Is this roof rack a VW original?

[pstzortzis]

So I 've been wanting to buy this roof rack for my bug and I still don't know if it is an original VW one? Does anybody have any info about this. The seller does not know anything about it

[Keith]

Yes it is, there should be a tiny VW emblem stamped into it as well. I have a few of those racks.
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

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[rcroane]

Here's the part # sticker that's on the identical one that I have.

I noticed that mine has a different style clamp....here's a photo of mine....

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'65 Sunroof Bug

[hitest]

The rack in question is a first generation VW steel rack- with the turnbuckle clamps and cargo strap loops. It appears in accessory catalogs dating back to about '61 if I recall. I have 3- 2 of which are the raised height for sunroof models.

Bob yours was used from about '63 on, but your foil label tells me it's even later than that (but it's only the label that gives it away). It's still absolutely correct for your gorgeous '65.


I recently and for the first time had that rack powder coated just to see it I like it. It came out really nice in my opinion and is a very light gray with just a hint of metallic flake- to give an appearance of fresh galvanized finish. Here it sits on the car before I drank enough beer to knowingly scratch the bars during clamp reinstallation.

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[bluebus86]

[Sharp64]

Be aware that while it’s correct the racks with the bars that go side to side like that make an ungodly loud howling noise starting at about 20-25mph. Had one come with a car and the damn thing sounded like a jet engine was on the roof. Made it about 3/4 of a mile down the road before I turned around to take it off. Still sitting in my shed collecting dust. I have one of the Empi reproductions and it doesn’t make that kind of noise at all.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[rcroane]

[hitest]

Thanks Bluebus !

Sharp is right about the noise. The story about my exact rack is it came on a '63 I bought. I had left a note on the then nice gulf blue car about 28 years ago. The owner's son called 19 years ago and said he wants to sell his dad's car- but it had trans problems. The car was hit hard and dad later passed from unrelated cause. Since junior didn't want the wrecked car he called me. He claimed at 30-35 mph the car would emit a horrible howl. I was told come get it for $200. I did, towed it home, got it running. Sure enough, howl at 35. I reached out and grabbed the rack and changed the harmonics- howl went away. I stripped the pop outs and the rack and resold the now running car to an autobody student for $250.
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[Keith]

[79SuperVert]

A previous owner who was handy with plexiglas created this air dam attached to the front of the rack on my car. There is no roar or howl. I imagine it must upset the designed air flow, but so far I haven't experienced any engine overheating.

The dark line along the bottom of the dam is a fuel line cut lengthwise and slipped onto the bottom of the plexiglas to prevent the roof paint from getting scratched by the panel flexing from the wind.
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Central Jersey VW Society

Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... did not know the taller ones were for ragtops - here's my '60 euro

this one's also stamped VW

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5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[67conv]

OK...I know this comment might generate a little "hating" amongst the accessory-obsessive folks out there, especially in regards to all the roof racks atop every other VW on display at every show in the past 15 years or so! It's almost borderline obsessive, and NOT how it was. Seriously -- These things were VERY RARELY EVER seen on the tops of VW's back in the day, and are more of an attempt to glorify a "cool period correct" thingamabob that's more in style today than it ever was in the contemporary 1950's-1970's ACVW time period. Just sayin'....p.s. If you honestly and truly felt a need for rooftop storage in, say...1966, you'd go to Sears - Roebuck's, and get a universal tent-type unit. "Originality" did not matter in those days!
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1967 VW Convertible, owned /driven /pampered for 34 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned /driven /risen from the dead for 20 years.

Previously owned: 72 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Super Beetle bought NEW; 79 Convertible bought NEW; 67 type 1 savanna beige; 67 2.0 911S; 73 2.4 911T; 63 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 64 356 SC sunroof coupe; 72 Type-3 Squareback; 68 + 69 Type-3 Fastbacks; 87 Vanagon GL Wasserboxer

[79SuperVert]

No hate here, but we all love our cars in our own different ways. I bought my Beetle with the roof rack on it, so I'll leave it on, and it will be up to the next owner to remove it if they want to.
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Central Jersey VW Society

Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.

[epulvere]

Dredging up an old thread...
Does anyone know where to get the turnbuckles for these? I snapped the bolt off of mine in the turnbuckle.

[stembridge]

Thanks for resurrecting this thread - it answers the same question for me, as my '63 came with this same rack (short height). Mine is bowed across the middle, though. Hopefully I can straighten it out.

es
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1962 VW Type I Sunroof
1963 VW Type I Sedan
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Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) …being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

[ThorpS18]

[scottyrocks]

[PWB]

this one's also stamped VW

[/quote]

I have one that looks like this (with teak slats). I've always wondered if it was an official VW accessory or not? Where is the VW stamp typically located on this version? What year(s) what this version offered/sold?

[Eric&Barb]

One can just install a good quality rubber bungee down the center of the rack front to back. Wend the bungee so the rubber touches each horizontal tube that run side to side. That will dampen out the howl of the rack.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[liflx_s75]

Finally found a rack for my beetle. It had one like this for its first 12 years, and was a dealer accessory. I removed it as a naive teen, and it got lost over the years (it was rusty).

After I get the engine back in I will be listening for noise! Used gas line as cushions. And rubber on the clamp. The rack is in remarkably good condition. Wonder it’s for a sunroof, it seems high.