NEW Group Buy feeler for fiberglass headliners WITH and without SUNROOFS!!!

[Beetlemania]

New update!!!

I have an order of 10 headliners being processed now and the money is on its way. In a couple more weeks I believe I'll be ready to send the money to the shop to get the order filled.

These are from Top Shop customization shop out of South Dakota. They usually sell for $330, but we could get free shipping with a group buy of 10 or more. We may need to adjust the price a little bit, probably somewhere around $265 at the most, to cover fabrication costs for getting a sunroof version made.

Here's what the hardtop version looks like, again.


They come unpainted gelcoat, either white or black, on at least 3 layers of fiberglass. Shipping would be insured by the manufacturer.

It will probably take at least 1 month to get the new mold made for the sunroof version, so those would take a little longer. From the time the order is sent in, it might take 6 weeks for all to be received.

Post away, everybody!

[DannyRandomState]

WOO HOO!!

I'm still in!

Oh yeah? I've been meaning to ask. Is the gel coat white or another color?

[Beetlemania]

I think it's white, Danny, though I don't remember for sure. I'll contact them again tomorrow if I have the chance and let you know for sure!

[anitx]

..heeeeeeeeeeey

that's kind'o cool!

[who_me285]

how much are these with the sunroof?

[Beetlemania]

Sorry, been super busy the last few days, and the computer had issues at the same time!

Danny, I'll find out the gelcoat color tomorrow!

As for prices, they should both be the same price. I'm going to see how much participation we're going to have and price accordingly to cover the cost of developing the sunroof version. My guess at a top cost would be $265 for either version.

BTW, I found out the other day where a great custom paint shop is in town. I'll have to head over there in the next few weeks to get plans set up for my idea!

[DannyRandomState]

Hey Jacob! No worries, life happens. I'm not goin anywhere I'll sit here patiently.... I hope.

We should have no problemos getting the 10 we need.

[Beetlemania]

Danny, they usually use a white gelcoat, but lately they've been using a black one. They said there would be no problem getting either one.

Anyone else interested? Anybody thinking about getting this? We need to know so we can get it in motion!

[BeetleCouture]

I'm very interested in the sunroof version, when were you thinking of placing the order?

[Beetlemania]

I'm going to wait to make sure we'll have enough people to get the group buy. (I don't want to have to spend the money to get the sunroof version made when it will cost me much more than just paying full price!)

The sooner we get enough people, the sooner we'll make this real.

Glad to have your support, Ashley!

[Beetlemania]

Here's a morning bump. I don't get to do those that often!

[g00niebird]

Would these work with a 98 model? I've never replaced a headliner before, but I did read the DIY thing a while back... would this be used in place of the fiberboard headliner and upholstered or is it supposed to be left just painted?

[Beetlemania]

The company does say that these will work on a '98. I know that there are differences between them and the '99s, and I wonder what those differences would do to the mold. I've heard of a '98 getting a fiberglass headliner, but I don't know what company they got it from. But I heard that there were fitment issues along the sides. I mentioned that to this shop, and they said that they would fix any problems that may come up. They said the only vehicle they've had fitment issues with over the years was a Japanese car, and they eventually learned how to make a filler for the trouble spot. So along those lines, I do believe it would work. A '98 may take 1 extra step, but that's just a maybe.

As for covering, I think the idea behind these (at least the reason I want it) is that you paint it, and never again have to worry about fabric becoming unstuck. It is a direct replacement for the fiberboard but comes in bare gelcoat that would have to be painted by you after you received it.

I hope I didn't overload you too much with details, I just want to make sure you understand everything about it! Please let me know if you'd still like to get in on it!

[mgwerks]

Jacob,

Sounds like a cool idea. At least if it were black gelcoat I wouln't have to paint it to put it in. It does sound however, like the non-sunroof participants are underwriting development of the sunroof version...

[marvins_dad]

I'm guessing the sunroof version would have a tray for the moon roof. Does that question make any sense? Let me try again. Sunroof models have a part that slides in place if you want to block the sun out when the sunroof is closed....can you check to make sure they are including this piece as well?

[Beetlemania]

I'll definitely check on that, 'toine. Great question!

Mark, I guess my philosophy was that it would have to be all or nothing. We won't be able to save quite as much, but we wouldn't have enough for a group buy without the sunroofed Beetles. Believe me, I tried to get enough with what the company had, but we just didn't have enough interest.

[Beetlemania]

Okay, Antoine, they said that they do sometimes build the sliders, so I'm going to try to get some pictures to them. I doubt, if they do make one for them, that it would have the vents in it like the stock one, but I'm totally guessing there. Once we get pics to them I guess I'll know for sure!

[DannyRandomState]

Originally Posted by Beetlemania

Okay, Antoine, they said that they do sometimes build the sliders, so I'm going to try to get some pictures to them. I doubt, if they do make one for them, that it would have the vents in it like the stock one, but I'm totally guessing there. Once we get pics to them I guess I'll know for sure!

Workin on that! I left work early (cough cough)

[Beetlemania]

I wish I could have left work early. One of these years!

[mgwerks]

Jacob,

is there a drop-dead date on ordering these? Or are we cool to go on until we have enough people...