Can anyone tell me the differences between a 61 bonnet and an oval bonnet, I already know about the extra holes in the hinge bases and the raised section for the vw logo?
I am trying to restore a 56 oval that was butchered into a rudimentary buggie and only have the rear half of the oval bonnet!

Cheers
"Twobus" + 1 buggy+ two beetles

From what ive seen there are 3 differences

the 1st is the raised section where the VW badge sits. an Oval has 4 slots to attach the badge and its flat not raised. the later badge attaches with round pins

2nd at the bottom of the chrome center strip the oval bonnet also has 2 slots to allow the Wolfsburg crest to attach.

3rd the stiffing section where the hinges attach is different, also the Oval bonnet has a locking stay 2 piece section and attaches on the right hand side to hold the bonnet open.

More than likely an Oval bonnet will be broke from this opening support as people forget to unlock it before shutting the bonnet

hope this helps

thanks vw54
I should be able to make the changes , It's just that a friend told me he couldn't even fit a later bonnet onto his oval!
cheers

[Edited on 11-5-2004 by twobus]

Its sort of a hijack but I think it would be a semi-frequently asked question too ----> In regards to oval bonnets (or the ones propped open by the locking hinge) the bonnets tend to bow to the right hand side (the hinge is on the left) after so many years of use. Is there any way to 'bend it back' and make the bonnet gaps even again?

Dave: have you had this prob?

yes It is a bit of a higjack but perhaps you could tell me if the badge section of an oval bonnet really is raised, as I seem to have had an oval bonnet on my 62 donor car and a later model bonnet on my oval basket case.
Cheers

I dont have my oval on my at the moment, but I do remember that my 64 DID have a raised area where the VW badge was anchored and that the there were 3 (I think) holes to hold the badge in...

dave just told you that it is flat not raised on an oval bonnet.

I am quite aware that Dave said that an oval had a flat spot where the logo went! I am also aware that it is best to double check ALL information on any subject that is found on the web, including as tiny a detail as putting the correct bonnet on the correct car!!!

All bonnets up 2 67 will fit and interchange with each other, providing that the origional car isnt bent out of shape too much. Usually this is the case and the bonnet thats on the car has been bent or twisted ( panel beated ) to fit the car that its on BAD MOOVE or a slack panel shop

Oval bonnets or up to around 61 or so carnt remember the exact date have a flat section under the badge late ones have the raised section by about 3 or 4 mms or so. ( see pics of my Orange Smoothie I went to the trouble of flatting this again ) The early soft alloy bonnet badge is held on by bending the 4 tabs on the inside of the bonnet. The later badge is held on with 3 pins.


" Is there any way to 'bend it back' and make the bonnet gaps even again"

Yes you can re twist the bonnet back but the stiffing section along the lip will have to be re welded. A decent panel beater should ( ha Ha ) be able to do this.

I must have been very lucky, because my oval basketcase had a later model bonnet albeit chopped up, and my 61 "rustbucket" donor car had an oval bonnet!
Now I only have to find an oval engine lid.

Cheers

I agree with you there about "panel beaters Ha Ha" Dave, they are a joke, I'm going through a few headaches now with a so called panel beater. Bastards