1972 Beetle Baja SE wheel center caps

[Dermechaniker50]

I recently acquired a set of 4 Lemmerz 10-spoke steel wheels minus the center caps. These "special, one year only" wheels were used on the 1972 Baja SE bug (in the USA) and the Marathon/Weltmeister models in other countries. My search for center caps has revealed they are quite rare and expensive.

My question is about identifying suitable aftermarket caps that will fit these wheels. The wheel center opening is 3.140 inches (80mm), which is larger than the center caps used on the VW "Sport" wheels offered on several different 70's models.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has encountered this issue. The wheels are going on a 1976 standard bug, so originality is not an issue. I just need to cover the wheel center holes at a reasonable cost. Thanks!

[Starbucket]

Try Summit racing search "wheel center caps".

[APPLEGREENVW]

Have you seen these?

_________________
Parts for sale https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=APPLEGREENVW

02/76 Beetle sedan

[TDCTDI]

I have a set of the center caps, what retains them? A special lug bolt or the plastic cap that goes over the bolt?
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[busdaddy]

The real ones (stainless cups)?, or those flat Brazilian caps that cover the whole bolt area that everyone sold 20 years ago?

Real ones had a thin O ring on them and went in from the back IIRC.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[APPLEGREENVW]

[APPLEGREENVW]

These fit stock wheels and should fit Baja SE wheels also.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-111-601-171-ASET
_________________
Parts for sale https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=APPLEGREENVW

02/76 Beetle sedan

[Dermechaniker50]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Very helpful!

[gt1953]

Every once and a while they show up and even on craiglist. Some time reasonable too. I found some in the classifieds a few years ago before they became gold plated prices.
_________________
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})

[TDCTDI]

If you're a real cheap ass, you can trim down some red SOLO cups & paint them black. If you're a real tightwad, you'll recycle them out of the trash. They stick out a bit far & you might be able to find another cheap plastic cup that fits better.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Dermechaniker50]

[APPLEGREENVW]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC88F2HcGWo

Make the washers.
_________________
Parts for sale https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=APPLEGREENVW

02/76 Beetle sedan

[Dermechaniker50]

Can you share the details of how the retaining washers were made? Thx

[pittwagen]

Why not try a readily available aftermarket center cap, normally used for a stock wheel?

[Dermechaniker50]

The "readily available" center caps used on the Sport wheels do not work on the Baja wheels. The center cap hole on the Baja wheel is a relatively unique, hard to find size -80 mm. I found some caps that fit, however they do not have the VW logo in the center.

Back to the original question - does anyone know where i can get the washers needed to mount the Brazilian VW center caps as suggested earlier???? I prefer how these center caps look mounted on the Baja 10 spoke wheel. I do not have the means to fabricate the washers shown in an earlier post on this topic, which appear to be exactly what is needed to safely and securely mount these center caps.

[PDX_VW_Erik]

[vamram]

These pop/clip in, no washers.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[gt1953]

I used the plastic center caps for some time till the real deal ones showed up here in the classifieds. I was lucky to have a spare one.
Wow just looked at the classifieds. Pricey for those.
_________________
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})