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Wed Oct 16, 2024 10:43 am

Hey all, I'm looking at a 1957 type 1 which is pretty decent except for some severe front end damage. I can handle mechanical stuff but I've never done any body repair or metal work so would likely use a body guy. Could this be pulled out? Or would a new clip have to be grafted in? Say I got the car for $2,000 would it be worth fixing?

Wed Oct 16, 2024 1:43 pm

I don't know about where you are, but here in the UK I would 100% take it at that price. It looks reasonably solid otherwise, and yes, it needs some pretty major work to fix that front end, but I would.

Wed Oct 16, 2024 8:11 pm

I guess the answer might be dependent on what your goals are. If you are looking for the base of a concourse restoration, this is not the car. If it will be a good “driver” then go for it! I have built four “driver” VWs in the last few years that all had major collision damage. The one thing that I would look out for is any issues with the pan. If the beam is bent, there is a good chance that the front of the pan is also tweaked. You can throw a new beam on there but it won’t drive straight unless you fix the pan also. The body work isn’t too hard. It just takes time and $. :D

Here are a couple of threads here on the Samba for some inspiration should you decide to build it:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=735814&highlight=frankenbus

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=429076&highlight=after+20+years

Thu Oct 17, 2024 6:04 am

I have an (pre 59) complete front clip and passenger side from the door hinges forward, if you're interested. Can't get it until January though. PM me.

Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:17 am

Here’s a front clip. You will still need to massage out the quarter panel, or get some pieces fabricated.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2665527

Good luck!

Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:40 am

Thanks for all the replies folks. It will definitely not be a concourse restore, but a solid good driver. I have an almost perfect '72 standard pan I can use for it.
Replacing the front clip sounds daunting for a guy with a mig welder but no experience. Would likely have to pay someone to do it.
In the third picture you can see it includes a replacement inner fender, or quarter panel, whatever it's called.
Sounds like he has most of the other parts for it, and a rebuilt 1200CC engine. I don't need the engine so was hoping he'd sell without. I would love to get it, just hesitant because of the front damage and no experience fixing something like that.

Sun Oct 20, 2024 8:52 pm

Pull out as much damage as possible before cutting any thing. Worst case you will need to replace passenger side quarter, no need for a whole clip. Use factory year correct donor parts, not aftermarket. Also measure pan to check for damage (doubt that one is bent, beam maybe), you don't want to put a late pan under it(creates title issues and devalued the car). No reason that couldn't be concourse restored if done properly, if that's what you wanted.

Wed Oct 23, 2024 1:47 pm

Snags wrote: I have an almost perfect '72 standard pan I can use for it.
Replacing the front clip sounds daunting for a guy with a mig welder but no experience. Would likely have to pay someone to do it.

You'll regret putting it on that pan later. Put that effort into repairing the original pan!