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Tristar Eric
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2004
Posts: 1242
Location: Portland, Or
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 Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject: Vanagon Postal Flare repros ~ group buy |
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Moderator edit 1: Front, rear, and full postal flare kit now available in classifieds: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1419951 , or via TerraWagen: http://terrawagen.com/products . Group buy for the Postal Flares has ended. The 16" flares are still on-deck for production (as are other products); therefore, this thread will remain open.
Moderator edit 2: Eric has an FAQ regarding the flares, which can be found here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6543687#6543687 .
Moderator edit 3: The aux light repro project and group buy has been moved to its own thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=574161 .
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I've been working with a friend to reproduce the postal front flares. We are very close to having them finished. They are an exact copy of the original 4 pieces.
The original idea of the Postal flare was so that the German and Swiss postal employees could keep their pants clean getting in and out of their Transporters. The upper section of the flare attaches to the underside of the door. When closed, it keeps all the muck from landing on the steel fender arch.
So, here's the deal, The first run is for 100 sets. We've added an extra section for Syncro owners, that will be included with every set of flares. The Syncro section does not have the cut out for the fuel tank like the 2wd versions do. The complete front flare set will have 5 pieces, for Syncro or 2wd!
What I need to know is how many of you would buy the kit? I think we've got it priced right at $250 shipped.
Here's a few pictures for those that don't know how they work.
_________________
Vanagon/Transporter flares here: www.terrawagen.com
[email protected] |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Good pricing 
Love the Syncro option. |
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T3 Pilot
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1507
Location: Deep South of the Great White North
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Those look really well made. What material are they molded in, and also how do they attach to the door and body?
_________________
1988 Vanagon
The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel...... |
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Tristar Eric
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2004
Posts: 1242
Location: Portland, Or
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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The flares will be abs plastic, vacuum formed. The exterior finish has a type of grain that most VW flares have of this vintage.
The door pieces attach to the underside of the door with either screws or rivets. The body parts are the same, screws or rivets. There are small marks where you need to drill molded onto the flares.
_________________
Vanagon/Transporter flares here: www.terrawagen.com
[email protected] |
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Howesight
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008
Posts: 3273
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Eric:
Very nice work! On a semi-related topic, do you notice whether your flares reduce wind noise? I have thought about adding a second weather strip to the front doors in some way for wind and road noise reduction, but your flares might just be a better solution.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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VWhead
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2009
Posts: 337
Location: Pacific Grove,CA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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Nice work Eric!
Are you making rears too?
_________________
81' Single Cab Syncro 1.8T GMW
88' 2wd Westy 1.8T GMW
www.gmwerks.com
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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Postal flairs only covered the fronts.
14" and 16" arches are available from different sources....not for anywhere near $250 shipped. |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| insyncro wrote: |
Postal flairs only covered the fronts.
14" and 16" arches are available from different sources....not for anywhere near $250 shipped. |
Correct, now the question is whether Eric and his friend can reproduce rear arches to more or less match the front postal flares.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Wellington
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 1884
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:59 am Post subject: |
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Excellent work, love them, would need rears too.
Any way to mold the back side to allow fitting with 3M tape? |
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taigagreen
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2005
Posts: 417
Location: Norway
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Nice! I`ve seen these in fibreglass and some other wild creations. But I like the OG look. I have a set on my -90 Caravelle Coach. They were cut to fit the big bumpers and side planks and I like the look. It has never bothered me that only the front fender flares are black. To me, thats part of the charm if you like your T3s and know the history behind this item.
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88 Westfalia Club Joker syncro AAZ i/c
99 Transporter syncro 2.5 TDi |
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WestyBob
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:57 am Post subject: |
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| taigagreen wrote: |
| It has never bothered me that only the front fender flares are black. To me, thats part of the charm if you like your T3s and know the history behind this item. |
In contrast, while I can appreciate the shear functionality of the fronts, it never looked quite 'right' to me without the rear ones too. Good price on the fronts though.
I'm interested in a front set, and hope the rear set will be available eventually. |
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Tristar Eric
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2004
Posts: 1242
Location: Portland, Or
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:02 am Post subject: |
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So here's a feeler for those interested, I am working on getting the rears done. If I could get a complete set of fronts and rears for under $400, would they sell?
Traditionally van folks are penny pinchers...
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Vanagon/Transporter flares here: www.terrawagen.com
[email protected] |
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WestyBob
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:18 am Post subject: |
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| Tristar Eric wrote: |
| So here's a feeler for those interested, I am working on getting the rears done. If I could get a complete set of fronts and rears for under $400, would they sell? Traditionally van folks are penny pinchers... |
They would sell well for under $400 but I couldn't guess how many sets. Probably eventually advertise on all the Craigslist areas too under 'vanagon', 'westfalia, etc. where the bulk of vanagons live to reach those not on the chat sites ... huge number of those.
If I had a dollar for every vanagon owner I encountered just in the Pdx area that never heard of the Samba, I-I-I ... could buy many sets  |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:13 am Post subject: |
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The rears appeal for several reasons.
To me, besides the balanced aesthetics, it is the fact they can cover up many ills.
I would like a few sets, ESPECIALLY, if rears are available...hint hint....
I know very well the dedication it can take to bring something like these to market.
I am sure the bigger supply houses will gobble up some of the production too.
Do you have a time frame?
BEST OF LUCK!
FWIW: My daughter got her pants wet over the weekend while transitioning through the door and magically now a new product thread appears. Who'd a thunk it? 
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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BenT Syncro
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2005
Posts: 1085
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:26 am Post subject: |
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Vacuum formed versions would be great. The postal flares were ABS vs. polyurethane like the 16" and Tristar arches.
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BenT
Last edited by BenT Syncro on Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:03 am; edited 1 time in total |
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T3 Pilot
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1507
Location: Deep South of the Great White North
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Tristar Eric Says.......So here's a feeler for those interested, I am working on getting the rears done. If I could get a complete set of fronts and rears for under $400, would they sell?
Done and done. take paypal?
_________________
1988 Vanagon
The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel...... |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:16 am Post subject: |
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| Syncro Pilot wrote: |
Tristar Eric Says.......So here's a feeler for those interested, I am working on getting the rears done. If I could get a complete set of fronts and rears for under $400, would they sell?
Done and done. take paypal? |
x2
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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zeohsix
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2012
Posts: 501
Location: United States
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Here is what I am willing to do. I will buy a set of front flares if they come with a coupon to allow me first run purchase of a set of rear flares when they are done. This method will allow you to get financing for completing rear flares. One thing I can warn you about the auto parts manufacturing industry is if you make a popular product the Chinese copies are only about 60-90 days away from hitting the market. I'm not sure the Vanagon parts will qualify. Get a $400 group buy going with promise of delivery of rear flares within 120 days and I am willing to sign up for a $250 PayPal transfer right now. |
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vwlovr
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2006
Posts: 1122
Location: on the road
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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| i think $400 is a good price point for a whole set. at least for me, things under $500 are easier to justify |
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chazz79
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008
Posts: 2268
Location: ohio
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| Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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As long as they're still modeled to fit with the side cladding then I'm in for a full set at 400.00. I have some crappy rear arch body work that tgese will cover nicely. This price point is what I've been looking for...only marginally higher than a comparable american truck aftermarket set.
I'm not even in the ballpark for ther 1200.00 set. The vanagon requires too much else to justify thaty much jewelry.
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The green monster in bits and peices: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=332556&highlight=green+monster |
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