Door Striker Plate, Right Side, for Beetle 60-64

OVERVIEW

When it comes to the structural integrity and daily functionality of your vintage Volkswagen, few components are as critical yet overlooked as the door striker plate. This EMPI Right Side Door Striker Plate is engineered specifically for the 1960 through 1964 Beetle, a transitional era where VW refined their latching mechanisms for better safety and a tighter seal. If you have ever experienced the frustration of a door that rattles while driving, requires a violent slam to close, or worse, pops open unexpectedly while navigating a turn, the culprit is almost certainly a worn-out striker. Over decades of use, the metal-on-metal contact between the door latch and the striker plate creates grooves and thinning, leading to misalignment that puts unnecessary strain on your door hinges and latch assembly. Replacing your old, pitted hardware with this precision-stamped unit restores that satisfying, vault-like "thud" that classic air-cooled Volkswagens are famous for.

Crafted to meet or exceed original equipment specifications, this striker plate ensures your passenger-side door aligns perfectly with the body lines of your Type 1 Sedan or Convertible. It is manufactured from heavy-gauge steel and finished with a durable zinc plating to resist the moisture and humidity that typically lead to corrosion in the door jamb area. For the restorer aiming for a period-correct look and feel, this part provides the exact geometry required for the 1960-1964 latch style, which differs significantly from earlier "ice-pick" styles and later 1967-and-up square-style latches. Investing in a high-quality EMPI striker plate means you are not just fixing a minor annoyance; you are protecting your investment by ensuring the door remains securely fastened, maintaining the geometric squareness of the body tub during spirited driving or off-road excursions in a classic Baja bug conversion.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle (Sedan): 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964
• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle (Convertible): 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964
• Note: Fits Right (Passenger) Side Only for Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.

SPECS

• Product Name: Door Striker Plate, Right Side
• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Part Number: 111-837-036B
• OEM Reference: 111837036B
• Material: High-Strength Stamped Steel
• Finish: Corrosion-Resistant Zinc Plating
• Application Side: Right (Passenger Side)
• Mounting Hardware: Requires countersunk machine screws (sold separately)
• Weight: 0.35 lbs

PRO TIPS

1. Master the Alignment Art

Don''t just bolt the new striker plate down in the exact spot where the old one sat. The body of a 60-year-old Beetle has likely shifted slightly, or your door hinges might have minor wear. Loosely install the mounting screws so the striker can still move with a bit of resistance. Gently close the door to let the latch "center" the striker plate. Once the door is flush with the rear quarter panel, carefully open the door and tighten the screws. This ensures the latch hits the "sweet spot" of the striker, preventing premature wear on both components and ensuring a weather-tight seal against your door rubber.

2. Use an Impact Driver for Removal

The original factory screws holding your old striker plate in place have likely been there since the early 1960s. They are notorious for being seized due to paint or light surface rust. Before you attempt to remove them with a standard screwdriver, which will almost certainly strip the heads, use a manual hand-impact driver (the kind you strike with a hammer). The downward force keeps the bit seated deeply in the screw head while the internal cam mechanism applies high torque to break the "stiction." This simple tool will save you hours of drilling out snapped or stripped fasteners.

3. Lubricate for Longevity

Once your new EMPI striker plate is installed and perfectly aligned, avoid the temptation to leave the metal dry. A dry striker plate leads to "galling," where the metal surfaces tear into each other. However, you also want to avoid heavy grease that attracts dust and grit, which acts like sandpaper. I recommend a light coating of white lithium grease or, even better, a dry PTFE (Teflon) spray. This provides the necessary lubrication for the latch to glide over the striker without creating a sticky mess that will ruin your upholstery or your clothes as you enter and exit the vehicle.