http://cgi.ebay.com.au/vw-volkswagen-front-end-supports-vintage-country-buggy...

they're not original CB.

Craig,
Thanks for the heads up.
Since I don't have a CB sitting out in the backyard or in a barn, it would be impossible for me to verify what the seller is claiming about these parts.
This was from eBay and just turned up in an email notification on one of my saved searches for "Country Buggy". A few months ago there was a dash panel for a CB that came up for sale on eBay Oz and someone from the forum (can't immmediately remember who) was lucky enough to pick it up.

I was just posting as a service in the hope that someone might be able to use the parts, since I visit a wide variety of sites on the net.
Maybe one of you knowledgeable Aussie CB owners should point this out to this Aussie eBay seller, if it isn't a CB part, he is advertising falsely. One of the things you might do is ask for the part number as stamped on the item. My guess is either they would give you a bogus number or just say there isn't a VW number on the item to wiggle their way out of a corner they have been placed in by a savvy buyer.

Regards,
Steve

The more I thought about this, the more I thought I'd inquire myself of the seller.
That's not to say Aussies shouldn't inquire also, but there may be a bigger temptation to possibly scam a potential foreign buyer than an Australian domestic buyer.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, the response of the seller might be to my inquiry.
Here's the text of my questions to the seller.

Hello nellie-1927,
I live in the US and I am a big fan of the VW Country Buggy, a rare and unique vehicle, made specifically for the Australian market for a very short time in 1968.
I belong top several VW related forums, one of which specifically is devoted to CB's.
What proof can you offer this is in fact a VW part, and more specifically a VW Country Buggy factory made part?
What are the part numbers stamped on the item?
What other identifying features can you note which would verify these parts to be genuine VW Country Buggy parts?
Do you have any other additional photos, in particular close up photos, which would support your claim?
Any other additional information you can provide to support your contention these are original CB parts would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Regards,
ztnoo

Got a pretty quick reply from the seller, but one with no specific information I asked about.
I would say caveat emptor applies here......buyer beware!

Dear ztnoo,
I can only tell you that I removed them from a country buggy myself and that they will fit any pre 68 beetle in aus. I have been working on vws for a long time and can tell you that these are the real thing.
nellie-1927

well I've never seen them before !! The standard CB ones only support the lower torsion tubes.

Good on ya Steve for asking

have you seen that Damo has started work on my CB body ?

Craig,
Since the gent didn't answer my specific questions about the parts, there has to be something a little weird and off color going on with that auction. He could have very simply set the record straight....but chose not to do so.

As to Damo's pics of your CB....you bet I saw them.
I am curious (not being a body man) what he is up to removing the outer fender skin. What is the reason for that? Is he going to beat the panel out and reweld it, or is cb john fixing you up with a replacement fender panel?
What's the scoop on all that?
I take it you haven't been by Monster Garage to take a look at your project as well as Damo's own CB project.
I love those pics he has shared with us!!!


Steve

It's hard to believe, but these supports sold for AU $101.00!!!
If someone bought these thinking they were CB parts, they are in for a surprise,
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380008992166&ss...
There's another set on eBay Oz as "VW Front end Braces" which appear to be exactly the same.
Current bid is AU $15.50
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320231982601&ssPag...

They may be 'late' or Indonesia-spec CB bits, but they are not like any CB I have ever seen in Australia. And for what it's worth, I have crawled under about a dozen Aussie CBs...

These items are original Australia VW supplied for bugs up to 1967.Thses are the better and more expensive parts and support the front axle beam much better. The CB are the later german type as they only support one axle tube as the will also fit Ball joint beams...remember that ball joint was introduced in europe in 65....so 3 years later we got the strenghters....dont jump down too many throats as these do fit CB but tech they were not supplied OE cheers hate to see the wrong info and assumptions made cheers steve

well said Steve....we have brushed on wether these were a factory part before...........

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=57446 

...ah, so that is what the 'proper' factory Beetle front end stiffeners look like!