Re: [T3] Bill and Steves fender beading

[Mysterious J <mysteriousj@snet.net>]

<x-flowed>I don't know whether this is a problem specific to Bill and Steve's, or 
a symptom of a bigger issue.  When I started working on our Fastback, I 
figured I would use as many resto parts as I could, as a short cut to 
making the car look newer.  Problem was that most of the aftermarket 
resto parts I bought was crap.  Can't describe it any other way.  Pure 
crap.  In some cases laughably so.  I kept the headlight switch knob, 
driver side mirror, and taillight seals I purchased, just to remind me 
of this from time to time.  Since then, I've been taking my time and 
collecting as much NOS stuff as possible, including fender beading.  I 
picked up a set from Mr. Hanover a year or two ago, and while it its a 
variety of colors and will need to be painted to match, its the correct 
shape and profile.

Its too bad that despite the potential market out there for VW resto 
parts (and to a lesser extend, Type 3 specific resto parts) the quality 
available is pathetic.  If 60's muscle cars is your thing, you can 
almost build an entire car out of aftermarket parts that look and feel 
as good if not better than NOS and last as long if not longer.  Even the 
vast majority of the aftermarket bug parts I see out there is crap.

The blame for this is squarely on Volkswagen.  While the Big 3 
manufacturers support the collector hobby in one way or another, 
Volkswagen, like the kid from the "wrong side of the tracks" who makes 
something of himself, is ashamed of its history.  The company would like 
to create a clean break from its aircooled past, while at the same time 
rabidly protecting its copyrights and trademarks.   The aftermarket 
parts out there are for the most part cheap knock offs because of this.

Jim
'68 Fastback



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