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Sat Apr 08, 2017 5:43 pm

Looking to buy bumpers and brackets for my 1969 bug. Wolfsburg has them listed dad triple chrome. Jbugs also has triple chrome bumpers for lower cost. Are which ones are better quality or are they the same?

Sat Apr 08, 2017 5:46 pm

go with WW

Sat Apr 08, 2017 6:03 pm

Let me 'splain....Most of the aftermarket bumpers have really poor plating and they start to rust quickly. I am only familiar with WW early bumpers - but what they do is use a Brazilian or similar bumper (not as heavy as OEM) and have them plated themselves. I have a set on my 65 that have been on the car for 9 years or so....Not a spec of rust. Have seen other brands that are 2 years old with surface rust....

"Triple plating" is simply as description of the standard chrome plating process. Has no indication of the quality.

Sat Apr 08, 2017 6:27 pm

Ive been pleased with the WW bumpers.

Sat Apr 08, 2017 7:09 pm

So the WW bumpers are not Brazilian? Are they as
Heavy as originals? They list them as restoration quality.

Sat Apr 08, 2017 7:31 pm

Memminger makes the only correct reproduction of the 1968-1973 bumpers in 2 mm steel with good chrome. They cost around $500 each after you subtract the 19% German VAT and add shipping to the U.S. Germany does not tax its own exports.

http://www.feine-cabrios.de/produktion/karosserie-blechteile/#stossstangen

This may be the same bumper, but you would have to ask CSP to be sure.

http://www.csp-shop.com/cgi-bin/cshop2/front/shop_...0&all=

http://www.csp-shop.com/cgi-bin/cshop2/front/shop_...0&all=

I think that WW takes a Brazilian Belfex bumper and re-chromes it in the U.S., in which case it would be 1.5 mm thick, but I have not seen one to measure it with a caliper. In any event, it's a decent alternative for about half the price. You can also occasionally find NOS or have an OG bumper re-chromed. I would not consider any other reproduction bumpers on the market due to thin metal, poor chrome, or both.

Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:02 am

Couple of years ago someone wacked the corner of my front bumper. I caught them. Well his insurance company paid for the most expensive bumper I could find. Yes Wolfburg West is the place. Get that one.

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113707103DWW

Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:27 am

About 10 years ago when I did my restoration I went with the cheapest I could find ( I think it was Mid America junk) I was on a tight, raising 5 kids, budget......go with the best you can afford but also wax the bumpers regularly and keep the back / insides painted.......after 10 years and at least 3 of those years parked on the street, my thin cheapo chrome bumpers still look like new.

Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:38 am

In UK you can get stainless steel bumpers . Not cheap though http://www.groupharrington.com/en/page/42/about-bumpers.html

Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:42 am

Thanks. Will be getting WW ones.

Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:42 am

johnboy715 wrote: So the WW bumpers are not Brazilian? Are they as
Heavy as originals? They list them as restoration quality.

Did you read what I posted?

Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:22 pm

I just ordered front and rear bumpers for my 72 super from CIP1. They were on sale for $$160 each. I'll let you know how they look when they come in this week. They will be better than what's on the car right now.
Thanks
STEAK

Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:25 am

Was researching replacement bumper options a while back (due to unfortunate run-in with some felons fleeing police: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670551&highlight=), and thought I'd share what I've found out so far.

-- Evidently the original German stock VW Beetle bumpers were made out of 2.0 mm thick steel, and weighed approximately 10.25 lb. each.

-- The bumpers made in Brazil a little later on were supposedly made from 1.5 mm thick steel, and weighed about 7.5 lb. apiece.

-- The aftermarket bumpers commonly available today (made in China, maybe - ?) are supposedly usually made from 1.0 mm thick steel, and weighing about 5.5 lb. each.

-- When I talked to the folks at WW, they said that their bumpers were made from steel about "30% thicker" than the commonly available aftermarket bumpers available nowadays (so say 1.3 mm thick - ?), and weigh in at 6.2 lb. each.

One thing to keep in mind with regards to these numbers is that the bending stiffness of steel sheet generally varies with the cube of its thickness. So, for example, the original stock 2.0 mm thick bumpers would be about 8X stronger / more resistant to bending than the 1.0 mm thick bumpers commonly available nowadays.

Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:40 pm

These seem like they should be one of, if not the, best options, I wonder how thick they are: http://www.groupharrington.com/en/part/154/vw-beetle-late-type-europa-bumpers-1968-1974.html

There are many complaints about the "best" WW bumpers rusting quickly, so stainless would be cool, but apparently GroupHarrington has had some nasty fitment issues, which you can read about here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=258203&highlight=group+harrington

Although it seems like there isn't too much that could go wrong with these simple blades. But anyway, probably not worth the gamble of price and shipment across the pond. Too bad, another case of good intent with poor execution.

Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:49 pm

i bought stainless europas from harrinton and they fitted perfectly and still look good but i have heard mixed reports about fit . Perhaps i was just lucky :D

Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:08 pm

A few years back I found an OG bumper with the over-riders in pretty good shape, rusty but straight. I sand blasted it and painted it black. All in it cost me about $100. About 2 months later an old lady backed into me at a stop light and ruined my new old bumper. However, at the time MAM was selling "oem thickness" bumpers in bare steel for $99. I bought one. Compared to the OG bumper I had, it was indeed similar thickness and weight. I primed and painted that one and its still on the car today.
If one were to be painting or chroming a bumper themselves I would suggest this route if they or another supplier still has these bare steel bumpers. I wish I knew or took note of the manufacturer at the time.
My rear bumper, which I've had forever, was a cheapo aftermarket chrome bumper which rusted up pretty badly and I blasted and painted that too. Still on the car and, not even joking, you can bend it by hand. Total garbage.
TL;DR- buy good bumpers.

I still have the OG painted front bumper if anyone wants one. Needs some straightening... :lol:

Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:27 pm

I have the stainless on my bug and have been very pleased! 3 years now and still look great. I had no issues with fitment, guess I was lucky too

Mon Apr 10, 2017 5:42 pm

Perhaps most of the fitment issues are with the earlier, multi-piece bumpers with overriders and "towel bars." Again, there's not much that can go wrong with the '68-on blades as far as fit.

Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:22 pm

Well, I got the new bumpers in yesterday, they look great. When I took the digital caliper to them, they measure out at 1.1 mm. The bumpers that were on the car were 1.8mm. they sure are light. Hopefully they hold up.

STEAK

Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:42 pm

Was there a manufacturer's stamp or label on the new bumpers?