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Wanted: EB Front Wheel Arches

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Whistler

Well-known member
Supporting Member
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Nov 28, 2012
Messages
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Location
Herne Bay, Kent
Year of Your Van(s)
1970
Van Type
Devon
Hi all,

After a horrendous weekend trying to get the Kloken-whatevers to fit I've given up. So I am after some front wheel arch cuts in good condition, correct shape, no rust, no holes etc!

I've phoned around the usual importers, Karman Konnection, VW Relics, Volksheaven and FBI but no-one has any (seems we are all too busy restoring busses nowdays rather than breaking them :)!)

This is my last try before I order a set from Klassic Fab.

Thanks!
 
I have been after some too, Klassic fab seem the only option. Not found pictures of any fitted to a bay yet though
 
Mark,

have you tried Mark @ http://www.mcjproducts.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
marcher said:
Mark,

have you tried Mark @ http://www.mcjproducts.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair some lovely bits on this site!!!! Anyway I digress, I originally bought flared arches aftermarket for mine but they were a nightmare to fit ended up biting the bullet and sourcing NOS arches from Germany at considerable cost in excess of 500 euro that was 2 years ago. However Andrew who's doing all my body work was so impressed he went out and bought a NOS set for his a year ago for £500 they are out there but you got to be willing to pay the money.
For cut outs try Kev @ Volksheaven, always found them excellent. Happy searching. Ben
 
bobbyt said:
have you tried a.schofield for your panels... i found them ok

Cheers Bob, I will give them a call today. £96, not bad! I can always try one, and if I don't like it, send it back!

slowmo said:
I have been after some too, Klassic fab seem the only option. Not found pictures of any fitted to a bay yet though

I've seen a thread somewhere, as I remember the green panels. Fairly certain it wasn't arches though. From what I've found it seems NOS panels, then Autocraft (don't make front arches annoyingly....) and then KF close behind.

marcher said:
Mark, have you tried Mark @ http://www.mcjproducts.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No, strangely I didn't. I will give him a shout today and see what he has! Thanks!!

Bay-low71 said:
Fair some lovely bits on this site!!!! Anyway I digress, I originally bought flared arches aftermarket for mine but they were a nightmare to fit ended up biting the bullet and sourcing NOS arches from Germany at considerable cost in excess of 500 euro that was 2 years ago. However Andrew who's doing all my body work was so impressed he went out and bought a NOS set for his a year ago for £500 they are out there but you got to be willing to pay the money. For cut outs try Kev @ Volksheaven, always found them excellent. Happy searching. Ben

Haha yeah, so many shiny things!!! Definately a site I will use when we get to that stage :) I have been asking for NOS ones to the suppliers here but no luck. It seems to me that rocking horse poo and NOS arches are in the same category now. And £500 +/- 2 years ago, means more now I would have thought. I would be tempted if I am able to find them, but calling people here so far no luck. Did you have to contact people in Germany etc?

I tried Volksheaven based on a recommendation from MattP. Unfortunately they don't have any at the moment but I must say, real nice guy. I'll definately keep his number.

Oh, one other thought, anyone think people might have something at Volksworld?

Thanks for all the comments guys!
 
I had/ have the same problem.

In the end I bit the bullet and ordered a pair from Klassicfab.
Once I've paid Duty and VAT the cost will be over £500....

They're due in about 2 weeks so I'll let you know what they're like then if you want.
 
I had a different experience with Volksheaven.
Reserved a pair of arches for collection of dubfreeze, got there and they denied all knowledge of me speaking to them. Obviously sold them to someone else prior to me getting there :roll:
 
So I've made some more calls today, MCJ Products has some coming in, in around 4 weeks or so, around £250 + VAT each. Schofields only sell the poor quality reproductions. Splitvan-Ovalbug don't have any and Southwest Splitz don't either.

I found BusOk (on this site), and he has a NOS one but only one side left.

It looks like I am going to have to punt for Klassic Fab as well.
 
If they were at Volksworld you'd problem have to be first through the gates with your running legs, shorts and trainers on :)

Do have a contact in the Netherlands who thinks he knows of some available will keep you informed.....Ben
 
Bay-low71 said:
If they were at Volksworld you'd problem have to be first through the gates with your running legs, shorts and trainers on :)

Do have a contact in the Netherlands who thinks he knows of some available will keep you informed.....Ben

Haha! Well actually, BusOk will be at VolksWorld with the right side arch for all those interested. He wants £450.00 for it.

Cheers Ben, that would be great!!
 
Hello

I buy some part from sussex kamper parts.co.uk

very good i think on price

and ship fast

they may to see if they have your parts

Karl
 
Thanks for the mention Karl,

Unfortunately we don't have any early bay arch cuts. However we have fitted Klassic Fab arches to a customers van in the past, along with a KF cab floor. Bought them through Musclebus and took a while to arrive but when they did they were pretty good. Much better than the black panel rubbish we've all had to use in the past. I did find that the N/S arch was a little out of shape but this appeared to have been down to travel damage rather than manufacture error. It is extremely useful that they are sold in two halves (inner and outer) because you can coat the whole thing with plenty of paint before assembly meaning it should last a nice long while. One thing worth noting, make sure ALL the green paint if completely clear of the edges you are welding, unlike most of the black repro panels where any trace left of the black prior to welding burns away easily, the green likes to get involved. Christ knows what sort of paint it is but it certainly doesn't like to have a welder put anywhere near it.

A few pics of the KF wheel arches and floor fitted.
P1011422_zps891bf896.jpg


P6290010_zps47566eee.jpg


P6290005_zpsc837b34d.jpg


P7100115_zpsac545f7f.jpg


P7170194_zps072ea215.jpg
 
Bay-low71 said:
It must be the same one as he only has RHS. seems a bit steep but I will say, very good fit. Shame hasn't a pair. Ben

True, but £900 for 2 arches is way out of my budget unfortunately.

KARL ARVID STENBERG said:
Hello

I buy some part from sussex kamper parts.co.uk

very good i think on price

and ship fast

they may to see if they have your parts

Karl

Thanks Karl, I did look through their site on Sunday and didn't see any arches on there, but I did write their number down to call today.
Sussexkampers said:
Thanks for the mention Karl,

Unfortunately we don't have any early bay arch cuts. However we have fitted Klassic Fab arches to a customers van in the past, along with a KF cab floor. Bought them through Musclebus and took a while to arrive but when they did they were pretty good. Much better than the black panel rubbish we've all had to use in the past. I did find that the N/S arch was a little out of shape but this appeared to have been down to travel damage rather than manufacture error. It is extremely useful that they are sold in two halves (inner and outer) because you can coat the whole thing with plenty of paint before assembly meaning it should last a nice long while. One thing worth noting, make sure ALL the green paint if completely clear of the edges you are welding, unlike most of the black repro panels where any trace left of the black prior to welding burns away easily, the green likes to get involved. Christ knows what sort of paint it is but it certainly doesn't like to have a welder put anywhere near it.

That's a shame, well crossing you guys off my list I have managed to dig out another 9 numbers to call today. If no luck KF it is. I really appreciate you showing some pics and commenting. I had read about the panels somewhere before, but never the wheel arches. They look like a tidy fit, and just to hear you state they are better than Klonken-whatever. It also amazed me that when I took the cheap one apart on Sunday that they only coated the outside, the inside already had rust spots on them....they are barely 2 months old. Shocking...

Again, much appreciated for the pics.
 
All sorted! Great chap from VW Evolution delivered a pair to Volksworld today for me :D :D

He does have 3 or 4 left hand side cuts available. One I saw, is in very good condition, and pics of another - also in very good condition, if anyone in interested. Google VW Evolution or PM me and I can pass on their number. Might be also worth bearing in mind for other cuts, as from talking to him, I think he has everything!!
 
SLOWMO..
i went to dub freeze and asked volksheaven if they had some arch cuts and (he said i have a set that a customer is collecting) and they were mint..i did try :oops: to buy them :oops: for more money than he wanted but he said NO!
i think he was asking £150 each. i went up to £180 still got a NO.
 

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