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Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:44 pm

I was wondering if 68-72 bumpers (front and rear) will bolt onto a 73. Reason I ask is I'm shopping for a bus, and prefer the look of the 71, but Ive found a pretty nice 73 for a decent price.

Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:50 pm

they certainly won't bolt straight on, but with enough time and money, its possible. heavy modifications though.

Maybe brazilian bus bumpers would bolt up? search for pics of brazilian buses here. the brzil bumpers look sorta like early bumpers.

You should just keep hunting for a 1972 bus, there's lot of them, :P i think they produced more 72's than any other year?

Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:07 pm

High priority stuff here, wouldn't want to be seen as a guy who cheaped out and didn't just buck up for the bus of his dreams from the start now would you? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=387964
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=321401
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=313242
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=97934
Get friendy with the search button here Matt, you're not the first to go down this road :wink:

Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:24 pm

thanks guys. perhaps i can be patient and find a 71. :P

Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:59 pm

I have a '71 Bus and need a rear Bumper. Will a '72 fit my '71? They look the same? But some parts places include the '72 as an early and some don't include it. What would be the difference if it doesn't fit?

Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:07 pm

rpm750 wrote: I have a '71 Bus and need a rear Bumper. Will a '72 fit my '71? They look the same? But some parts places include the '72 as an early and some don't include it. What would be the difference if it doesn't fit?

72 is the misfit year! The bumper itself will transfer over, however the mounts are 72 only IIRC

Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:19 pm

Was just chatting with a Club member and that's what he was saying. If that's the case then I can make some brackets work for the bumper.

This will widened my search for a bumper.

Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:34 pm

Malokin Martin wrote: rpm750 wrote: I have a '71 Bus and need a rear Bumper. Will a '72 fit my '71? They look the same? But some parts places include the '72 as an early and some don't include it. What would be the difference if it doesn't fit?

72 is the misfit year! The bumper itself will transfer over, however the mounts are 72 only IIRC

hmmm. I pulled the rear bumper off my 70 bus and bolted it right onto my 72. mounts and all.
I didn't think there was any difference between the early bumpers.

Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:10 pm

The '72 rear bumper is a one year only item. You have to drill a hole or two to make it fit earlier Bays. The brackets are set wider apart to make room for the T-4 motor.

Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:09 pm

The bumper ends are also different shaped in case you are a purest. It's strange how a 1 year only bumper is available but the 4 year bumper isn't.