DOG Site
Contents
- Owner Map
- DOG Forum
- Intro
- The S1 page
- The GT page
- The GS page
- History Page
- Parts Info
- Liturature
- DOG Club Merchandise
(on left hand side of the link
above, look for the Button
Club Merchandise
A custom GT Part - Originally supplied in chrome finish, and no originals are available. A very good reproduction piece is available from Jim W at www.vintagevolkswagens.com
Bumper - Rear - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A few variations exist, and looks best in chrome, but this is another custom GT part. Sorry, but no originals are available and no current supplier that I am aware of?
Emblems - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I've seen 3 different front emblems used on these cars, the more generic embossed aluminum Autodynamics version and either the Autodynamics or Dearborn Automitive laminated Deserter versions. Only 1 type of Deserter script existed and it was plastic with chrome finish and appeared on all versions, Series 1, GT and GS cars. Iinstalled on the rear apron or the buggy based cars and on the sides of the engine scoop on the GS cars
Front Parking/Turn Signals - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Beside the usual VW versions on top of the front fenders that often rubbed the tire, one of the more common choices of the time was the early Karman Ghia turn signals. Another nice choice are early Mustang turn lamps.
Gas Cap - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Others were used, but this picture shows the most common gas cap for GT's; Nice & fresh chrome from Steve A's car, I have no current source for this part, so either you have one or you don't.; Many other options work just fine, 05 options - Berrien Buggy Stainless Steel Fuel Filler Kit with screw on vented cap $23.95 - www.berrienbuggy.com/id86.htm and BUGPACK polished aluminum with flip top, mounting flange, vented P/N 6034, $28.78, www.bugsandbuggies.com/Parts.asp?CN=459&SN=40&GN=7
Gull Wing Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This clearly was the holy grail for any Deserter GT owner. Not many made, the top was priced almost as much as the body, and few remain today. Because the doors were a little flimsy, many must have broke and were tossed aside so today, you might find a top, but the doors might be missing. (Pic 1, Pic 2 & Pic 3)
Head Light Buckets - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The original headlights supplied by AD were MGB or Lucas units and probably still available from UK suppliers, but you can use the inexpensive Baja units available from most of the VW parts suppliers. They require a weird cut-out to fit, but will work with an 1/8th of an inch space around the bezel. Another option, the units from a Jeep CJ fit matching the diameter of the mounting surface. Note: It's important with the Baja units to mount them with the bezel retaining screw at the bottom, even though it's more difficult to attach the screw. (Thanks to Rich B and Bob H for this tip)
Rear Fender Extensions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OK, maybe you've seen these and wished that you had a set. Like any other GT part, not many originals to be had, the good news, these were very simple little pieces. Some do not appear to be a custom molded part, some were simply were cut out of flat fiberglass stock and curved to fit the rear apron. Some were actually a molded part. Most that I've seen have been bolted (or riveted) to the body or possibly glassed in. Make yours out of any sheet plastic or rubber you'd like, or fiberglass. Paint to match you car and you all set.
Rear Seat - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Not many of these left, never mind in this condition. Here's a couple of shots from an original Deserter back seat. Very original, very nice. (PIc 1 and Pic 2)
Rear GS Shocks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Once again, a special part for the GS. This is what I know, the shock you need is 15 in extended, 11 in compressed with a normal ride height of 13 in. Coil -overs rates range from 200-300lb's. + on cars I've seen and vary with choice of power and if the "Z" bar carries some weight with solid connections to the trailing arms?
The long out of production Koni Special "D'' 80-1669 was the shock of choice back in the day, but you'll have a real had time locating them.
Roll Bar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This part was unique to the GT with overall dimensions 36H by 48W; and 1 1/2 in diameter tubing. The side mounting tabs for the roll bar start at 16 in. up from the bottom mounting plates. They are 4 1/2 long and 2 wide. The side mounting brackets have two holes, and the floor mounting brackets have three holes.
Side Pods - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Another unique to the GT part, identical in looks to the Bounty Hunter version, but the GT version is almost 4 inches longer.
Click here to see the brand new side tanks available today!
Soft Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A pretty functional soft top for both the S-1 and GT cars existed. While the S-1 soft top was very funtional, I have to admit that entering or exiting the GT soft top takes some dexterity, it helps to be youg.
Looking for a soft top for the GT?
I don't know all that can be done but if your interested, get in touch and find out yourself. In black from standard top material the price is about $600 for the top and another $200 for side curtains + shipping. I hope to post pictures soon, but I don't have any yet. The 2 top bows are up to you and bent from 1/2 in. EMT. The front windshield header can be made by you from wood or I can replicate it in fiberglass like the original. Check out any boat supply yard for help with other mounting hardware.
Edwards Seat Cover Company, Inc.
1115 N. Liberty Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336/722-2817; 336/723-5638
Steering Wheel - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What I consider to be an original GT wheel was depicted in most of the GT adds, walnut rim, 3 chrome spokes, not sure of the original supplier, but a wheel, the Superior 500 is at least close source today. I'm looking for a little help here if you know of anything, please pass it along?
Tail Lights - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Too many choices to list here, but often just the early VW units were employed from the donor car, if you were lucky with chrome housings. Other choices were round DOT or truck/trailer lamp assemblies, sometimes the popular Mustang or Corvette tail lights were used.
VIN Tags's - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I've seen 2 different VIN tags used on these cars, Autodynamics and Dearborn, with very little consistency on all 3 versions of Deserter cars. S/N's often started with a 2-digit indication of the year (68, 69, 70 or 71) followed by 3 or 4 sequential numbers. Some have either a GT or GS designation mixed in with the S/N, but again, no rhyme or reason that I can figure out and it appears that some morphing of the numbers has occurred over the years.
f your lucky, yours will have a VIN tag attached someplace, but not many do and there really was no official place to mount one.; Look under the dash on the body tub or in the rear near the battery and storage box compartments. From what I�ve seen most will not have one.
Most Deserters shipped in kit form were most likely shipped with an ID plate? What the owner/builder did with it varied. The few factory-assembled cars would have an ID plate. The fact that most Deserter cars today do not have it installed is really pretty simple.
Back then as today, the registration process for a kit car can be quite daunting. Simply using the original VW VIN #'s and Title usually meant fewer questions by the insurance company and DMV, and as a bonus maybe less sales tax. At this point, the VW numbers registered the car and made the name-tag unnecessary. So over time most simply got lost. For this reason, the GS cars with their custom chassis are much more likely to have an ID tag than the VW pan cars.
Windshield - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Originally From a Renault Dauphine, fit's the Bounty Hunter and Deserter GT. The post are just another unique part to the GT, and even different than the Bounty Hunters. Some posts were not that great of a casting piece of aluminum to start with and often buffing it only shows more flaws, you have been warned.
There never was any hard piece to cover the top of the glass. Most that I've seem used a rubber channel that wrapped completely around the windshield. It provided some isolation on the bottom and sides as well as a visual edge for the top. The rubber would also help seal to either the soft or hard tops when installed. It can be held in place with the help of some silicone adhesive. Also, black silicone helped fill any gaps and seal the rubber to the post and body.
Some left the top of the glass empty with nothing on it? Too much of an unfinished look in my mind and often the cops would think there was no windshield in place and pull you over because of it. I've seen some with foam weather-stripping on the bottom and lots of silicone on others. All would work, some better than others.
- For new GT windshields, call Pilkerton Classics 1-800 848-1351, or email - [email protected] -expect to pay around $400 plus shipping.
- For the rubber gasket, call Bob Drake 1-800 221-3673 and ask for a 1932-36 Ford Rear Window Seal - P/N B-704220, less than $20 bucks and fits great!
and thank you in advance for sharing information on these great little cars.
Web site by
Bob Elliott
(Last Update, 12/01/08)
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