chrome or polished firewall

Years ago I made of a set of side and back panels out of aluminum.  I didn't like how they looked (too flashy), so I ended up painting them black. 

I have the VW louver stainless steel firewall panel I was going to try to fit on mine - add a little fire protection, I think, plus whould brighten up the engine compartment. 

i made my own out of anodized aluminum.  i piece.

really not that hard with the motor out.  made a template out of cardboard, cut with jigsaw, slid right in.  help in via the shape and two bolts.  edges trimmed with soft rubber vacuum hose sliced down the middle.

huge sheet of aluminum i think was $60.  hose was ~$10 IIRC

thanks for the replys--anyone have pics of their firewall installation--im not taking the motor out for this---if I do it at all   email    jfreeman65@optonline.net

I did my own also out of aluminum for my Beck. Like Paul, I made cardboard templates and cut to fit. Pretty simple. When I completed the fit, I took a belt sander to them, gave it a "brushed" look and applied a "Sharkhide" (get it through Eastwood or direct) finish to it. After three seasons the "Sharkhide" application has held up very nicely, it even protected well from a battery acid spill.

Here's how it looks in a Beetle.

Years ago I put a three piece set in my Baja Bug, but I did it when I had the engine out for some repairs.

@Rich - Those aluminum tins you fabricated came out pretty dang nice! 

Here is the " how to" post Mango shared on his firewall project.  It's on my winter to do list. ;-) incredible workmanship!!    when I grow up I want to be just like him!

https://www.speedsterowners.com/topic/my-diy-firewall

Thanks Jim, it's starting to seem like ages ago when I did that.

Hey Rich!!  Could you please send me a copy of your patterns for pieces 5 and 6?  ...oh...wait...thats for a beck...right?  Do you have patterns for a vintage or cmc?

Thanks,

Mike

I use aluminum foil to make patterns---easy to shape and it holds its shape-usually double the thickness first

When I did mine I used a couple of sheets of poster board (also called bristle board).

Mango - Rich:

CAD = cardboard aided design

:-)