I bought a '63 Beetle last week and I'm still wet behind my VW ears. I knew the floors were the weakest part but they are actually non-existant. I was going to tighten down the loose passenger seat today until I realized why it was loose. It looks like the carpet is the only thing holding it up. The seat belt anchor even "wiggles". The heater channels at least "appear" to be sound.  I need to replace all floor panels ASAP. What do you veterans recommend? Is there a recommended brand? vendor? How much will this cost me? Can one of you guys do the job for me? I need this done ASAP because I can't stay out of this car and it just ain't safe! My 11 year old daughter does not like that "her" car is on the injured reserve list either! Please help me if you can. Thanks. :cry:

Thanks, KC! Yes, I would like to to talk to your friend if you can arrange that. Dalton is just over the hill! I've shopped and and made some phone calls in an attempt to get the pans but I'd really like to try to get some "expert" info from someone like you're friend before I fork over the cash. This is a pretty cool little car and I really do want to get it done right. Thanks again for any and all help,
Steve Rose
706-764-2370

Dub tech,
I hear ya on the sickness, it seems that the 5 yr old and the 2 yr old girls bring all kinds of stuff home from Pre-K and such.  

Flintstone mobile,
I'll get you his #, this weekend was chaotic and I don't have his # with me...
Thanks,
KC

Check with Mainly Foreign in Chattanooga.  JR just bought one side from them and I think he was satisfied with it.

Hey Brian, thanks for the info. I'm getting my pans from Mainly Foreign which is going to save time and $$$!

They're made in Brazil. Is that okay? Is there something I should be aware of or avoid? I just don't know. They do have rails.

There are some really thin pans on the market . . . and all the ones I've seen from Brazil are amoung the thinnest.  I've actually used one and once it was installed, it seemed strong enough (compaired to the rusty shreads of metal that used to be in there) but the seat rails were a joke.  I had to drive the seat on the rails with a big hammer, but they did hold the seat . . . at least until the 5 or 6 spot welds that were holding the rail to the pan broke loose.  Speaking from experiance, the differance in price between the cheapest pan on the market and the best pan on the market isn't enough to even consider going cheap.

Yeah, I got my driver's side pan from Mainly.  I think it is sufficient.  I have not tried to put a seat on it yet as I am still doing the complete restoration of my pan.  The key to long lasting floorpans is prep, prep, prep, paint.

Yea, Chuck at Mainly Foreign said he usually stocks both sides but someone had just bought the driver side! You don't happen to know who that was, do you?! He said he'll have them both in a couple of days. Could you let me know how the seat rails work out for you? You're right, prep, paint, sealing and coating must be pretty important. I'm pretty sure I'll go ahead and get the pans from Mainly Foreign. The car is kept dry and  inside and the wipers are too junky to drive it in the rain. Thanks for your help and please let me know how it turns out, Steve.