Volkswagens (specifically the Beetle) were not offered in the U.S. until 1949, and only two were sold that first year. Nevertheless, within six short years, Volkswagen had sold over a million cars. Beetles are popular with many restorers, especially since the release of the new Beetle in 1998; however, Volkswagen made other popular models that have garnered interest with restorers and classic car enthusiasts. Type 3 notchbacks, wagons and squarebacks which were first offered in 1961, are also being seen more often at antique car and sports car events, as are Type 2 Buses, Things and Ghias. Many restoration parts for Beetles and other Volkswagen models can be found in your latest copy of Hemmings Motor News. An entire section of classified ads for VW parts and suppliers is listed each month, and many other parts and services sources are listed in other sections of the magazine and in our sister publication, Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car. We will be discussing some of these Volkswagen suppliers in this month’s column.
Many suppliers offer specific services for Volkswagens, but are listed elsewhere in the magazine. They are not necessarily just in the “Volkswagen Parts for Sale” section.
Nisonger Instruments offers a quality speedometer and tachometer rebuilding service for Volkswagen as well as many other American and European car makes. Each repaired unit comes with a one-year warranty.
Shop repair manuals, parts books and owner’s manuals for Volkswagen models are available from the Auto Book Center. Manuals for 1966-’93 VW models are listed on their website.
Custom stitched seat covers, and many other interior supplies, for Volkswagen and most car makes are offered by Automotive Interiors. Carpeting, headliners, dash covers, floor mats and window visors for new and classic cars are some of the other items Automotive Interiors sells for vintage, classic and new cars.
Rustbusters of California has many new gas tanks, installation straps and sending units available for classic and new vehicles; however, they can also rebuild virtually any gas tank to match original function and appearance.
Add-on or replacement seat belts for Volkswagen and most other makes are available from Andover Restraints. Lap and shoulder harness belts can be used to replace existing belts or to add safety to vehicles that were not equipped with seat belts originally. A wide range of colors and buckle types are offered, as are several racing-style harnesses and retractable seat belts.
Bumper Boyz specializes in chrome plating of your original bumpers. Their service can also chrome-plate grilles, potmetal, bumper guards and many trim pieces. Your bumpers will be straightened, if necessary, and carefully prepared before chroming to ensure a quality finish.
Speedometer repair for Volkswagen and many other foreign and domestic cars is available from Overseas Speedometer. Clock and motorcycle speedometer repair is also offered. Repairs come with a one-year warranty, and each unit will be refurbished and returned quickly. German and Swedish cars are their specialty.
Gas Tank Renu has repaired over one million gas tanks using their patented process. They can restore your original Volkswagen tank to its factory appearance, while protecting it against rust and road hazards.
Accessory fender skirts and windshield visors for Volkswagen Beetle and many other cars can be purchased from Agape Auto. All-steel fender skirts are patterned from original Foxcraft skirts and add a unique touch to your Bug, and visors are replicas of the accessories that were available in the late Fifties. Each of their products carries a 30-day risk-free return warranty.
Faxon’s Auto Literature has many Volkswagen manuals and literature available for both classic and newer models. Interchange manuals, reprints of original service manuals, and compilations of magazine articles about Volkswagens are all accessible in one easy phone call.
Sherman Associates sells quality replacement sheetmetal for American and imported makes. Volkswagen parts listed in their catalog include running boards, rocker and quarter panel patches and heater channels for Beetles, and wheel arches and door repair panels for Type 2 Transporter vans.
Volkswagen history books, service manuals and shop manuals can be purchased from Books 4 Cars. They currently list over 500 Volkswagen items in inventory, including Brooklands portfolios, Beetle customizing books, authenticity guidebooks and company histories. These make for interesting reading or are great for off-season research.
Tubes N Hoses can reproduce original brake, air conditioning, hydraulic or power steering hoses for Volkswagens and many other foreign and domestic cars. They can also reproduce many cable assemblies for throttle, brake, or heater controls, and repair hydraulic cylinders. Talk to the people at Tubes N Hoses for all of your steel brake or fuel line needs.
There are many advertisers in Hemmings Motor News whose main business focus is in supplying parts specifically for vintage Volkswagens. Most offer new aftermarket parts and accessories, but several used parts suppliers are also listed within the “Volkswagen Parts for Sale” section of the magazine.
M&T Manufacturing can supply VW owners with replacement parts for Beetle, Bus, Vanagon, Karmann Ghia and later Rabbits and Cabriolets. In addition to their specialty, convertible tops and convertible repair parts, M&T has a full range of mechanical, interior and trim parts for Volkswagen. Weatherstripping is also listed in their extensive catalog.
Vintage transaxles and parts for Beetles and Transporters can be tough to find, but Stuff Classic VW Transaxles knows these units inside and out and can supply you with a single part or a complete transaxle assembly for many older air-cooled Volkswagens as well as for the new water-cooled Buses and other models. Off-road and racing differentials can be purchased for dune buggies or 1/4-mile racers.
Sixties and Seventies Beetle parts are the specialty of Bug City. They have a large selection of used parts and both OEM and aftermarket new items. Used items available in good condition include engine and electrical parts, interior pieces and exterior details. New aftermarket parts include sheetmetal, clutch, brake, suspension and exhaust parts. New old stock pieces are available on request for restoration projects as well.
Airhead Parts carries an extensive inventory of new replacement parts for all air-cooled Volkswagen models. New items are becoming available every month with brand new replacement steering gear boxes, new side-view mirrors and Euromax carburetors among the new items recently added to their catalog and online website. Offerings from their 100-page catalog include Ghia interior parts and many exterior trim pieces.
Air-cooled Volkswagen parts and accessories can also be found at Mid-America Motorworks. Items for Beetle, Ghia, Thing, Bus and Type 3 are included in their comprehensive catalog. Weatherstripping and parts for transaxle, interior and electrical system are listed as well as aftermarket steering wheels, tools, car covers, repair manuals and road wheels. Supplies can be ordered online at their website or free catalogs are available upon request.
RAB Auto Parts has many used 1965-’79 Beetle and Super Beetle donor cars on hand with good sheetmetal still available. Doors, engine lids, glass and front hoods are on hand, as well as some body and mechanical items for Ghias and Sciroccos.
Used parts for air and water-cooled Volkswagens from 1967-’87 are offered at East West Auto Parts. Cars they are currently parting out include 1963-’76 Beetles, 1961-’80 Transporters/Vanagons and 1975-’83 Rabbit sedans and pickups. Golfs, Jettas and Scirocco donor cars are on hand as well. Rust-free body parts and good electrical and chassis parts can be shipped throughout the country.
LaVere’s VW Restorations can service or restore your classic Volkswagen as well as supply quality repair parts for it. In addition to offering replacement mechanical and electrical items, LaVere’s has many accessory parts available, including roof racks and Tents for Volkswagen campers. Pre-purchase inspections are also a specialty.
Replacement parts for late model and classic Volkswagen are offered at the Parts Place Incorporated. In addition to Beetle and Transporter replacement parts, they can supply Golf, A3, Cabrio, Jetta, Passat, Fox and Scirocco owners with maintenance and chassis parts. New replacement body panels are available for some models too.
California Import Parts Limited offers an extensive catalog of replacement parts for Beetle, Bus, Vanagon, Type 3 and Ghia. Easy online ordering is available on their website, and their availability ranges from engine and exhaust parts to convertible tops and camper parts.
Seven different catalogs of Volkswagen parts are available from West Coast Metric. 1946-’79 Beetles parts are listed as well as 1956-’74 Ghia, 1962-’74 Type 3 and 1950-’92 Bus, Transporter and Vanagon parts and accessories. Both OEM German and quality new aftermarket parts are offered. West Coast Metric has been selling Volkswagen replacement parts since 1977.
Wolfsburg West has been serving Volkswagen enthusiasts for over 20 years, and currently lists over 5,000 different part numbers in their catalog of new items for classic Volkswagen Beetle and Bus parts. Both aftermarket and original quality parts are listed on their website and in their print catalog.
To search for other Volkswagen-related information and news, be sure to check in at The Samba online. This is a great meeting place on the Internet for enthusiasts to post restoration pictures, search resources, ask questions and trade stories.
Many more advertisers listed in your monthly Hemmings Motor News will be able to assist you in your Volkswagen restoration project. You may not necessarily find them in the Volkswagen section of Hemmings or in our Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car “advertising marketplace”; however, these suppliers will have the experience and know-how to help you complete your classic car repair or ground-up restoration.
Sources
Agape Auto
812-423-7332
Airhead Parts
866-664-3724
Andover Restraints
410-381-6700
Auto Book Center
800-448-6244
Automotive Interiors
800-880-9118
Books 4 Cars
206-721-3077
Bug City
888-284-2489
Bumper Boyz
800-995-1703
California Import Parts Limited
800-313-3811
East West Auto Parts
800-447-2886
Faxon’s Auto Literature
800-458-2734
Gainesville Hydraulics/Tubes N Hoses
352-373-5255
Gas Tank Renu
800-997-3688
La Vere’s VW Restoration
925-935-2580
M&T Manufacturing
800-999-2892
Mid America Motorworks
866-377-2263
Nisonger Instruments
914-381-1952
Overseas Speedometer
800-444-0292
Parts Place Inc.
248-373-2300
RAB Auto Parts
860-345-2118
Rustbusters of California
800-901-8265
Sherman Associates
586-677-6800
Stuff Classic VW Transaxles
866-897-8833
The Samba
www.thesamba.com
West Coast Metric
800-247-3202
Wolfsburg West
951-549-0525
