Got hit today.

[Tim Donahoe]

I’m stopped at a stop light and suddenly BAM! My bug and I went forward about a foot, but I didn’t hit the stopped car in front of me.

Behind me is a big black Cadillac SUV. I got out of the bug to survey the damage, get the chick’s info, etc. She asked if there was any damage, and I told her I couldn’t tell because her car was still touching my bumper. She was answering her phone when she hit me. God, I hate cell phones ....

Now, for all those who think the 1974 Federal Rules for 5mph impacts, made for an ugly, big-ass bumper, you might be right, but you might want to rethink your decision. Yes, the earlier bumpers looked sweeter, but today I’m so glad my ‘74 had the newer style with the shock absorbers.

My big-ass bumper—and rear end—had no damage whatsoever. Not even a scratch on the thick rubber strip. No damage to the areas where the shock absorbers attach, either.

It’s good to dodge a bullet.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[60ragtop]

It didn't even push in the shock absorbing brackets?
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[Tim Donahoe]

Yes, I almost believe the shock absorbers may have gone in some, because on one side, I had installed a length of bicycle tube to replace the sheath; and this sheath had a split in it (at a seam), and I didn’t notice it before. But, if the absorbers went in, they went back out again; although, I don’t think they were designed to rebound.

It’s more likely that the shocks are seized and that crack in the bicycle-tube sheath just split from sun damage after three or four years exposure.

My best guess is that the thick rubber bumper strips took a lot of the impact. Without them, the bumper would have shown a dent, and required fixing and a re-chrome.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Tom K.]

Holy sh** glad you are safe and your VW treasure is intact.
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'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[sb001]

So glad to hear you and your car are OK...
I cringe every time I pull up to a stop in my town, just waiting for some dumbass to plow into me, knowing there is no way my car would survive. Millennials driving around here in daddy's truck or mommy's SUV are bad enough, but being the home of Wal-Mart HQ and associated vendors, with all of their uber-important never-ending cell phone calls to secure that great deal are extra trouble.
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[VW_Jimbo]

Take a close look but below 2 mph, nothing shows up. Get to 5mph and things start moving. 10mph and a buckle or a crease is bound to show itself. The number one spot, if you were rear ended is the spot weld line at the inner fender, right in back of the firewall spot welds? If no buckling - you did not get over 5mph. Because 10 Mpg gets you a free buckle in the sheet metal right there.

Hope it is nothing!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[randayn]

Tim, Glad you are ok and no major damage. Here in Florida they did pass a 1/2 ass law regarding phone use in a moving vehicle.
Too late to save a good friend who was killed while sitting at a stop sign on his motorcycle while a young woman was looking at her text message. Hit the road hard at 10 mph and it can kill you.
As a biker I am always looking for the idiot left turners but my eye is always on the rear view mirror, The fn assholes looking in their lap as the come up behind me at a stop light.
Just another reason to install hyperlites on the rear brake light. I have used them for years. Bright flashing LED. It does get their attention.

[vamram]

Tim, glad all looks good! I had the same thing happen to me last November in my '74 (always a risk in a DD), same result - no damage, much to my surprise, just never posted. Love me my big '74 bumpers!!
_________________
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!!

[390nellie]

How about the pea shooters Tim?

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

Glad to hear you are okay Tim.


Also good that your bug is unharmed too. Although 'things' are replaceable. People are not.


Again, glad all is well over there.
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1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor

[Tim Donahoe]

Thanks, guys.

The pea shooters weren’t touched. It seems that a Cadillac SUV has a front bumper that lines up well with a late-model bug. Who woulda thunk. The pea shooters were the first things I inspected. If they were hit, the prospect of engine damage might have occurred. But they were unmolested.

I was really quite lucky. But now, I’m going out to check those spot welds on the inner fender.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[alex857]

Good luck, I am sure all is well.
I had an Audi backing up into my 74 SB a couple of years ago. The bumper bracket collapsed and I pulled it out with the help of a tree, no visible damage.

[Xevin]

Ahh geez. Glad all is well Tim. This is why I’m afraid to have nice VWs. That, and I don’t have a garage. Hope it all checks out well.
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Keep on Busin'

[tzepesh]

Not a nice experience, but I'm glad you are ok and that no major damage happened to the car.
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[cajun_sun_bug]

Glad your ok, your sun bug CAN be repaired if need be!
Interested to see how this turns out, hopefully you wont have any after effects from being hit, I agree with you too on the cell phone issue, you know and so do I in this day and age car makers can install the technology that would prohibit anyone from using their cell while their car is in motion but they wont because big busine$$ is involved.

Be well Tim.
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Regards,
Todd
1974 Super Beetle Sun Bug
#cajunhotrodder on insta

[61 BUS]

The solution to the distracted driver problem is easy. Assess a $50,000 fine (paid directly to the person that got hit) and permanent loss of drivers license on the first offense.
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61 Bus, 71 Bus, 76 Beetle, 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, 47 Plymouth Business Coupe, 58 BMW Isetta 300

[Cusser]

When I'm stopped, I like to periodically press the brake pedal, to warn other drivers.

In Arizona, there seems to be a law REQUIRING drivers to use phones or text while driving !!! No hands-free requirement here !!!

Way back in 1988, someone rear ended my 1970 VW as we were stopped at a traffic light. Amazingly for Arizona, the driver did not try to make a getaway. Anyway, my rear bumper and at least one bumper bracket were bent and needed replacement, got compensation and repair money from his insurance company. Months later I found some minor body damage which made it a little tougher to remove the valve cover on the passenger side, but not a big deal.
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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

[sb001]

[vamram]

[wetminkey]

Close call,...Glad to hear that your bug didn't get damaged, Tim! Whew!
Todd.