[Wanted: Parts] Cheapest outlet for parts?

[Marathon Man]

Hi.

I'm in the process of gathering parts for the 'future, some day' resto of the Marathon and am wondering if anyone (or everyone) has found any one particular supplier to be cheaper for parts than most others. I'll be trying the usual GSF, OTTO, VW Heritage, etc., but just putting out feelers (or even if anyone has any of the following just 'hanging around'... I'd gladly buy 'em).

I'll be looking to source items such as:

Heater channels
Front ¼’s left
Front ¼’s Right
Front bulk head lower repair
Front apron complete
Door pillar repair panels
Rear Apron
Bonnet
Front wings
Rear wings

And as usual, any information hugely appreciated.

Ta.

 

[Guest]

i have a rust free body i might be willing to splice down the centre. this would leave me with two complete beetle sides. i might be willing to sell them for the right price.

the body is in britts back yard though so hope you`re not in a hurry for it

 

[matt.]

In the boat as you man . I have to go down to Belfast in the next few weeks so will be getting some things for myself in GSF, if you want anything picked up or ordered.

 

[RattyOval]

Vwspares probably best prices vrs quality in Ireland

 

[Mikey]

Cheap parts are never good!

 

[Kevin O'Brien]

I have genuine front quarters available.

 

[Coxy]

VW Spares usually match the UK prices £-€ which is massive saving especially when you consider postage too.

If that didn't float your boat you could always talk to Britt (Roadcow) to see if he has any containers coming in over the next year. He has access to many solid rust free donor cars and you can as good as request specific panels to be cut to match your cars needs, and you just can't beat original factory metal quality.

 

[Marathon Man]

Cheap parts are never good!

I meant cheap prices... not cheap parts (as in quality) ...!

 

[Marathon Man]

I have genuine front quarters available.

Hi and thanks. She's a standard 1972 (tombstone rear) 1200. Would your front quarters match.. and if so what's your price..? PM me if necessary.

And either way thanks a mil for the reply. Very much appreciated.

 

[Marathon Man]

VW Spares usually match the UK prices £-€ which is massive saving especially when you consider postage too.

If that didn't float your boat you could always talk to Britt (Roadcow) to see if he has any containers coming in over the next year. He has access to many solid rust free donor cars and you can as good as request specific panels to be cut to match your cars needs, and you just can't beat original factory metal quality.

Thanks Coxy.
Just wondering if that doubles the workload/cost, as it obviously means someone having to remove the sections before someone else will have to weld them in...?
I get what you mean about genuine metal though.

Is there a huge difference between original metal and the metal used in the new repair sections?

 

[Guest]

Is there a huge difference between original metal and the metal used in the new repair sections?

massive

 

[Coxy]

Thanks Coxy.
Just wondering if that doubles the workload/cost, as it obviously means someone having to remove the sections before someone else will have to weld them in...?
I get what you mean about genuine metal though.

Is there a huge difference between original metal and the metal used in the new repair sections?

We used genuine sides for my '65 and it made life so much easier as they came with heater channels, quarters and more importantly the factory gaps and door pillar alignments were perfect as they came from rust free cars. They only make sense if Britt has a container coming in otherwise you'd spend an absolute fortune trying to get them home. If you're not in a rush then I'd go down that route as I'm sure Britt will have a container at some point. You could also look at getting a '72 rust free bodyshell which is just a part in itself so you wouldn't have to worry about it not being a Marathon. Your car is going to need a lot of panels so not much of the original metal will be left and it will take a long time to do whereas if you got a rust free 'shell you'd have your Marathon back on the road within a few months as all they'd have to do is weld in your RHD dash and paint the body.

There are loads of options available to you which is a great thing, all you have to do is decide which one works for you, your budget and your timescale.

 

[Marathon Man]

i have a rust free body i might be willing to splice down the centre. this would leave me with two complete beetle sides. i might be willing to sell them for the right price.

the body is in britts back yard though so hope you`re not in a hurry for it

Thanks for that...! What year is she and how 'rust free' is she? Also if she's that solid why split her down the middle..???? And last but not least..... €€€€...?????

 

[Endfloat]

I shopped around a lot when I was restoring my car for parts and did up a spreadsheet with quotes for the same parts from various suppliers. In nearly every instance VW spares came out on top, so that's where I go now. Not to mention that the 3 lads are sound and will help you with any questions you have.

 

[Mikey]

Not to mention that the 3 lads are sound and will help you with any questions you have.

But won't answer your calls.....

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that...! What year is she and how 'rust free' is she? Also if she's that solid why split her down the middle..???? And last but not least..... €€€€...?????

like i said before the shell is currently basking in the californian sun in britts back yard. to ship over the complete shell as a whole unit wouldn`t be financially viable, so what britt has done in the past is to cut up shells so they can be flat packed into a container along with some buses.

the shell i have is 72 or 73 i think. it`s solid as a rock but is missing the rear end from the luggage tray back.

as for $$ i`d need to talk to britt as he`d be the one doing the cutting, transporting and packing. if you are genuinely interested in taking this approach then let me know and i`ll make enquiries with britt

 

[Coxy]

It'd be financially beneficial if a complete 'shell could be brought back rather than cutting it up and then paying to weld it back up over here especially as he'd be paying an hourly rate to do it. I'm sure it can be packed in if there's not just Buses going in. If there was a cheap rolling 'shell he could do a ro/ro option.

 

[Mikey]

It'd be financially beneficial if a complete 'shell could be brought back rather than cutting it up and then paying to weld it back up over here especially as he'd be paying an hourly rate to do it. I'm sure it can be packed in if there's not just Buses going in. If there was a cheap rolling 'shell he could do a ro/ro option.

WHS!!!

Who wouldn't want to bolt on a rust free shell than going to the hassle of the cutting and welding, and you will save more $$ when your prepping the body for paint.

I wanted to keep my shell in my restoration for sentimental value, but it would have been cheaper and easier to do it like Cathal said.