Does anyone out there in VW land know of how big a job, (bitch of job I've been told) it is to put in new clip front and back of a 1964 beetle? I have already been told that the project in mind (see pic below) will need clip both ends. But unsure of how to approach it all. Or should I just find a reasonable back yard panel beater, welder or is there any other advice out there from you guys. The damage is abreak in the rear clip and the front also has a break in it. Bonnet and a few guards are badly damaged as well. Car has had too much love and money spent on it to just trash. Any advice most welcome.

Pic 2

Pic 3

Replacing the front and rear clips is a pretty standard job on any Beetle resto these days. Pretty hard to find one that hasnt had a bang in the front after years on the road. As long as the quarter panels are still straight (bit behind the fron indicator) is still good and the seams around the door havent opened up its repairable with a clip.
You cut the old front one off at the narrowest spot , pretty much where the indicator light is.
For the rear ideally cut where the apron joins the body, depends on the extent of the damage.

Here a pic of my 65 sunroof that wasnt repairable. Too much damage to the quarter panels. and the seams were all opened upnn[ Edited on 4-7-2005 byGrey 57 ]nn[ Edited on 4-7-2005 by Grey 57 ]

Heres another pic of the tank opening.

The good thing with you car is that its been hit dead center. Not offset.

Thanks for your pics Dean, it has given me hope there is life for the old girl yet as the damage hasn't extended to the quarter panels. The gearbox mounts and engine mounts are stuffed and a few guards and bonnet. I think I will come see you about that clip after all. luckily the spare wheel took most of the hit in the front and the rear only the bumper bar bracket punched through a rocker cover but no other enigne damage yet that we are aware of. Extractor and muffler are folded in half like a garden hose but all else looks ok.

Cheers
Karin & Linusnn[ Edited on 4-7-2005 by VOLX ]

No worries Karin, the back looks like it copped it the worst. But its way too good to scrap. Have a heap of bits and peices off that 65 here if you need them. Bumper brackets and the like. Just let me know what you need.
Cheers

Cut the clips off and Baja

Thanks Dean, maybe we can catch up at the weekend sometime. I have also emailed Nathan (Frankston) who has a rear clip in really good nic so hopefully between all the bits we can get her back on the road. I'll ring you and arrange when it suits you.

Karin

Weekend is fine. Not going far.

Ha Ha Peter you sound like my son. he wanted to turn it into a Volksrod! The poor little sedate "Ruby" as she is known to the family wouldn't know what hit her. Hey the good news is we sold "Walter" our 1970 wagon so that will give us a few more dollars to get this baby back on the road.

Thanks guys. Goodnight. Dean I'll give you a call this week.

Hi

You might want to see if the 1/4 panels can be beaten back into shape and new aprons fitted front & rear. Is it an insurance job?

Steve

Insurance have written it off. But we still want to fix it up as much as possible without spending a fortune. Had to buy another car to travel in. This used to be a daily driver but really not that practical in traffic. So we bought a newer car with at least disc brakes and air bag and proper heating. It certainly makes a difference to the comfort level but you know it's no fun in a "bumhole" car that everyone has. "Ruby" used to make heads turn and people always had a chat where ever we stopped. So definatlely would like her fixed up.