Sports Bug Restoration Options

[toddb]

Hello Everyone
I Just wanted to introduce myself, I just picked up a Superbeetle earlier this year from out west here in Canada, relatively solid, I've been disassembling it and grinding out all the surface rust so far. It has a few bad spots, which I'm cutting out and replacing with Aftermarket repair panels, I just ordered $1700 worth of Bug sheet metal pieces from CIP1 yesterday (should arrive 9-12 days) my plan is to have it all welded up primed and painted by the year end, then the re-assembly will begin in the new year.
My plan is to have it completed as a '73 Sports Bug in Marathon Metallic, I have a good set of front and rear Sports Seats and a really good Sports Steering wheel, I have a full set of Sport Rims which I will get sand blasted then powder coated in silver, new Sport caps and Lug covers just arrived today from Wolfsburg West.
I’m hoping to have it completed by next summer.

How difficult is it for a Body shop now days to paint it with the original paint code (L96M)?

What's every ones opinion on a few uncertainties I have:
1) The stripe in the middle of the Black bumpers, I have an old advertisement which is an actual photograph that includes two Sports Bugs one Yellow and one Blue, the stripe is definitely chrome, the VW of America ad (ref: my avatar) and the official VW Sports Bug brochure indicate that it's body color but these are kind of cartoonish? I found a factory picture of a Blue Sporty coming down the assembly line it’s really hard to tell but the stripe appears blue any suggestions? (see below)
2) I've read a few threads on this so far but though I would raise the question again...headlight rings and front signal housings, chrome or black?
3) Does anyone really know for sure what the finish of the exterior black trim was like in 1973, or how to restore it authentically, were they painted or black anodized, who does anodizing, or what’s the best way to achieve the black finish.
4) Interior carpet color, Black, or Salt and Pepper again for an authentic look what would be suggested?
5) last but not least the hood I picked up has the provision for the round VW emblem (up near the cowl) I've read that this emblem was discontinued mid production for the '73 Super, so some have them some don't, I really like this piece and was wondering if it would be out of place done in black on the Sports Bug, or for authenticity should I fill in the holes and not install one? I've never seen a Sports Bug with it.







Thanks everyone
Todd

This post has been edited by toddb: Oct 24 2009, 01:17

[73sports]

It is my understanding that the stripe on the bumper is supposed to match the body color which ever it was. I have a copy of that first ad you posted too. I'm not fully convinced the car on the bottom is really a sports, I think it may just have the stripe kit installed on it. All the original sports bugs I have seen had chrome on the headlights and signals, When I redid my car I did thoes in black, the chrome does not look right to me. I went with the best pieces of original carpet I could find, to me nothing aftermarket looks as good. Sports bugs were produced later in the 73 model year so they didn't have the hood emblem, and I don't think I have seen one except for in the brochure. Since you are building a triblte car, do what you want. The point of having it is to make you happy.

[RidinRetro1973]

From what I've read, chrome rings/signals were on the earlier Sports, later cars had black. I've seen more Marathon Metallic with chrome, and Saturn Yellow with black.

When I turned my '72 into a "semi-sports", I did all the trim in satin black. It looks to be the closest to what the orignals had. You just have to make sure that you scuff up any chrome bits so the paint sticks to it. Rattle can will work just fine.



Ryan

[fast Ed]

Todd, for what it's worth, the Marathon metallic car that I brought home from Calgary last year had chrome headlight rings and signal covers.

Looking forward to some pics of the finished product, and maybe we'll bump in to each other at one of the southern Ontario VDub shows next summer.


cheers,
Ed N.

[GatorJZ]

I am at the end of restoring a Marathon Metallic. It is in for paint as I type. My bumpers had body colored tape stripes. Mine came with black headlight trim (mine is definitely an original Sports Bug...my "birth certificate" even reflects the special package and it has every piece of the trim package...seats, wheels and steering wheel) and chrome turn signal covers. I have removed every piece of black trim on the car and everything, including the bumpers, is being powdercoated satin black. I am also doing that to the turn signal covers just to be consistent. I will have the bumper stripes painted on in body color.

I have never seen a Sports Bug with the hood emblem. The color of the headlight trim rings does not follow any discernible pattern...I believe it was a function of whatever was handy at the time of assembly.

Good luck with your project, it will be well worth the effort.

This post has been edited by GatorJZ: Oct 31 2009, 00:38

[toddb]

Hi Guys

I just found a couple more pictures on the web of stock "73 Sports Bugs in Marathon Blue, I'm convinced the center stripes on the bumpers are to be body color.



This post has been edited by toddb: Nov 15 2009, 04:22