Headlights

The chrome headlight surrounds on my '01 VS look like crap. VS doesn't sell just the chrome, and I really don't want to pay $60/headlight. Does anyone know if the 46-66 Beetle headlight units (as seen here: http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D111%2D941%2D037%2DC&CartID=2) work, or am I stuck with buying new buckets et all to replace some crappy trim?

John

I don't know what VS uses, but I assume it is the '46-'66 Beetle headlight. It is, in fact, the same unit as used on original Porsche 356s.

You can get the chromed rims almost anywhere these days, but be VERY CAREFUL to buy only the show quality chrome variety. The others pretty nearly rust on route to your house.

Way better off going to TheSamba and finding a good pair of original assemblies, taking the pieces that you need and keeping the rest of the mechanisms for spares. I went through almost ten buckets just to get two good ones for the '55, now I have to repeat all of it for the SC.

The repro lights and VW bumpers and most every piece that requires chrome plating is really just junk right now. Completely! Lots of builders are resorting to having new chromed repro pieces re-chromed on delivery. The nipple-style hub caps on the market right now are a perfect example of this problem.

To answer your question . . . all Beetle light assemblies from '46 to '66 and Bus lights through '67 will fit perfectly, and are used on the replicas and earlier 356's. At some point the original 356 assemblies dropped the parking light option, but that's another issue.

Luck ! !

Thanks for the answers, guys. I ordered the buckets from CIP, and I was planning on getting the rings re-chromed as soon as I got them. I noticed that stoddards has the bucket assembly for around $48 (http://www.stoddard.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=2026). I wonder if their chrome is any better?

What really sucks is that every bit of chrome on my VS is pitted, and sadly, Kirk can't (or won't) just sell the chrome bits. I called VS yesterday to ask about bucket compatibility. They said that nothing else will fit, and the buckets they use are custom made.

John

John; what I've done is re-chrome some of those items to just forget about them; otherwise you'll be buying new ones every couple of years.

I bought the headlight buckets from Stoddards. They're an exact fit for my VS, and the quality of the chrome and other bits appears to be a bit better than what came with the car.

John