Trunk liner fabrication project

[baldessariclan]

I had been wanting a decent trunk liner for my 1971 standard Beetle (or at least something better than the old blanket and boxes that I had been using in there). But wasn't having much luck finding anything suitable in the selection currently available from the new parts vendors. WW used to offer one that looked like pretty good fit and quality, but they’ve been out of stock for a long time now, and told me they’re not expecting to get them in again any time soon (if ever). Examples from other sellers didn’t look like they’d fit very well, plus unattractive shipping rates to boot (large item).

So I decided to try making my own instead. I got a big sheet of scrap cardboard, made some measurements, and started to cut out, tape together, and fit up a “template” model:

Once the cardboard template seemed to be fitting pretty well, then went ahead and got a 4’ x 4’ sheet of that black corrugated plastic sheet material from local building surplus store (small piece shown below, about 1/8” thick or so — also saw available in hardware stores).

Using the cardboard template model, I transferred / traced its pattern onto the black plastic sheet material, and then cut and folded it to match.

I left a little extra material along the edges in some spots, and carefully test
fitted and trimmed until I had a satisfactory fit all around for the final installation.

We’ll see how it holds up long term — hopefully pretty well. I like it so far — much better then an old blanket and boxes, in any case...

[Brian]

Wow that looks good, I'll take 1 please.
_________________
Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

[glutamodo]

Usually this sort of thing fails to impress me but that one looks pretty sweet. Good job. Time to throw in a half-full tool box and some random parts and drive it on winding mountain roads all day, and see what it looks like in the morning.
_________________
Andy T.


IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.

[Cusser]

Nice.

Now that you've made the template, time to start selling these in Samba Classifieds !

I made my own liners from thin industrial carpet for my 1970 and for my 1971 Super, but yours looks better !
1971

1970

_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[baldessariclan]

[Dwayne1m]

That's super. I'm curious how you got it to fold without breaking.

[baldessariclan]

[Brian]

That would be legendary, I would appreciate that. I'd like to make a version for standards using super fresh air boxes.
_________________
Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

[Ricache]

I love it. I used the same corrugated stuff for the front floor of my bus but was less than impressed. Course it was a hi stress /traffic area.

In a bug trunk it looks terrific. Great job
_________________
_________________________________
'70 Westy
'70 Bug

[Rome]

Excellent work; very impressive for a do-it-at-home project.

[David_nc_72std]

The general trade name for the corrugated plastic is Coroplast, its usually made from polypropylene and is pretty tough stuff. Comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses if you can find a local supplier that stocks it

[allenw]

Dave NC, you must work for Inteplast as many people do not know the correct name.

[Raymond73]

Very well done. I really like the clean lines, one piece design, and appears sturdy. It's much better than my floppy carpet and plastic dash cover insert thing.
_________________
'70 Auto Stick Beetle
113 905 205AD
30 PICT-3

[Q-Dog]

That looks nice.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[joey1320]

Once cut and formed, one could glue a nice layer of fabric on and trim it nicely.
_________________
**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[bhartwell59]

Looks great!

Gonna see if anyone on the Ghia forum has dimensions... my car doesn't even have a trunk liner.
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[APPLEGREENVW]

Nice job. Please post dimensions when you get a chance.
_________________
Parts for sale https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=APPLEGREENVW

02/76 Beetle sedan

[HippyTom]

Looks great!!! Nice job. With your template, you could make another one and cover it with vinyl, carpet, or any combo of materials you want if you want a custom look.

My buddy has a 77 Super Vert that he never raised the hood at shows. I kept bugging him and he made liners out of plain old cardboard and glued some left over car carpet on it that his brother had laying around. Looks great. No one knows it's a DIY 0 cost item.

[joey1320]

Being that it is plastic, could one use a hot air gun(or wife's hair dryer) and heat up the creases to form them into place?
_________________
**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[gt1953]

I am wondering if you are taking orders for these.
I broke down and ordered one from WW a couple of years ago.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})