a lot of good suggestions. any major rework, like a new apron, is not an option. i am done with any more major rework on the car. it has been far too long already.
there are some less intrusive suggestions that might work. since i borrowed several design cues from Speedsters and 356 (and some yet to come), i thought about an early 356 bumper design for the bug (see attached), but the lines of the bug particularly around the wheel well don't seem to lend themselves to this too well.
still open to more ideas. i can totally live with it this way. i think it looks really good. just seems to need a little something...very little.