Do people put early guards and lights onto later bugs?
I was looking in Ultra VW magazine and saw a couple of "1971" beetles in the classefieds section with the earlier style front guards and headlights on them.
Is this possible?
Do you think it is a good idea?
I like the earlier headlights because they are porsche style.
Nah, they all just bolt on. Early to late, late to early...............the only difference is where the bumper bar mounts onto the car. With an early beetle it bolts through the apron at the front, whereas a late beetle bolts through the guards.
how hard would it be to modify the rear apron to allow a earlier style decklid? is any required at all?.. i like the "ridge" on the 65ish Deck lids.. or a W ofcourse🙂
The rear is no problem to swap over-I have a late fuel injected rear panel on my Oval so I can use the later lid for more air/room for my Type4 with Porsche cooling.I have 73 rear guards that I have tried on my Oval,they will fit but some of the bolt holes are in a different spot(just redrill)I thought that I tried the front ones and the shape and contour was way different where they bolt on????????
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
If you unbolt the rear guards and open/ remove the engine lid you will be able to see where it is spot welded to the body. Use a spot weld drill (available from panel/paint shops) and drill each spot weld. You can then remove the apron and replace with an earlier one!
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
The guards changed in 68 like everywhere else unless you bought a base model 1200. To change to the earlier style front and rear lids you just need to change the front and rear aprons. I did it to my first 72 when it seemed impossible to find a 60's bug in 1990. I wouldn't bother doing it now though. Just buy a 6v beetle instead.
Now here is a big question... should I do it?
Front and back guards/lights, or just the front?
Not straight away, just something to think about for the future.
I would keep all the original bits too so that I could go back to stock anytime.
i reckon do it🙂 the older rear lights look way cooler.. and the slanted fronts also look better.. if your considering it then obviously your getting a decent spray job done.. so why not customize it up with alla the best bits? 🙂
yeah im saving up for a nice respray, a couple of years away though.
actually i came across some early 60's guards at the wreckers that are the same colour as my '69.
thinking i will pick them up if i can get them for less than $50 for the pair, less if i find that they need a bit of a beating.
then all i need is the headlights.
thanks for the response everyone 🙂
