Heater channel closing panels question

[Doktor]

c/p from The Samba forum

Hello ,

My VW Bug from 1970 is under major restoration work, and like many cars from that year need new heater channels.
I sourced original German ones without bottom closing panels, and I plan to install reinforcement rails used on Karmann cabriolets for additional strength.

My question is - do I need to buy both parts - heater channel closing panels and reinforcement rails, or just reinforcement rails ?

This:


This:


Or both, that is the question now...

Thnx for answers in advance !

[Black Sheep]

If you can find some original vw cabrio ones " good luck with that " they came as a whole sill panel complete with strengthener .
But if your going down the CSP strengthener route these are designed to be attached to a sedan heater channel with the sill in place .
I had some of these for a project of mine and they are very well made and strong 
Gunters the best guy on here to advise you 

[Doktor]

Thank you Black Sheep !

I will go with CSP route style strengthner, as they are available in my country and my good friend is official dealer for CSP in Croatia...

If anybody has some more good advices, please feel free to post it here !   

[Gunter]

Gunters the best guy on here to advise you 
 

thanks if help needed or advice just mail me at gh@csp-shop.de

thanks for the kind words

[Jon]

I would go with Wolfparts for the closing panels. Haven't looked into the reinforcements yet, so no tip from me on them.

[Doktor]

Closing panels are not a problem (Hookeys panel shop or Klokkerholm) and I allready have reinforcement rails... 
As from metal thickness, Klokkerholm is very good, but pressings are not good as originals. Still better than Brazilian made parts...

[Solexine]

Hello Doktor 

 About the subject, I have make the job on my 67 sleeper project, with almost all the stuff/ panels/parts available on the market: rails reinforcement/ sill strengthener convertible, reinforcements for B-pillar, reinforcements front leg room (this ones with some problems) and a little manual labor to adapt this, and of course bodywork.

  I need to be honest...sometimes it's had be some difficulties to adapting some parts.
 Some pics
[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[Solexine]

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[lowfastbus]

Why would you do this to a sedan?

[Solexine]

To try to have more rigidity without passing by the installation of an roll-bar. Good or bad idea, I know nothing about it, I would see:)
 I saw it has been a short time (2 or 3 weeks ago) this reinforcements  and modifications to stiffen are made on some German Look cars.