The Cal-look Lounge

So are repo convert deck lids the new Flat-4 BRMS? Remember when Flat-4 BRMs first came out and everyone had to have a set? It seemed like every car you saw at a show was all of a sudden sporting BRMs. It looks like that is happening with repo convert deck lids, everyone has to have one now. I beginning to think that there are now more convertible deck lids out that then original Karmen built drop tops. I don't really think it is for the extra cooling as I am guessing that is marginal since you see most of these lids propped open at the bottom anyway. So it must be just a styling thing. Anyone else notice this? I was all set to add some vents to my NOS '67 lid but now I am having second thoughts. I may just smooth it out and leave it like it is.

Edit: Come to think of it, maybe I will have a bunch of louvers punched in it just for the 'ell of it.

--louis

I think it has been like this for a couple of years, people have welded in 1302 or whatever vents into an original lid. I got a lid last year from Wolfparts. Got it on the car and I like it. That´s what it´s all about for me anyway.

if you mean the oval lids , theyre still a bit new to saturate the market ....
but the figures certainly add up in there favour . 1500 for a scabby bent original , or 500 for a brand new metal copy ???

the copies are very good so i've heard , but i will probobly not bother now .

i was watching the price of W deck-lids escalating and was thinking i'd buy a cab lid , and recoup part the cost by selling my original ..... now i think i'll just stick with what the car came with  ::)

Probably what I'm going to do with my '67 lid is get a sign shop to make black vinyl "vents", and just stick 'em on. 

ROFL!

--louis

just bought a pullmax machine and hopefully when I get the tooling figured out , I should be able to put vents into decklid. but cut them  vertical  so they match the stock vents under rear window, just a thought

i've had louvers punched into mine for that 80's look!  :D

but, yeah, noticed more w vert decklid

not so much semi w though...?

I like the smooth look with no vents in the decklid. Don't punch holes in that NOS lid, louis.

Side note, these guys are making repop oval decklids. They look really nice and are priced very resonably. Of course some of the nerds and whinners on thesamba had to complain about a company stepping up doing something benefical for our hobby, oh well. I will probably buy one.

http://www.ksreproduction.com/vw.asp

Fashion is a funny thing - in a couple of months/years NO ONE will want these decklids  ::) :)

I welding those in brians car, did the same to my 67 about 6-7 years ago, and yes it looks better with out vents, thats why i hid them under the plate. o ya hey fred.

I probably wont. But I will be filling the exhaust cutouts on my NOS rear apron.  ;)

What prompted this was looking at Sarge's car and Doug Mische's car. Both have stock sedan lids and it looks very clean. I will probably just weld up the trim holes and call it a day.

--louis

Where did you dig up a Pullmax? Nice find.

--louis

You know, it is really hard to come up with a car design that has not been done to death for a VW. Last thing I want to do is go to a show and park my car with 50 others that look just like it. But its a thin line between good taste and ugly. Especially with Cal-look.

--louis

The Beetlefactory ( http://www.beetle-factory.com ) in Germany convert your original decklid to a converteble decklid.
Here a few examples.
(http://www.keversite.nl/fotoalbum/fotos/280520051539374.jpg)
(http://www.keversite.nl/fotoalbum/fotos/280520051539371.jpg)
(http://www.keversite.nl/fotoalbum/fotos/280520051539373.jpg)

And maybe you have something about this link: http://www.ksreproduction.com/vw.asp

nice stuff! got the pullmax from goverment liquidation . com about 2 weeks ago, a p-9 , 4 thousand pounds  scary heavy, unloadind was a thrill , needed a drink when I got it down from the truck.

Has anybody seen the new decklids on a car, do they fit are the door gaps nice? something to think about. In the past on any type car not just vw, I have straighten the original panel if I could. Or got good used sheetmetal to finish repair, verse useing repop stuff. Just my no cent's

i know what you mean danny , but i've been told the oval lids are a GOOD copy .
the link sanders posted want about 1000 bucks to put the holes in .... ok but you dont get raintrays .
the copy is 500 and you get good raintrays ( that you then take off ) ::)

when i look at standard w lids reachin 500 on the samba , it makes sense for me to sell and go get a copy vert lid ......

but i have a funny feeling everybody is going to do the same ;)

I am assuming they are propped to clear the carb velocity stacks since IDAs with tall manifolds dont clear?

cheers richie

Yes. I have tall manifolds on mine.

I think I charged brian 250-300 range it's been a while

i saw a stack of them today, held one in my hand, and saw it fit to a car. very nice copy, metal did not feel flimsy but very sturdy, and fit the car nicely. was told by the installer that some very light tweeking was all it took to fit it up. just wish i had the cash to take one home myself

Just a thought BUT how many cars are there in KS's Bible are fitted with Cabrio decklids  ??? ;) :)

hey randy, who had the decklids? any word from your boss on the wireing diagram, no hurry, by for now

isp west has them, had them, he got the first 22 last week and when i was down there wiring power for his server/printer he was down to 5, and a guy drove in from oxnard and bought one while i was there. i'd put one on my car. we emailed pullmax to get the wiring diagram for your machine, cause the guy that wrote the directions that you gave me has a single phase machine ane that vfd setup  wont work on 3 phase. hes been out of the office today, hopfully have something for this weekend, i just like to wire my stuff right the first time and dont want to smoke your machine

YOU ! do, thanks I'm in nevada , be there till next tue,wed. tell your boss thank's very much, and what's he drink?

he's a bible thumper, so coffee and water?

Don't you start now!!  ;D ;D ;D

 :-* ;) :D :)

just an FYI for anyone interested in a 55/52  or 53/55 convert lid... were doing a pre order on them as they should be available soon, but they are going to be a limited run obviously due to the low demand for early cars,

so anyone interested can pre order and guarantee one at the price of $650 and with the current euro to dollar I don't need to explain what a deal that is!

Anthony / ISP WEST

(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/2172048.jpg)

Hey guys, Nelson Roger, the owner of KSR [the guys reproducing the lids] is a friend and fellow club member. He's been into VW's for years and has an outstanding collections of cars himself [a '50, two '57's, and a '67 vert]. All four cars are top notch as well as these reproductions. About two weeks ago we drove out together to a shop in PA to pick up one of his '57's that just was fitted with one of his new lids on it and it was perfect. They are OEM thickness, EDP coated and alot of effort has been put into these to make them as authentic as possible. Currently only 56-57 vert and sedan lids are available but as indicated above, 53-55 sedan and vert lids will be here soon. Right now only ISP and WCM are selling them. I'm selling a few to help fund a club project we have in the works [a '66]. Prices for vert "W" decklids have gone through the roof with the best examples fetching 2500US+ [I've seen heavily damaged ones sell for $1500US] so for $375 for the sedans and $550 for the verts, they are a steal. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

-jeffrey