Re: [T3] Bill and Steves fender beading

[BOB2TYPE3S@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/10/05 7:37:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
mysteriousj@snet.net writes:

<< 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. >>

Agreed. I'm not sure about Ford or Chrysler, but I know GM offers restoration 
parts thru their dealerships, and even has a program going where they 
actually authorize resto parts to be made (with the part being submitted for approval 
first). Most of those parts are required to meet or exceed the OE part too. 
It's a real shame VW didn't get into this in the mid to late 80's, while some 
of their factories were still producing air cooled cars. 

I do understand the complaints about the aftermarket crap that's currently 
available too. I've been fighting this very thing for over 16 years (a type3 
owner since 1989), with nothing really available for type3s. It's the smaller 
companies like ISP west and the DDB that are helping us keep our cars on the 
road. The DDB with their seeming endless suppy of parts car donors, and other good 
used stuff. ISP's fender beading is close to factory (with the "T" style), 
and a lot better than the roll stuff, and at least they're making an effort to 
repop some of the harder to find bits and pieces that we can all use sooner or 
later. I understand they're working on new AT front trans mounts. Now if some 
company would set up and repop the Fastback pop out window seals (currently 
NLA), I'm sure they would sell most of them that they produce almost 
immediately. I know there are a bunch of people (myself included) that would like a new 
set. I'm also sure this list could come up with a bunch of parts that we would 
like to see reproduced. : )

Bob 65 Notch S w/ Sunroof
       71 Square, now a 2 seat Roadster, pics can be seen at; 
http://volksrods.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2977 

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