anything..but they didnt have bullet fenders until midway through 55 when they started that modification..

I agree on the passenger side is an OG fender, see the bucket contour inside is smooth, along with the flared running board area. The drivers side has the dimpled rectangular indention inside the bucket..so from reading and have had a set of that style..Not original.

Fender Reference Threads:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307483&highlight=fender
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=295256&highlight=fender

Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:27 am

valentinesr wrote: Quote:
Hi

The drive side one is 100% not a oval wing it's for a 60's car due the headlamp bowl is the wrong shape.

but the other one is for a early oval 53> 55 all you need to find a match.

good luck

Jay

Uhhh, not to be a smarty pants Jay or anything..but they didnt have bullet fenders until midway through 55 when they started that modification..

I agree on the passenger side is an OG fender, see the bucket contour inside is smooth, along with the flared running board area. The drivers side has the dimpled rectangular indention inside the bucket..so from reading and have had a set of that style..Not original.

Fender Reference Threads:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307483&highlight=fender
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=295256&highlight=fender

You are quite right there, when I post this I forgot about you guy with the bullet fenders :lol: I was referring to euro fenders with my quote with regards the year date.

I have both a 60's euro fender and an oval euro fender I will post some photo's up later so you can have look at.

Jay :D