Front clip info on quality of aftermarket parts

[crocksvw]

I've read several threads and they all say pretty much the same. That the aftermarket pieces are not a good option. I need to replace the clip on my 66 bug due to a mishap loading it on the trailer to transport it home. Car been in storage for 20 years in my dads barn and then it gets damaged. Pissed wasn't the word to describe how upset I was. But anyways I see where there are several companies offering aftermarket clips are any of them better than the other? I've been looking for two weeks now and haven't located a good donor car or clip. So I may have to go aftermarket. The body work cutting welding is not an issue for me just want the best fit and option possible.

[67rustavenger]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1729646
Where are you located? The clip in the above add is 1K. But looks in good nick! If your in SoCal. you can pick it up.

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[crocksvw]

Located in South Carolina. Just needing the front clip/apron. Mine is damaged on the driver side into the wheel well. Found a clip on jbugs website for 189. Didn't know if anyone had used any of their stuff.

[widefivebug]

I used a clip/apron from CIP1 because I couldn't find anything used and was running out of time to get something. If you can avoid using one of these, do it. The quality is just not there. These are manufactured to be generic and fit a range of different years so chances are it won't match exactly and there will be extra work fitting and matching things up.

[crocksvw]

That's what I'm afraid of. I don't have to have it today but sooner the better. Plan on starting to fix all the body issues in a couple weeks. I am going to get the brakes back working and clean the pans good and paint them which won't take to long. The body will take the longest especially since I need to repair that clip now. I like having everything ready and In place so I don't have to stop repeatedly.

[theKbStockpiler]

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111805591B

WW sells the apron for up to 67. It has been reported that the bottom lip on the inside of later model ones is crumpled to shrink it instead of stretching the entire rest of the panel.
_________________
My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask.

[67ctbug]

1967 is crumpled too from WW

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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
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[crocksvw]

Ok. So from the damage I see on my car it appears that I could do an apron and the small portion of the inner wheel well from ww instead of the whole clip like I assumed I'd have to buy. In the parts diagram in ww it's number 25. Is there metal a better fit than the others?

[theKbStockpiler]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=586891

This thread list suppliers.

Cip

http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=VWC-111-805-591-B

does not list a pre 67 only, but does state their opinion on other parts that they carry.
_________________
My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask.

[crocksvw]

Thanks I'll dig into those threads and see what i find. I'm going to look a couple more weeks for a possible good clip close by. If I don't find one I'll order one or the pieces I need.

[crocksvw]

Well may have gotten lucky and found a local guy with a couple 66 parts cars. He is going to check and see how the front clips are. Keeping my fingers crossed he will have a good one. If not guess I'll be going aftermarket still unsure which company. If it doesn't work out with the parts car I'll let y'all know who I go with and how it fits etc etc. thank you all for your input and help.

[widefivebug]

Just for what its worth, I know certain parts CIP1 sells comes from WW. Not sure about the sheet metal parts.

[green1303]

This is the best front apron made for 1966 Beetles (Autocraft).

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111805591AC

Here's the best repair panel for the front end of the front quarter panel (Estriguaru).

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TAB%2D400%2D101

It's also available here:

https://www.paruzzi.com/uk/beetle/bodywork-interior-bumpers/side-repair-panels/4829/

These options will work well if you don't want to cut up a Beetle. Klokkerholm disappoints on body panels, but they make good stuff for the chassis. Please don't buy anything painted black for this job.
_________________
1973 green Super Beetle

[crocksvw]

Hey green1303, so the cip1 part will be a good one? Have had no luck on finding a good donor car. So I'm going to have to get a reproduction clip. I've been looking and shipping is high which I can understand it's a large item. But I see where cip1 has free shipping so I'm leaning that way but want a good part. Here's a couple pics of what's damaged.

[green1303]

The $36 orange Estriguaru part is a repair panel for the front end of the quarter panel, it's not a full clip that runs from one fender to the other. The apron is a separate panel, and the spare wheel well is a third panel. You can look at your car to see how they fit together and which ones you need.

I looked more closely at the Autocraft front apron that WW is selling. They say that it fits through 1967 here:

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_new/body_sheet_metal/bug_sheet_metal/front_apron.cfm

The photograph is clearly the four-finger design that is correct through 1960, as they state here:

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111805591AC

You can get the correct front apron from the manufacturer here:

http://www.autocrafteng.co.uk/shop/search-Beetle-A...60-67_174/

The rub on sheet metal repair panels is that many reproductions use thinner gauge than stock and don't fit well, because of poor stamping. Some people do the work themselves, place no value on their time, and care more about price than quality, so they save a few bucks on low-quality Klokkerholm (Denmark), IGP (Brazil), or Zito Periera (Brazil) sheet metal. All three are painted black. If you pay someone to install the panel, then it never pays to go cheap on the part, because you will pay more in labor for the shop to get it to fit. In some cases those products are the only option, but that's not the case with your job. It's easy enough to do metal work yourself and very expensive to have someone else do it.

Please also note that CIP1 does not make any body panels. They are a retailer, so I refer to the manufacturers above. Autocraft and Estriguaru are the best reproductions available today for the two panels that you mentioned.
_________________
1973 green Super Beetle

[crocksvw]

Oh ok I see what your saying. Yea the metal work is not an issue. I worked in a body shop right after high school for a few years. Also I'm a welder so fab work is a daily thing for me. Thanks for the help.

[57BLITZ]

I think that you would be much better off repairing your original steel that's damaged!

I have used some reproduction repair panels . . . I was not impressed!
Cheap "repop" parts have several aspects working against you being able to attain a quality, finished repair.

For instance , notice on the orange repair panel . . .
The "weld-nuts" for the fender bolts do not match what your car has!
Where's the "bulge" for the spar tire?
Is the repop bumper mount even close to looking like yours?

_________________
Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[green1303]

Here are some better pictures of the orange repair panels, to compare with your car:

https://www.vwheritage.com/113809111bq-inner-wing-repair-front-left-t1-beetle-1200-1973-red-hd

https://www.vwheritage.com/113809112bq-inner-wing-repair-front-right-t1-beetle-1200-1973-red-hd
_________________
1973 green Super Beetle

[OvalinAz]