Well I've found an NRMA-approved smash repairer who's prepared to give my dented kombi a new nose. My local VW place will supply a second-hand nose: cut through the windscreen uprights and along the floor about where the pedals are, so it's basically the whole front of the bus. The smash-repairer will cut off my kombi's dented nose and weld on the replacement one.

The smash-repairer isn't familiar with VWs, but the guy seems to have a really good attitude towards doing the best job possible. Is there anything in particular he should be watching out for? I know there are wires in the windscreen uprights, and of course a whole bunch of wires under the floor - how the hell is he going to deal with them???

hi martin,

perhaps your repairer will want to read:
http://www.everybus.com/dworkin/wendelin/ 
http://www.type2.com/library/body/nosepan.htm 
http://www.metwiz.com/nose.html 

Do mind me asking, how much the replacement panel cost and what the damage in labour is expected to be?

Are type 2 a and b nose panels easy to get hold of?

Cheers.

Thanks for the links!

The replacement second-hand front end is $330. Sounds cheap to me, my local VW guy is really good, and he's got a paddock full of VWs for spares. He just cuts off whatever he needs. So yeah, in Canberra any panel is easy to get hold of.

I've no idea what the labour will be, that's between the smash-repairer and the NRMA, but I'm guessing it'll be in the $3000 - $4500 range. Thank god I only have to pay $450 excess!