V-dub.

[trikkonceptz]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

WHAT?!?

They are made of really thin gauge material... woe to the person that tries to step on one! You'll damage it for sure! So... the weight is negligible, and I'd bet the aero differences are so small as to be undetectable in fe.

Hate to be a stickler here, but the OEM German boards are not only heavy but really sturdy. If you are replacing the Brazilian aftermarket boards or the Mexican boards then yes, they have about as much metal as a Coke can with half the strength. Either way its a weight savings, minimal to a hummer, but perhaps more significant to a bug.

I would also remove the bumpers front and rear if you state allows it otherwise retro fit them with the early 60's single blade style. SInce they are made in Mexico they are really light. Perhaps finding the early 60's mirrors which are small and fit on the door hinges themselves. Moon covers are a given and readily available for bugs and if you are lookng to retrofit fenders some of the early 60's bettles had fender skirts available as a NOS option (New Old Stock). I may be able to find out what years had them available and if I can get my hands on some.

I also agree that the pre 67 front fenders with their larger enclosed headlights may provide less resistance that the ones you have now ... WOW ecomodding a bug .. heh ...

[trikkonceptz]

I would really like to know, the reality is finding a VW with original german running boards is rare in of itself nowadays. Easy to tell though, they are really thick and dont creek or bend when you stand on them. They were as strong as running boards are today for pick ups ...

[Cknarf]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Any idea what they weigh?

Somewhere between 'ow, my back' and 'oh ****, i think my testicles exploded'
These must be original, because the car couldn't support it. I didn't Take it off, it actually kinda fell....

[Cknarf]

Originally Posted by dremd

I always thought that the pre-66 fender/ headlights were more aero, just a theory, but definatley better slope angle. Is yours a "super"

Yes, it's a superbeetle.

[dremd]

there was an series in vw trends about hypermileing a bug a while ago. It is online someplace . . .

[Cknarf]

Do you think I should just take the front bumper off completely?
Do I really need a bumper? The previous owner hit a deer at 45MPH, and the car still looked like the pic, just a dent in the hood that popped out.

[trikkonceptz]

I say ditch em, but I love to live on the edge. However, my decision would weigh heavily on whether or not the POPO would be on your ass all the time about it.

[dremd]

I don't believe that the pre 66 fenders will fit on a super beetle.

I'd leave the front bumper and pull the rear, just my opinion. If you do remove the front bumper I'd at least run nerf bars.

[Cknarf]

I've also got a super-gay antenna flower that was left over from my mom. Should I leave it?

[JustThisGuy]

Originally Posted by dremd

there was an series in vw trends about hypermileing a bug a while ago. It is online someplace . . .

I'm pretty sure it was an article in Hot VWs, at first the articles were interesting, but then for some reason they completely abandoned their carb set up, which got them up to 38 mpg, without even bothering to check out more efficient distributors, or really even experimenting with the timing of the distributor or the jetting of the carbs, in favor of dumping a shiny new, rediculously expensive, electronic fuel injection on to their motor, which has to date only netted them 36 mpg. Go figure.