BBT Front Wings/Fenders For Pre Oct 52 Beetles/Bugs

[Martin Southwell]

I've suddenly become aware in other posts, that BBT are now manufacturing front wings/fenders for pre Oct 52 for Beetles/Bugs, but other than the talk about the details surrounding the horn grille vents, I've not come across any other comments.

Coolair VW Parts here in the UK, say on their website that these items were due to be available to purchase from June 2020, but when you click on their page to buy them, they said phone for a delivery date, so pressumably none in stock: https://www.coolairvw.co.uk/product/111821021bbt1/

Has anybody managed to buy any of these from somewhere, and if so, what is the quality like? How close to the originals are they? On the face of it, an answer to a prayer, but are they?

[Martin Southwell]

Look at BBT's website, and as of 1st Jan 2021, it seems that they have sold out of left hand export wings/folders, or still not made, as it says Not Available: https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/3-w...-tq-10-52/

For the right side it says Available? https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/3-w...-tq-10-52/ so not a great deal of help.

Both of the standard wings also simply say Available?, and so who knows what the reality of the situation is? I would guess that Covid plays a part in this situation somehow.

[splitjunkie]

CIP in California has them in stock, at least according to their website. I know that doesn't really help you though.

They appear to have punched a complete horn grill hole on the right side fenders rather than the four slots.
_________________
Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[Suboval]

BBT has advertised the Split front fenders with and without horn grill, currently on page 18 of their Blog: https://blog.bbt4vw.com/page/18/

Fender front left, with horn grill TQ - https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/3-w...-tq-10-52/
Fender front right, with horn grill TQ - https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/3-w...-tq-10-52/
Fender front left, without horn grill TQ - https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/3-w...-tq-10-52/
Fender front right, without horn grill TQ - https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/3-w...-10-52%20/

Test report of the new front fender can be found here: https://www.bbt4vw.com/highlights/Fenders/
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It all works on paper.

There's two things we learn from history:
1.) History repeats itself.
2.) We don't learn from history.

[janerick3]

The full view fenders in the BBT blog look like CAD images, so they may not accurately represent the actual production item.

The quality of the BBT fenders is better than anything else currently out there, except original German VW. I have never seen a real, live KlassicFab fender, so I cannot pass judgment on them and I believe they are NLA, anyway.

If you are looking at hours of metalwork to repair an original fender, or you have a pre-'60 with either later or repro fenders, I would definitely consider the BBT product. Very little prep work is required. Even though the horn grill cutout is in the correct location, I would still buy them in pairs.

The only difference I've noticed is that the second mounting hole from the front is the same size as the rest, so it might take a little longer to hang and align the fender to the car, assuming the inner fender is original and undamaged.
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[peter schepens]

Picts of BBT front wings fitted on a split body. Fitting was no problem; all bolts lined up, Only the tube for the wireloom was a bit of center. Flanges have a bit of wrinkling due to pressing. I am a happy client.

I fitted them on a 50 body. The front apron is not a reference as it was a wrong repro welde in by previous owner due to rust and I need to change it . Car has no accident traces in the front.

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Zelensis, glassfibre body made in Belgium , disigned and built on a VW platform About 25 body's built.
Hebmuller info wanted for http://www.hebmueller-registry.com/home.html

[Zwitter UK]

Issue 2 of Volksauto Magazine has an article about them. They sound pretty good.

www.volksauto.co.uk
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Good day sir

[50Splitman]

Even though I'm trying to save my original and sad front fenders, between the pics I've seen, plus the article, I went ahead and purchased a set from CIP1!

Will post pics when I receive them.

[splitjunkie]

[peter schepens]

[splitjunkie]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[Who.Me?]

[David]

Looks like Kaefer-Nostalgie has them as well.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2406966
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Cheers,
Dave

*October '54 Ragtop

[Martin Southwell]

Seems that the wings/fenders have the later square style captive nut for retaining the headlight screw. Shame, but not the end of the world.

[50Splitman]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[Martin Southwell]

somma' our stash

Looks like our spare bedroom, and every garage I own, usually with a vehicle in the middle of, or underneath it all!

[consvws]