Anyone have an original headliner?

[angusmf]

I'm wondering what the material is like. I managed to find a 77 sunroof at the junkyard and nabbed the headliner (as well as two unbroken rear side shelfs without speaker holes!) to use as a pattern. But I don't know what material to use. I'm thinking of some perforated vinyl like a bug headliner, but don't know if the swallowtail stuff was different. If you have any good pics, or even a description, let's have it.

[angusmf]

Ok...with no input to go on, I think I'm going to get the black perforated vinyl.

[Vedubauman]

Did you ever find a place to get the headliner made? Still interested in going in with you on getting 2 made. Let me know.

[angusmf]

I asked Dean Futrell, and he said the material was just like the one I grabbed at the junkyard--Non perforated crushed vinyl. He also said that he has a trusted upholstery guy that makes them for him at around $100 a pop. Don't remember if I told you that already, or passed on his phone number. Anyway, In the interest of cheapness and convenience, I wound up going to a local shop with my pattern. I got it made for $85 including mounting a new panel to the frame that attaches to the bottom of the sunroof. I'm not sure if I'm totally satisfied with the quality though. The seam on the sunroof panel isn't completely straight, the corners weren't done very well, and it's hard to tell how good the headliner itself is until I try to install it. It's basically just a big flat piece with seams and pockets sewn in where the bows go. Also the material is much thicker than the original. This will probably make it more durable, but harder to install. I'll have semi-professional help installing mine, though. Maybe you should give Dean's guy a try. Let me know if you want the #.

[Vedubauman]

I might grab that number from you. Sorry yours didn't turn out as you had hoped. I've done 4 Beetle headliners. I'm hoping my experience will help when it's time to do mine.

Did you take your old liner to them or did you make a pattern? I'm pretty much SOL either way. Mine was almost rotted when I pulled it. If you have a pattern I'd gladly pay to ship it here.

[angusmf]

I've been looking for it, and I think it's gone. Oops! Anyway, you should be able to contact Dean and get it if you can't find a good shop locally.

I didn't make a pattern. I happened to find a sorta intact headliner in a sunroof car at the junkyard and pulled it. It's burgundy. Yum! I'll send it to ya if you want it. Like I said, my shop didn't do much with it except take the measurements for how far to space the bow pockets. I still have to cut all the rest out myself.

If you have early door panels, maybe I'll trade ya for a pattern or tracing or something? Was thinking about getting some stitched up to approximate the factory ones.

[Vedubauman]

I probably have a spare door panel around. I may take you up on swapping patterns. Let me see how traceable the panel is. Might be easier for me to send it to you.

[angusmf]

Ok, let me know.

[Cavok]

I have a source for new headliners now. They're the perforated type.

[Vedubauman]

What's the scoop? Sounds like old Beetle headliner material.

[Cavok]

It might be old beetle material. I'll take a pic next time I'm in the parts shed

[TDItwist]

I have an original one in my'75. It's in pretty good shape. I will take a close-up picture this Friday when I get back to the car- Ryan

[TDItwist]

angusmf- I have some pic's of the headliner, but I don't think they will show up very well. It looks and feels like old Beetle material. That's my guess anyway-

[vweurotrash]

My headliner is origional but getting torn up similar to a better but no holes in it and the metal rods running across it