Bumper Conversion Bracket, Beetle 68-73 To Early, Front

OVERVIEW

Transforming the aesthetic of your late-model Volkswagen Beetle has never been easier than with the EMPI Front Bumper Conversion Bracket set. For many air-cooled enthusiasts, the bulky, boxy "Europa" style bumpers found on 1968 through 1973 models lack the sleek, timeless elegance of the earlier "blade" style bumpers. These conversion brackets provide the ultimate solution, allowing you to bridge the generational gap by mounting pre-1967 style bumpers directly onto your later chassis. By utilizing these precision-engineered brackets, you can achieve that coveted "Cal-Look" or vintage restoration appearance without the need for expensive bodywork, welding, or permanent modifications to your front apron. It is the perfect upgrade for the owner who appreciates the mechanical improvements of the late sixties and early seventies Beetles but demands the iconic silhouette of the early eras.

Crafted with durability and ease of installation in mind, these brackets are manufactured from heavy-gauge steel to ensure a rigid, vibration-free mount for your new chrome. Each bracket is finished in a high-quality, satin black powdercoat that not only provides a clean look behind the bumper but also offers superior resistance against road debris, moisture, and corrosion. Because these are designed specifically to adapt the 1968-1973 bumper mounting points to the narrower bolt pattern of the early blades, they maintain the correct height and distance from the body for a factory-correct fit. Whether you are building a custom show car or simply want to clean up the lines of your daily driver, these EMPI conversion brackets represent the gold standard in air-cooled VW body styling accessories, ensuring your Beetle stands out at the next local meetup or vintage rally.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Beetle (Standard): 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
• Note: Designed specifically for Standard Beetle models with the flat windshield and torsion bar front end.
• Note: These brackets are intended for the FRONT bumper application only.

SPECS

• Part Number: 15-2045-0
• Brand: EMPI
• Material: Heavy-duty stamped steel
• Finish: Satin Black Powdercoat
• Application: Front Bumper Conversion
• Compatibility: Adapts early-style (pre-1967) bumper blades to late-style (1968-1973) mounts
• Quantity: Sold as a pair (Left and Right)

PRO TIPS

1. Proper Seal Selection is Critical

When performing this conversion, remember that you cannot use the standard 1967-and-earlier bumper seals or the stock 1968-and-later seals. You must use specific "Conversion Bumper Seals." These seals are designed with a larger outer diameter to fit the larger holes in your 1968-1973 fenders, but they feature a smaller inner opening tailored to the profile of these conversion brackets. Installing the correct seals will prevent water from entering your fender wells and ensure a professional, gap-free finish that looks like it came from the Wolfsburg factory that way.

2. Pre-Assemble and Test Fit Before Final Tightening

To achieve perfect bumper alignment, it is highly recommended to loosely bolt the brackets to the bumper blade first, and then offered the entire assembly up to the vehicle. Volkswagen bodies can vary slightly over the decades due to previous accidents or aging body mounts. By keeping the hardware finger-tight, you can shift the bumper left or right and up or down to ensure it is perfectly level with the front apron. Once you are satisfied with the symmetry, tighten the bracket-to-body bolts first, followed by the bumper-to-bracket carriage bolts to lock everything into place.

3. Protect Your Chrome with Stainless Hardware

Nothing ruins a fresh conversion faster than rust streaks running down your new chrome bumpers. When installing these brackets, we always suggest using high-quality stainless steel carriage bolts and washers. While the brackets themselves are powdercoated for protection, the mounting hardware is often exposed to the elements. Using stainless steel ensures that your mounting points remain rust-free and easy to adjust in the future. Additionally, apply a small amount of anti-seize to the threads to prevent galling, which is a common issue with stainless hardware in high-vibration environments like an air-cooled VW front end.