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lee ivatt
18 years ago
Hi i need a set of wings for my 1949 beetle. Im looking to purchase new ones, can anybvody recomend where to get these from, as im sure many of you know how terrible some pattern parts can be. Some not even looking like they are for the car in question! So i dont mind spending a little more to get the best quality.

Also many of you may be interested to hear ive sold the Rs turbo, oh and bought a Mk1 escort (sorry last time ill type that) so i thought i might take a photo of some of the cars all together. And PLEASE NOTE the wheels on my beetle are NOT staying, and are there purley for means of moving it! I think you'll agree even though MY 1949 is in the worst condition it still looks THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONE THERE.

Ps; I want steel wings not fibreglass. Kind regards lee
Past Restorations

1954 International Tractor-----1971 1200 Orange Beetle-----1985 Mk3 Escort S1 RS TURBO
1972 1600 VW Camper-----1969 MK1 Escort Mexico RS-----1949 Standard Beetle (incompleted)
1993 Escort Cosworth 4x4 350bhp---1970 1300 Orange Beetle---1971 Aston Martin DBS Vantage
1992 Mk Golf GTI 16v (2.8 VR6 conversion-----1982 MK3 Escort RS 1600i (restored twice!!)
1987 Sierra 3dr Cosworth to concourse--1968 1300 Red Beetle--1967 1500 Lotus White Beetle
1972 1200, Orange beetle (yes I like orange!)

Currently restoring

1958 old english white golge rag top--- 1992 mk3 Golf VR6
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pre67vw
18 years ago
Lee,

You can't get 'new' split wings, front split wings have a round hole for the horn grilles, they have a step at the back where it joins the running board and a slightly different shape above the headlights. Rear split wings are pretty much the same as later ones with an indent where the rear light fits.

A few people get some nice early oval wings that are basically the right shape and then modify the horn grill hole.
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
Andy Sparks
18 years ago
The rears have dimples pressed into the wing for the rear lights. You can get thes dimples on on www.thesamba.com, weld that into a oval rear wing, hey presto.

I saw a NOS front wing at Camberg for 1000 euro
You can never have too many accessories on your car. 🙂
pre67vw
18 years ago
You can also get the rear dimples from wolfparts...

[url=https://www.wolfparts.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=71
]https://www.wolfparts.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=71
[/url]
https://www.wolfparts.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=72 


 6941.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
lee ivatt
18 years ago
Every time i seem to 'make projress' with this car someone slips a spanner in the works. Ok so i need to buy oval wings: Graft in oval shaped holes for the front grille (one each side?). Graft in the contoured section on the rear for the lights.
What about the rear of the front wing, you say there is also an indent here for the running board!

I think i may need to see some pictures or even better a 49 in the flesh, these are all the kind of details i want to get perfect.
Past Restorations

1954 International Tractor-----1971 1200 Orange Beetle-----1985 Mk3 Escort S1 RS TURBO
1972 1600 VW Camper-----1969 MK1 Escort Mexico RS-----1949 Standard Beetle (incompleted)
1993 Escort Cosworth 4x4 350bhp---1970 1300 Orange Beetle---1971 Aston Martin DBS Vantage
1992 Mk Golf GTI 16v (2.8 VR6 conversion-----1982 MK3 Escort RS 1600i (restored twice!!)
1987 Sierra 3dr Cosworth to concourse--1968 1300 Red Beetle--1967 1500 Lotus White Beetle
1972 1200, Orange beetle (yes I like orange!)

Currently restoring

1958 old english white golge rag top--- 1992 mk3 Golf VR6
pre67vw
18 years ago

Ok so i need to buy oval wings: Graft in oval shaped holes for the front grille (one each side?)

"lee ivatt" wrote:



Round holes...
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
'50 Karmann
18 years ago
If you're willing to be patient and pay big bucks when they come up,you may find original wings.They will probably need a lot of work but they do come along from time to time.
I found four originals for my car.
At one point i had 9 wings.i was buying all i saw,No.Sorry they are long gone.
I know one dealer when i walked into one of his buildings i witnessed
3 Pairs of NOS pre '52 rear wings,Yes thats NOS and no they were not for sale "for my own cars".
I also saw a NOS rear at the last Camberg,they are still out there.how bad do you want them.
pre67vw
18 years ago


I think i may need to see some pictures or even better a 49 in the flesh, these are all the kind of details i want to get perfect.

"lee ivatt" wrote:



the rear section of the front wing...  6967.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
pre67vw
18 years ago
round horn grille...  6968.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
pre67vw
18 years ago
does a standard have both horn grille holes in the wings and a blanking plate over one, or does it have just the one hole on one side and slots for the grill in the other side?
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
'50 Karmann
18 years ago
No holes at all Rob.
Horn is bumper mounted.  6971.jpg You have insufficient rights to see the content.
lee ivatt
18 years ago
sorry round hole!!!
great pics, you dont happen to have one of a rear wing with or better without light to see the metals shape.
As far as nos/2nd hand wings etc. it would be nice to have these, but like you say its a case of getting out there and finding them! I fear i may have to settle for a new pattern part and get my metalwork hammers out!

In the front picture is the headlight correct as you say a 49 is slightly more raked?

Oh the last post has just reminded me, ive been meaning to ask about standard vs deluxe. As you know my car was a standard, but at present the body has holes for the deluxe trim! I really like the deluxe look and as the holes are all there im tempted to use them!? would this be an absolute no no. i.e would it be fround upon at shows, would it devalue the car? :? I do like a bit of chrome, imagine the aston in my pic without any chrome. Your probably all rolling your eyes again, but i really do like the idea of the deluxe trim inside and out! :oops:
Past Restorations

1954 International Tractor-----1971 1200 Orange Beetle-----1985 Mk3 Escort S1 RS TURBO
1972 1600 VW Camper-----1969 MK1 Escort Mexico RS-----1949 Standard Beetle (incompleted)
1993 Escort Cosworth 4x4 350bhp---1970 1300 Orange Beetle---1971 Aston Martin DBS Vantage
1992 Mk Golf GTI 16v (2.8 VR6 conversion-----1982 MK3 Escort RS 1600i (restored twice!!)
1987 Sierra 3dr Cosworth to concourse--1968 1300 Red Beetle--1967 1500 Lotus White Beetle
1972 1200, Orange beetle (yes I like orange!)

Currently restoring

1958 old english white golge rag top--- 1992 mk3 Golf VR6
pre67vw
18 years ago

No holes at all Rob.
Horn is bumper mounted.

"'50 Karmann" wrote:



of course... :oops:
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
pre67vw
18 years ago

sorry round hole!!!

"lee ivatt" wrote:



Sorry Lee, I was wrong - no holes on a standard... :oops:

Oh the last post has just reminded me, ive been meaning to ask about standard vs deluxe. As you know my car was a standard, but at present the body has holes for the deluxe trim! I really like the deluxe look and as the holes are all there im tempted to use them!? would this be an absolute no no. i.e would it be fround upon at shows, would it devalue the car?

"lee ivatt" wrote:



Yes it would, and so would pattern wings. The value of a restored split is based on its originality, the less original it is the less its worth - simple as that. And don't think that nobody would notice, some of these guys can spot incorrect wiring at 100 paces. But, if you're not restoring it to sell and are not bothered about concours trophies then adding the chrome is up to you in the end...
Rob Amos
Happiness is a stock VW
lee ivatt
18 years ago
I see your point. So im looking at trying to find 2nd hand wings? Surley though there is not much difference in credability between adapting oval wings to adapting pattern wings? as they will look the same at the end!
Thats if this is the route i choose to take, as oe49 wings sound real expensive, let alone rare!

As for the trim, i dont intend to concourse the car, i dont think i could justifiy spending all that money and not drive the car! Id like to get the car featured in a magazine, i think thats more exciting to me than winning trophies! And as for selling, well everything is for sale for the right price, isnt it!? I know if splits are original and A1 concourse condition they can fetch £15k(?).
But i have to work out a balance between money and labour put in and the return, should i ever happen to sell it.

A bit difficult but could any of you say what kind of value a Deluxe split, a standard split, and a standard with deluxe trim would fetch?
Past Restorations

1954 International Tractor-----1971 1200 Orange Beetle-----1985 Mk3 Escort S1 RS TURBO
1972 1600 VW Camper-----1969 MK1 Escort Mexico RS-----1949 Standard Beetle (incompleted)
1993 Escort Cosworth 4x4 350bhp---1970 1300 Orange Beetle---1971 Aston Martin DBS Vantage
1992 Mk Golf GTI 16v (2.8 VR6 conversion-----1982 MK3 Escort RS 1600i (restored twice!!)
1987 Sierra 3dr Cosworth to concourse--1968 1300 Red Beetle--1967 1500 Lotus White Beetle
1972 1200, Orange beetle (yes I like orange!)

Currently restoring

1958 old english white golge rag top--- 1992 mk3 Golf VR6
six-o-one
18 years ago

I see your point. So im looking at trying to find 2nd hand wings? Surley though there is not much difference in credability between adapting oval wings to adapting pattern wings? as they will look the same at the end!
Thats if this is the route i choose to take, as oe49 wings sound real expensive, let alone rare!

"lee ivatt" wrote:



Genuine VW wings from the '50s are a completly different shape to all the repro wings on the market which are a better match for the later '65-'67 original wings (much thinner metal though!). If you fit repro wings and just block the horn grills, it will be very noticible when you park next to a car with original wings so you'ld be better finding some oval model wings to modify, whatever they cost you!

As for the trim, i dont intend to concourse the car, i dont think i could justifiy spending all that money and not drive the car! Id like to get the car featured in a magazine, i think thats more exciting to me than winning trophies! And as for selling, well everything is for sale for the right price, isnt it!? I know if splits are original and A1 concourse condition they can fetch £15k(?). But i have to work out a balance between money and labour put in and the return, should i ever happen to sell it.

"lee ivatt" wrote:



If you get your original pan and mechanics back it should have cable brakes and a full-crash gearbox with no synco on any gears so very far removed from a delux split beetle. I reckon a magazine is more likely to feature a well restored car which is done very corectly then one which has been changed about a little and is a standard with delux trim. But it's your car so it's up to you.

A bit difficult but could any of you say what kind of value a Deluxe split, a standard split, and a standard with deluxe trim would fetch?

"lee ivatt" wrote:



You were adament you wanted a pre 1950 split window beetle and now you are talking about making it look like a post 1950 beetle!

The cool thing about the early cars is their simplicity (no chrome = original cal-look if you like?) and basic mechanics. The standard early cars are far rarer than the later delux cars and in my opinion much more interesting.

:D 😃
Lavenham Vintage VW Show - 2012 
Bandwagen | Vintage Volkswagens & Photography 
Andy Sparks
18 years ago
Get this book

The 1949 - 1959 VW Beetle by Bob Wilson ISBN 0-929758-03-X.

It's a real help in what is correct/incorrect for your car.

Jules at KK will have a copy i expect.

Andy
You can never have too many accessories on your car. 🙂
mrsherbie
18 years ago
Use oval front wings and modify, at least they are close enough. Unless you want to pay a fortune and some!

Rears are not so critical to me. I was going to use good gen 60 wings and bought Wolfs insert panels ( which are spot on I might add!) Now I have got the 'better' :? :lol: pair in this pic, yes those pretty girls with the red frilly filler edges :lol:
Just bought GSF rears to cut up to use for the bolt strip repairs. I have this strange feeling of guilt cutting new ones up :shock: But it will pass :lol:

The 2 proper rusty ones are going on O's car. As is.. I shall get my sewing kit out for this job in the style of Ed Geins Mother...

Anyway, my wonderful welder man is popping in to do the magic shortly.

Incidentally the GSF REAR wings (only) are now actually very good, much better quality than I remember them years ago! My local GSF guy says they are far improved these days. You could probably get away with using them on a car, although the side depths are still quite shallow I think.

Getting oval wings - not hard.
Getting good undented oval wings to put on a nice shiny car - V hard.

Confused? Yes me too, most of the time :lol:

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Oh, and I have this sneaky feeling that you havent checked up the price of grooved body trim yet?!
Weld up those pesky holes! It'll be a good feeling!
:lol:
"it'll wreck the patina you haven't worked so hard to create" - 50Karmann
lee ivatt
18 years ago
Dont buy a split unless ur mad is what you all said. i wish id bloody listened to you!

Ok look im really upset that you all think its a bad idea to deluxe it, as this has been my dream car since i was 10 (and a orange 1967 Lamborgini Miura SV- one at the start of the Italian Job). But i see your point, after all this is a rare car and i think it deserves for me to be true to it.

Anna i'll let you know how welding the holes goes, but its your fault if the panels warp! :shock: My wifes going to be so upset as it was only the chrome on the car that has made her half (and i mean half) like it.. no i mean come to terms with it! Now the Rs turbo is going (which she loved), i have plenty of money to spent on my 49 😃 Though a £1000 of this is going on the mk1 escort. which you may like to hear im selling when finished to spend yet more money on the 49!

I think i need some reasurance here as im 100% commited to making this a perfect car (george's 50 is my benchmark) Hell ive got to prove to you guys, although im a clueless 23 yr old that i can do this. I've budgeted £5000 for the parts, of course my labour is irrelevant! I need to know before i start spending too much, what will my 49 standard be worth, imagine its near to georges standard? Is £10k a realistic figure?



Past Restorations

1954 International Tractor-----1971 1200 Orange Beetle-----1985 Mk3 Escort S1 RS TURBO
1972 1600 VW Camper-----1969 MK1 Escort Mexico RS-----1949 Standard Beetle (incompleted)
1993 Escort Cosworth 4x4 350bhp---1970 1300 Orange Beetle---1971 Aston Martin DBS Vantage
1992 Mk Golf GTI 16v (2.8 VR6 conversion-----1982 MK3 Escort RS 1600i (restored twice!!)
1987 Sierra 3dr Cosworth to concourse--1968 1300 Red Beetle--1967 1500 Lotus White Beetle
1972 1200, Orange beetle (yes I like orange!)

Currently restoring

1958 old english white golge rag top--- 1992 mk3 Golf VR6
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