How to Remove Door Panels From a 1972 VW Bug

Volkswagen began production of the Type 1 commonly called the Beetle or Bug in 1946 and continued until 1985 with Mexico exporting Beetles to Europe. Total production topped 20 million, making the Beetle the longest running and most produced car in the world. The 1972 Beetle was powered by a rear mounted, air-cooled, 1.6-liter opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine, attached to a transaxle for rear-wheel-drive. At first glance, removing the door panels on the Beetle appears confusing because you there are a couple of hidden screws. Also, the procedure for removing the door panel is slightly different, depending on when in 1972 the Beetle was built.

Instructions

Park the Beetle on a level surface and set the parking brake.

Grab the plastic cover on the window crank at the base and pull on it. It will slip off the end of the metal crank, revealing a Phillips screw that attaches the crank to the window regulator. Remove it with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the crank and plastic trim from the regulator.

Remove the two screws from the underside of the armrest with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the armrest. Early 1972 Beetles do not have these screws. The handle is attached to a strap on the inside of the panel that slides over a tab on the door.

Look at the door latch and its trim. You will see a notch at the front of the trim piece. Look closely and you will see that this is a cover. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the notch and pry out the cover to reveal a hidden screw. Remove this screw with a Phillips screwdriver and slide the latch trim over the door latch.

Wrap the end of a flat-head screwdriver with some masking tape. Insert the screwdriver between the panel and the door and pry the panel away from the door. The panel is attached to the door with metal push-pins. Carefully work your way around the door, disengaging all of the pins and remove the panel. For the early model, lift up on the panel to disengage the strap from the tab on the door.

Line up the panel with the door and push in the pins all the way around the panel. For the early model, lower the panel onto the door to engage the armrest strap, then push in the pins.

Slide the latch trim into place, install and tighten the screw. Snap the cover into place.

Position the armrest on the door, install and tighten the screws.

Mount the window crank and trim on the regulator and install and tighten the screw. Push the cover onto the crank.