The vents for the Volkswagen Bus until 1963 and from 1968 to 1972 are the only ones of this type that were factory fitted by Volkswagen on the most luxurious Buses. For all other Volkswagens, it is the accessory market that hits the market with so-called aftermarket grilles.
For almost all air grilles of all VW models there is a decorative part, which is still available for most VW models today. Although they are no longer available from the original manufacturers, several Volkswagen specialists have put a reproduction on the market.
The grilles mentioned here are made of polished stainless steel, which is an improvement over the original aluminum grilles that were less resistant to scratches and dents.
For VW Buses up to 1963, they were factory fitted to the luxury models where the grilles have holes in which the mounting clips snap in. For all other VW Buses and if your Bus was not originally equipped with one, you will need to drill 3 holes per grille. If your VW Bus has been painted, we can imagine that you don't want to drill any more holes, so there is always the possibility to glue the trims on your grills.
Caution: It is recommended to use a silicone-free sealant, contrary to what the manufacturer states in the manual. Silicone based sealants will cause problems if your VW Combi ever needs to be repainted. Therefore NEVER use glue or cleaning products containing silicones.
Fitting guidlelines
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