Late Beetle bumpers

[Lanny Hussey]

Apparently there were factory European bumpers for 68+ Beetles with signals in them, similar to the Mexican Beetles. Does anybody know a source or have one for sale? The cheapo 'Cal Look' bumpers are brutally thin, the Mexican bumpers are too large. Thanks.

[Zach Gomulka]

Never heard of such a beast.

I thought 1967 was the only year that matters?? 

[Lanny Hussey]

Never heard of such a beast.

I thought 1967 was the only year that matters?? 

Mr. Information Bruce Tweddle mentioned they were available on 74 and up Beetles in Europe (apparently they did not get the wonderful shock bumpers)
The owner of the car in question does have a 67 Vert w. BRMs/2110 EFI etc etc...

[Bruce]

I've heard them called Europa bumpers over there.  What's available in a high quality bumper?

[Neil Davies]

Pulled this off the VW Heritage website: http://www.vwheritage.com/vwh/VW-Beetle-Parts/Bumpers/Europa-Bumper-75-79/?templateID=vwh

Benssp on here works for them so he might be able to give you an idea on shipping, or even if they are available in North America.

[benssp]

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D1135 our best quality ones are these stripped and replated in the uk

[pupjoint]

i have seen them on cars in Europe, Japan and Asia.. not sure which year, but my friend's mid 70s semi auto came with it. there is no signal on the fender. never seen them being sold new.

[Lanny Hussey]

Thanks folks. I have already gone through the CIP bumper approach. When the 18 extra mounting holes were TIG welded, the bumper warped so badly it doesn't fit the car. Not much heat BTW..really thin. File under 'G'.. I have received some e-mails with pix of factory Beetles in the 70's with the 'signal' bumper from the factory. A repairable German core will suffice. Help!

[javabug]

How hard would it be to make your own from good German originals?  Make the hole, and work up whatever mounting method you need for the lights.  I bet you can figure it out Lanny.   

[ESH]

If you're after a genuine core you might want to try pm'ing Jules.r on here as he may be able to locate one for you. It might take a little while though as mint originals were pretty hard to get when I was looking not so long ago. It's a shame you need this type, at the Sacramento B-O-R I saw several very good ones for around the $5 / $10 mark (that is the without the cut outs) that I'd have bought if there'd been a way to get them back to LA (we had a 'stupid' car). Here you'd pay quite a bit more as it would seem that the one's that aren't rusted are the ones that got taken off cars due to accident damage.

 

[Lanny Hussey]

Stock German bumpers can be found locally. The option is to weld the light pockets into a German bumper, the problem is finishing it on the backside..I am rather picky..

[Donny B.]

Lanny can you post a link to your web site.  Thanks!

And personally I like the looks of the new headlights with the built in turn signals.  Supposedly you can't see the turn signal until it is lit.   Otherwise it looks like a plain headlight.  That way you don't have to mess with the bumper.  Just my $.02.

[Jon]

At first I I was amazed that I newer heard of these before...  but then I found out you are talking about just "normal bumpers".
I have scraped one US Super, and MAN the shock version is a heavy bumper... must be five times as heavy as a normal bumper.

When you are on the hunt for bumpers like these you might like to know this. There are three styles of original German bumpers, one with signals for the 1303, one with signals for the 1300 model, and a universal they made after they run out of the 1300 version. And that one is really just a 1303 version with the inner edge trimmed down to fit the flatter 1300 nose.
This drawing might be a little exaggerated, but it shows you what to look for.

[Lanny Hussey]

Wow! You have helped me avoid a ton of hassle..I had no idea. It looks like I have to fire up the TIG...

[ESH]

Like I said if you PM Julian.r he'll probably be able to get you a good original 1300 one with the turn signals.

 

[Lanny Hussey]

Donny..www.landproducts.ca
I'll PM Julian thanks.