Das Volks Vintage Volkswagen Gruppe

great work!

You've been busy- Keep at it!

AoT wrote:
But I didn't know if I should laugh or cry when I realized "Houston we have a problem"!!

Not sure if reversing the brackets will work yet!

Tried changing the orientation of the bracket and it only makes it worse. the brackets angle into the middle.
Anyone good at drilling thru stainless?

First off you need to get to bed earlier .

Second, I think I would put the brackets on first and see if I could fab something to meet the existing holes so I wouldn't have to drill the bumper.Just my 2 cents. Carry on.

Looking really nice

Just make new brakets....out of flat steel...no need to drill new holes in your beautiful new bumpers

Tom wrote:First off you need to get to bed earlier .

Second, I think I would put the brackets on first and see if I could fab something to meet the existing holes so I wouldn't have to drill the bumper.Just my 2 cents. Carry on.

Good suggestion Tom, you know how to keep it simple!! Thanks.

they actually sell those brakets to fit early bumpers on a later style bumper car, talk to GA, he had them on his blue bettle.

mannys66 wrote:they actually sell those brakets to fit early bumpers on a later style bumper car

exactly right, manny.

like this.............
http://www.mamotorworkstv.com/vw/produc ... ir_308070/

Isn't your car a 73. Mine was a 68 it had the slots in the apron. I don't know if they make those for the later bumper mounts. Don't you have a few of the later bumper mounts? cobble something together using the old mounts as a template.

Glenn A wrote:Isn't your car a 73.

It's a 74.

Glenn A wrote: Mine was a 68 it had the slots in the apron.

You sure.....? 68's should be through the fenders; and ole blue was pretty stock when you got her.

My bad this is true but either way AOTs car is supposed to have the later style 74 brackets and has the incorrect fenders. I can't say for sure without looking at it but my point is something is going to have to get fabbed. I don't think there is an over the counter solution.

gotboost79 wrote:http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... D15%2D2046

74 has different holes for the mounts.

gotboost79 wrote:http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... D15%2D2046

Says it should work with early fenders too. Looks like we have a weiner. I didn't see a front one at quick glance.

Raj wrote:
like this.............
http://www.mamotorworkstv.com/vw/produc ... ir_308070/

Well I ordered these brackets today. I made a template for the chassis bolts when I had the fenders off and it mimics what this bracket looks like. I figure I would give them a try and maybe just have a piece welded to catch the bolts holes if needed, rather than trying to fabricate something from scratch. If this is so far off I can return them. Hope to get the front done for ETown!

Got a good feeling this is going to work!! Any takers??

I agree. Worse case you cab redrill the holes in the new brackets. Or even more worse case find some 73 brackets and we can replace the 74 style.

After the standard brackets were a no go, I ordered retro-fit bumper brackets from MMA. On a cursory glance they did not seem like they would work and I called and got a RMA to send them back. Being the curious one, I figured I would give them a try to see how off they were and actually was surprised with the result.

I know that these blades are cosmetic and not for safety. I used one of the original bolt holes to attach to the chassis and the other is acting as a support.


Got the brackets attached and the bumpers mounted. The bracket holes and bumper holes matched up and it works.


the bumper hugs close but there is plenty of clearance for the hood to open


Finished look. Just need to see about getting another bolt hole in place.



Glad my curiosity paid offf!

NIce work Audrey.

3 options could be-
a) drill another hole in the bracket to grab an existing nut in the factory bracket - ( best solution)
b) weld a nut into the factory bracket to utilize the existing hole in the brackets ( or not and bolt.... not ideal)
c) weld a piece of steel to the new bracket to use that hole that you are currently supporting the bracket with now.

Great work..... alot of these aftermarket parts need some ' massaging' to work correct.

We need to add a like button.

Very Nice work and a great fit...I like some of Raj suggestions...

Did a little more investigating.

I took a peek last night and located the bolt hole behind the front bracket that I can drill thru to catch another bolt into the chassis.
Spot behind the red nail polish will lock it tight.


The rear brackets are a little tricky too. Due to the shock absorber bumpers for the '74, the access for the bolt holes and early fender opening are really off. I am going to order these retro fits and see if they fit the profile, then I will just have to drill the holes thru the metal to match the chassis holes.

Original bolt holes


Retro fit brackets to make the turn thru the fender hole.


Hope the transistion works as well as the front.

Hard to believe the wonder is getting it's second inspection today. Two years of living large!!

Audrey,
Is the wonder your daily driver nowadays? Or has it been recently?

Raj wrote:Audrey,
Is the wonder your daily driver nowadays? Or has it been recently?

Tribute is my DD and just happy that I can get the wonder around the other vw's on the driveway to keep it garaged!