Author Topic: 1958 Fenders Identification? (Read 2953 times)

72vwtype2 · « **on:** January 09, 2006, 07:57:46 AM »

Should the back fenders of a 1958 bug be ribed (i.e. raised between the bolt holes) along the area where they bolt to the body or flat? What about the front fenders?

Thanks.

Russ · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:35:17 AM »

i am pretty sure the answer is yes,i have a front at home i can check later tonight if you would like
russ

Geoff · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2006, 09:41:42 AM »

My Orig 59 rears were ribbed.

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2006, 12:15:22 PM »

What about the fronts?

Russ · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2006, 12:26:54 PM »

i'll check when i get home

Bullyboy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2006, 06:51:58 PM »

What years did the fronts have the metal tube?

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2006, 07:44:34 PM »

The fronts had the metal tubes until about 1960. Then they went to the rubber.

Russ · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:05:01 PM »

yes the front on mine is ribbed.
the 58 was the last year i believe for the metal wiring tube.
it will also have the flat stamping by the running board on the front fender

Lanny · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:18:39 PM »

Hmmm, I always thought the ribbed fenders were rear only.

Mike Scott · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:22:46 PM »

Quote

Hmmm, I always thought the ribbed fenders were rear only.

Yeah me too, never had any that old though, I have a pair of german '63 fronts that are not ribbed in front of me

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2006, 10:25:18 PM »

Just to clarify a few things:

1. When I say ribed I mean that between the fender bolt holes the beading is raised (long oval looking)
2. The 1958 and 1959 for sure had the metal tubes on the fronts
3. The rears for sure are ribed

The pictures that I have seen of front fenders from the Bentley \"Workshop Manual\" are not very clear but they do not appear to be ribed.

Still curious to know if fronts are ribed? Anyone else with original 58-59 front fenders?

Thanks.

Bruce · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2006, 02:11:04 AM »

I found one early fender at a swap meet that has a wiring tube and a hole for a top mounted turn signal. It does not have the ribs between the bolt holes. I was told it was from a 58.

Lanny · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:39:07 AM »

Russ, could that front be a repop? I've bodyworked literally hundreds of beetle fenders and don't remember ever seeing a ribbed front.

Russ · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:53:39 AM »

no,
what it could be was me running my hand along it in a dark garage

i just pulled the fender out into the house to look at it, no ribs but it does have a seam(or ridge) that runs the whole length and i think that is what i felt
sorry for the confusion
russ

rustybus · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2006, 09:14:58 AM »

After reading this I had to go into the my crawl space and check for myself I have two mint fenders for my 58 euro the steel tubes are intact and there are no ribs . Then I checked the bullet fenders The tubes are rotted away and no ribs. hope this helps

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2006, 10:25:08 AM »

Thanks everyone for your assistance.

Chris,

Based on this info do you think the front fender you showed me is correct? I don't recall if the metal tube was there or used to be there?

Bullyboy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2006, 11:15:24 AM »

So I have a real good 58-59 drivers side
and a real good 60-64 drivers side for my 61' project but no pass side.

steveo_32 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2006, 11:14:26 PM »

I thought there was one original fender with the car? I remember there being one? Mind you I have had alot of cars and I have been wrong once! [_[

Bruce · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2006, 11:35:51 PM »

Quote

So I have a real good 58-59 drivers side
and a real good 60-64 drivers side for my 61' project but no pass side.

Most guys would never consider using a fiberglass fender, but in this case, I recommend an alternative until you find a good steel fender is to get a FR fiberglass fender from Airspeed. The fit of the FR 'glass fender is absolutely perfect. It should be because when Geoff made the mold, he used my NOS early FR fender. Everyone I've talked to that bought these fenders from AS has commented on how perfect the FR fender fits.

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2006, 11:45:49 PM »

Steveo,

That car has gone through so many people on this forum. I think it's the forum \"whore\". Unfortunately, there is not much left. The back fenders are repo's and the front passenger fender is a 64-66. The driver front fender may be a euro, since the only hole is one \"hacked out\" on top of the fender (i.e. the hole is to far back) and there is no oval turn signal either.

Bruce,

As far as fiberglass fenders. I can wait. The cars a long way from going on the road.

rustybus · « **Reply #20 on:** January 11, 2006, 12:32:14 AM »

Quote

I thought there was one original fender with the car? I remember there being one? Mind you I have had alot of cars and I have been wrong once! <_<

:unsure: Well um ya there was but that fender was a good trade feature to get one left front for the euro

rustybus · « **Reply #21 on:** January 11, 2006, 12:35:53 AM »

Quote

Thanks everyone for your assistance.

Chris,

Based on this info do you think the front fender you showed me is correct? I don't recall if the metal tube was there or used to be there?

I don't think that one had a tube I could be wrong thou I will check in the am

Bullyboy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2006, 08:18:01 AM »

We have tried fiberglass rear fenders before from CCC and they are awesome fit, finish and quality.