Anybody recently bought 73-79 front nose skin?

[[email protected]]

Hello, scheduled to be into body shop in January and want to order new nose skin. What's the best metal currently for sale? Any feedback? Thanks all.
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72 ASI Bus "Mill"
66 Singlecab
68 Squareback
62 Ragtop Bug
77 Westfalia

[aeromech]

I haven’t but let me warn you that changing a nose isn’t like changing a fender. There are a bunch of wires as well as controls that will need to go back. Body shop guys usually suck at that. Be aware to inspect the job carefully before you pay. Check the lights at least. Most of these guys don’t know or care where wires go back or what screws to attach turn signal lenses with. Can you say drywall screws?

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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[[email protected]]

I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for the advice. It's an insurance job on a bus I now own that has been around the family for awhile. Needs done right for sure. Thinking about funky green early nose and modifying to late style. Also might be able to score a nice og front clip but that would be alot of spot weld drilling. Just wanted to see if what's out there new is any good for an option.
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72 ASI Bus "Mill"
66 Singlecab
68 Squareback
62 Ragtop Bug
77 Westfalia

[aeromech]

I’ve never purchased a nose but I believe say 10 years ago they were all high light (1973-1979) and you could modify them for low light. Recently I’ve heard that a kit can be used to convert to low light. Now, I’m thinking you may be able to purchase either variety but I’m not sure about that.

Here’s a vendor

https://www.klassicfab.com/product-category/bay-window-bus/nose/
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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[rsbadura]

Hello,

more than a decade ago - new front from IGP from Brazil (sold by a lot of resellers)
with protruding VW symbol area an embossed round shape - which I separated and smoothed out:

today there is a second version available in Germany by the US company Wolfsburg West - with less rework but also 3-4 times as expensive...

My IGP front is still perfect and rust free after rough driving in 3 continents - so material is not an issue. Only the extra work is a topic.

regards,
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Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L to camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools

[SGKent]

beautiful bus
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[nemobuscaptain]

I bought one from Bus Depot. It was British, from Just Kampers, I think. Someone will know the name.

It was thicked than the German stuff that came off. I was warned that some are so think that you need reinforcement around the wipers or the motors will make the nose flex. No problem with this one.
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Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[sodbuster]

The Wolfsburg west pannel.
https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211805031J

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know wolfsburg west made one. Anybody used one? I'm usually impressed by the parts they make.
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72 ASI Bus "Mill"
66 Singlecab
68 Squareback
62 Ragtop Bug
77 Westfalia

[Xevin]

[sodbuster]

[Kirk]

Yes. I bought a bus with a CIP1 nose on it. The quality wasn't great, and the fit was worse. I don't know if the guy got a bad one or not, but it was an ill fitting thing. Was quite an ordeal to get it to fit right.

I'd go elsewhere, just my two cents.

Came out good for rattle can nose vs OG paint doors.
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