Rear Apron, for Beetle 68-74, Super Beetle 71-74

EMPI Rear Apron for 1968-1974 VW Beetle and Super Beetle

When it comes to restoring the iconic silhouette of your air-cooled Volkswagen, the rear apron is a critical component that often bears the brunt of decades of road debris, moisture, and potential rear-end collisions. This EMPI replacement rear apron is engineered to provide the structural foundation and aesthetic finish required for a professional-grade restoration. Whether you are dealing with the common rust that occurs around the engine seal lip or you are repairing impact damage, this panel offers the precision fit necessary to bring your Beetle back to factory standards. As an essential part of the rear body assembly, it serves as the mounting point for the rear engine seal and helps define the gap between the decklid and the body, ensuring your engine bay remains protected from the elements while maintaining the classic look of your bug.

Designed specifically for the transition years of the late 1960s and early 1970s, this apron features the correct 6-7/8 inch measurement from the seal lip to the top edge, ensuring compatibility with the specific body lines of the 1968-1974 Standard Beetle and the 1971-1974 Super Beetle. It is manufactured from high-quality stamped steel, providing the rigidity and weldability that professional body technicians and DIY enthusiasts demand. Please note that like most replacement sheet metal in the industry, this part arrives in a storage primer meant to prevent flash rust during transit. It will require standard body preparation, including sanding and priming, to achieve a show-quality finish. Investing in a dedicated replacement panel like this one is far more efficient than attempting to patch multiple rust holes, saving you countless hours of fabrication work while providing a much cleaner final result for your project.

Detailed Vehicle Fitment

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle (Standard): 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
• Volkswagen Super Beetle: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 111-813-301K
• Material: Heavy-Duty Stamped Steel
• Finish: Black Storage Primer (Requires sanding and final paint)
• Vertical Dimension: 6-7/8 Inches from seal lip to top edge
• Installation Type: Weld-in component
• Placement: Rear of vehicle, below the decklid
• Compatibility: Fits models with the late-style "bulged" rear apron design

Master Specialist Pro Tips

Tip 1: Strip the Storage Primer for Superior Adhesion

Don''t make the mistake of painting directly over the black coating that comes on the apron. This is a shipping primer designed solely to prevent corrosion while the part sits in a warehouse. For a long-lasting finish, you must sand this coating off or use a chemical stripper. Once you are down to bare metal, apply a high-quality epoxy primer. This ensures that your final paint job won''t flake or peel off in a few years, and it provides a much better surface for any minor body filler work that might be needed to smooth out the transition lines.

Tip 2: Mock Up with the Decklid and Fenders First

Before you strike the first arc with your welder, it is absolutely vital to mock up the entire rear end of the car. Secure the apron using Cleco fasteners, vice grips, or sheet metal screws, then hang your rear fenders and install the decklid. Check the weatherstrip channel alignment and ensure the decklid latch clears the apron correctly. If you weld it in place without checking these gaps, you might find that your decklid doesn''t close or that the body lines are crooked. It is much easier to shift a screw-held panel by an eighth of an inch now than it is to cut out a fully welded apron later.

Tip 3: Seal the Hidden Seams for Rust Prevention

The rear apron area