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  View original topic: Rear apron help
scotty timmerman Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:11 pm

I just got an autocraft engineering rear apron for my 57. I am not really happy with the stamping. I am thinking of getting a 55 and earlier apron from Wolfparts because I have read good things about his parts and grafting in the exhaust cutouts and inner shield. Is the only difference between the 56-60 and 55-earlier aprons the exhaust cutouts? Would this be worth doing or should I just stick with the autocraft one?

AlteWagen Sat Jan 25, 2020 11:27 am

The stamping on the AC apron looks swollen to me and is easily identifiable as aftermarket. The wolf part looks much more correct but as you mentioned lacks the inner assembly and seal channel. Other than the cutouts I believe them to be the same as 56-60 aprons.

depending what engine you will be putting in you may want to sell the AC apron and use a later apron to graft so the rear tin will fit without cutting

ZENVWDRIVER Sat Jan 25, 2020 1:38 pm

- i'd go with an original... but many in early 1955 had no cut-outs for twin pea shooters - a late '55 to 60 would be nice - and 1961 to 1963 would work, but no H-pattern.

scotty timmerman Sat Jan 25, 2020 2:50 pm

I will be using a 36hp so engine fitment won’t be an issue. I would like to get a good original apron but they all seem to be rusty or hammered. They would also take a lot of work to make right. I think I will be going with a wolfparts apron and cutting up the autocraft one for the pieces.

sunroof Sat Jan 25, 2020 3:11 pm

I have bought several pieces from Wolfparts and have been very happy with them. It is unfortunate he does not make the correct apron from your year of car because it would be pretty much perfect.

Don

ZENVWDRIVER Sat Jan 25, 2020 5:36 pm

scotty timmerman wrote: I will be using a 36hp so engine fitment won’t be an issue. I would like to get a good original apron but they all seem to be rusty or hammered. They would also take a lot of work to make right. I think I will be going with a wolfparts apron and cutting up the autocraft one for the pieces.

i hear ya - found a pretty nice apron, from a 1959 - sept has pretty hacked pea shooter cut outs - not looking for perfection - will be very functional...

jason Sat Jan 25, 2020 6:19 pm

Easiest way to tell they’re aftermarket is the lock tab. Correct is with square corners but I have only seen rounded. Wolfs looks correct.

tehillah1 Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:57 pm

Are these the autocraft aprons? They look solid but I haven't heard anyone say anything about these...advertised from Florida, Kafer Nostalgie. Anyone know any thing about them?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=844105

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=380161

scotty timmerman Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:45 pm

tehillah1 wrote: Are these the autocraft aprons? They look solid but I haven't heard anyone say anything about these...advertised from Florida, Kafer Nostalgie. Anyone know any thing about them?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=844105

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=380161

I bought one from there and they are autocraft.

tehillah1 Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:48 pm

It looks like they have the inner breast plate area in them. Is that accurate?
Did you purchase a cutout version or the early 55 version?

scotty timmerman Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:06 pm

I bought a cut out version. They do have the inner breast plate in them. There are some differences compared to an original from a 57. Some parts of stamping are swollen also.

tehillah1 Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:28 pm

Good info to know. Thanks.

Mark Evans Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:29 am

scotty timmerman wrote: tehillah1 wrote: Are these the autocraft aprons? They look solid but I haven't heard anyone say anything about these...advertised from Florida, Kafer Nostalgie. Anyone know any thing about them?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=844105

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=380161

I bought one from there and they are autocraft. What was your overall thought of the quality? I just received one from KN and I am not happy with it.

Snort Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:38 pm

Mark Evans wrote: What was your overall thought of the quality? I just received one from KN and I am not happy with it.
What do you not like about it?

scotty timmerman Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:07 pm

Kafe nostalgie sells auto craft aprons. I thought the quality was good until they got to the H patten. I feel like they just gave up on designing the stamping. It is swollen and does not resemble the original at all. Get yourself a wolf parts apron well worth the money. I combined the 2 to get the proper apron for my 57.




Mark Evans Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:50 am

Snort wrote: Mark Evans wrote: What was your overall thought of the quality? I just received one from KN and I am not happy with it.
What do you not like about it? As mentioned by Scotty, the clarity of the stampings of the H pattern, to me, was unacceptable. Latch tab was crooked. Also, the drip holes looked to have been drilled poorly.





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