TheSamba.com :: View topic - 68-71 Beetle Custom Bumper Guards LOOK!

Tue Jan 09, 2018 11:22 pm

Has anyone seen or have any information on these aftermarket bumper guards? They make a late model bumper (68-71) look like a early bumper(67). I saw this photo on Ebay but the auction wasn't for the bumpers. Thanks for any input. Steve

Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:00 am

I would suspect some sorta custom work.

Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:20 pm

I want them! Somebody needs to find those guards and the over riders

Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:27 pm

Mexican accessory. I have seen it in the classifieds before and considered buying them but the seller is in Mexico and sketchy as hell. Bad feedback.

Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:32 pm

Maybe Antonio has some?

Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:41 pm

I think they might be Brazilian. Waiting to hear back from the Ebay seller in Japan. He said his supplier is in Brazil.

Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:41 pm

yea those are neat

Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:33 pm

ffsmitchell wrote: I think they might be Brazilian. Waiting to hear back from the Ebay seller in Japan. He said his supplier is in Brazil.

^^ This is what I heard/learned somehow many years ago.

Thu Jan 11, 2018 3:41 am

they are know in brazil as "poleiros do parachoque" (bumper's roosts).
I see there are some for sale on mercadolivre (like these: https://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-920834134-...ate-75-_JM)

never tried buying from there, I'm thinking postage may be difficult for such large items but maybe some brazilian vendor carry or can procure them.

Thu Jan 11, 2018 5:55 am

If a reliable seller was offering these I'd suspect they'd sell pretty well in the US. I was after them for a bit but I gave up. Brazil is a very difficult place to deal with in terms of getting parts...and I'm Portuguese. Bus Depot gets Brazilian parts through distributors in Europe. Any time I have pursued importing something (just personally mind you) it dead ends rather quickly.
If anyone gets a hold of this accessory please share your info!

Thu Jan 11, 2018 9:10 am

ROCKOROD71 wrote: Brazil is a very difficult place to deal with in terms of getting parts...
You can say that again!

I've lived in Brasil on and off for about 15 years or so, and I can tell you without a doubt that Brasil is locked down tighter than a tick's arse! Maybe not Iron Curtain locked down, but close. The government is paranoid and highly protectionist, so their import/export laws are draconian to say the least. And since nobody really pays income tax down there, one of the main sources of revenue is import/export taxation, so doing business with them is usually not economically feasible (unless you don't mind paying the 300% tax on what you're buying, or you are a multi-national corporation who has the cash to grease the local politicos). And don't even get me started on what they charge for shipping!

About the only way to get anything in or out of the country is to physically go there and take it with you. This is how I got my 83mm Cofap pistons and cylinders, and they were still ridiculously expensive, even without paying the tax.

But on the brighter side, Brasil is a great place to take a vacation, so if you ever have some time off work AND you need some parts for your VW, you know where to go.

Realmente, o Brasil não tem jeito, só tem jeitinho. Que pena!

Thu Jan 11, 2018 3:50 pm

ffsmitchell wrote:

How 'bout those awesome polished stainless-steel "fender bead protector plates"? :roll:

Thu Jan 11, 2018 4:01 pm

57BLITZ wrote: ffsmitchell wrote:

How 'bout those awesome polished stainless-steel "fender bead protector plates"? :roll:

ya those are sweet. anywhere in the usa to get those?

Thu Jan 11, 2018 5:40 pm

it seems to me that an industrial tubing bending/forming company could bend the tubes,question is what size diameter should they be and how could the bumperettes be fabricated. for a late style bumper.Iv been thinking about this all day.the tubing would not be that much of a hurdle to overcome i wouldn't think

Thu Jan 11, 2018 8:20 pm

After some checking I think you could re-cut a set of 67 over ride bars both front and rear. I also found a set of bumper guards for late model buses that might work. Might be a neat project with benefits ($$$) for someone with the right skills. Just a thought.

Fri Jan 12, 2018 4:21 am

ffsmitchell wrote: After some checking I think you could re-cut a set of 67 over ride bars both front and rear. I also found a set of bumper guards for late model buses that might work. Might be a neat project with benefits ($$$) for someone with the right skills. Just a thought.

when you say re cut do you mean the length?

Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:06 am

No. Re-cut the ends of the bars so they fit the contour of the newer bumper.

Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:03 pm

Bumper guards are made in what is known as a "deep drawing" process. Same as how oil filter canisters and Army helmets are made. Tooling to make such is muy expensivo. (guessing 25-30 K $ ) They could also be made as aluminum castings but chrome plating that material is problematic. Tough to make a payback on an initial investment. I have manufactured both accessories and fiberglass components in the past for classic British cars and this looks like a real narrow market.

.

Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:45 pm

the more i look at the 69 bug overiders the rear could be possibly used if the arch of the bumper is close to the later models,now the front to me would look a little weird with hat bump out in the center.And im still stuck on the bumper guards.

Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:55 pm

The rear would be 4 pieces plus the main bumper blade. The front would be 3 pieces. 2 bumper guards and one long over rider bar plus the main bumper blade.