Does a 69 Beetle have 5 or 6 bows across the roof? Reason I ask is that my Beetle had six bows and the new headliner kit only has 5 bow pockets. ( the headliner had already been removed before I bought the car). And do you need the cardboard bits for front and back windows?

Cheers
Dave

Hi

I have no idea, but a suggestion, make sure that your have the little plastic ends on the bows otherwise you can get some strange noise happening in the roof.

Steve

I reckon 6 bows and the liner should tuck in under the front and rear window seals, so no cardboard strips.

Big Dave

I bet you bought that roof lining off EBAY. That guy is a crook (big call I know saying that).

I bought a roof lining too suit a 73 beetle. It turned up with 5 bows instead off the six. Up the front it had two bows close together on the old roof lining and the new one was the bow short in that area.

So i started fitting it, then I found its too short at the back, the old roof lining went down the sides a little too cover the seat belt holes, the new one just touches the rear window lip and enough too fold over and kwik grip but not enough too go down the sides the meet the fender trim parts.

Contacted the guy and he basically called me an idiot and I dont know what Im doing.

So in short, yes you are missing a bow at the front, and most likely it will be short at the back anyway.

What Im going to do is cut off the back section and add a longer bit so it goes where the original did, then with that bit I cut from the back section I will add too the front with some calico and add the other roof bow.

Let me know if you want and I can post a couple off pics off the issues and the fis.

Not good enough though is it

Trev

No mine came with the car, sealed in an EMPI box (68-76 Beetle) - it seems to be plenty long enough. I think I will see if I can get another pocket for the 6th bow put on somehow. I think it will fit a lot better and just stretch it thru the front and rear windows. Not sure what to do with the area along the C pillars where there is that sort of serrated edging? Might just have to put some foam over it first, then glue the liner on top??

An auto upholsterer wanted $600 just to fit!!!!!!!

you may not need the extra pocket

mark out the bow spacing on the inside of the roof and see how it looks there usuall about 300mm apart from memory unless the lining sags towards the rear window

make sure you fit some rubber tube to the ends of the steel bows to stop them rattleing around metal to metal

Lay the lining out in the sun for a few hours before you try and fit as well it will help straighten out all the wrinkles and be easier to pull n shove it into place get some heavy duty paper clips as well these will help to hold in place while the glue dries