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Wed Jan 08, 2003 12:12 pm

Tail end of the summer I bought a 1957 Single Cab pick up off of this site.
Mechanically it is very sound and very original. Cosmetically it is nice;it has some surface rust and a bad hinge, some bondo, but in all very presentable.

Here's my dilema. I want to use it daily and would feel better about it if it had newer drive components, a 12 volt system etc.

Rather than starting to bastardize this truck I may be better off buying another, more closely suited to my needs.

Are there enthusiasts out there that would covet an original older truck like mine...My mechanic thinks so and while he is happy to take my money and do my upgrades, he feels I should look for somebody who might like a true stocker.

What's the pulse of the Type2 community?

Wed Jan 08, 2003 2:02 pm

WideRidezzz does your SC still have the 36hp motor,crank start and all that good stuff?

Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:22 pm

hard to find one that doesn't have a lot of rust. take a deep breath, then hang in that late engine and trans.

Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:40 pm

Hey Stillworks, it is a singleport 40HP and there was no crank start. Crashbox tranny, geared pretty low, but the rest is pretty original...
JWWORKSHOP:The rust is negligible (sp?).
I had a body & fender guy I've used start poking and prodding in order to put an estimate together for me... He was favorably impressed.

I have a tendancy to keep cars & trucks for the long haul and am inclined to upgrade and modify to my liking...But in this instance my concern is this truck may be better off with someone who has an appreciation for the 'old ways'

Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:47 pm

Although i am not a VW truck guy I think its cool if you do sell it and look for something closer to what you want wideridezz. Good luck bro...

Wed Jan 08, 2003 3:56 pm

i think the key question here is how much do you like this truck? if you are attached to it keep it and mold it to fit your needs. i dont think anyone would get mad at you for 12volting it and going with a updated motor and tranny. when im working with a nice older vw i use one rule of thumb... dont do anything that cant be easily undone and keep the original parts. i always keep the body and interior very stock and change motor, tranny, wheels, suspension height. this is the best way to customize a classic car and have it be always in style and not go in and out with trends and also keep a good resale value. good luck, p.s. i would much rather have a dropped fast 57 single cab than a later 60's just my opinion, im sure there are many others out there.

Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:05 pm

WideRidezzz I have A 58 SC and when I got it ,it had no motor. So I put A 1600 in it. It had stock axles and I said, I dont care if I have A crash box,and can only go 50mph:( That lasted about one time on the freeway and I said screw this. Went to Big Nut axles and A freeway flyer(Stock 67 Bus 3.88 r/p) also had tall 205-75's and it went fine. After A few road trips to Seatle, again screw this. So I fliped the r/p Bug axles, dropped spindles and the tire thing. Now it's 80+ and Im' done. No moral to this story. Just make sure what ever you do,try to do it just once.

Thu Jan 09, 2003 10:12 am

i put a '67 tranny into my '58 panel with a 1600dp and it runs at about 70...that's about as fast as i wanna go in my ol' bus anyway...if i were in your situation i would do what rizzag said and make it the way you want it but keep all the original parts in case they are ever needed (requested) when (if) you sell this bus...good luck my man

Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:24 pm

Thanks for all your input.
I love the way this rascal looks even in the loud yellow &white paint it currently sports!

The rust issues are light compared to some things I see for sale and it scares the bee-jabberrzzz out of me to go through that stage, particularly after reading some of the posts in the body&paint section of this forum!

I saw posted elsewhere, a supporting thought regarding upgrades and value, so I'm beginning to realign with my original plan.

Stillworks, you hit it right on the head, do it once! I have another little project car that I enjoy Hell out of, but am kicking myself for not going to a stroker engine. I've got a 1776 pumped up to about 120HP, but that's two sets of carbs and some trepidation in engine machining, twice now...
I've spent equal to what the big motor would have cost had I comitted to the plan whole-heartedly at the beginning!

I feel better...That said I better get out and pound the pavement to earn some buckzzz!