TheSamba.com :: View topic - 55 Barndoor Deluxe

Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:21 pm

Now that the bus is safely home, I would like to learn about the pre 1988 Hot VW's classified history. Are there any PNW old timers that remember this bus?

The bus was obviously well taken care of before it was sold in 1988. If the bus is truely a PNW bus it was kept in doors or away from the coast. There is NO sign of rust or rust replacement and no previous accident damage......REALLY!!

I have been able to pick up some of the history while the bus lived in Japan for just over 19 years. Again the bus was well cared for, it traveled just over 10k miles....the odometer now reads 00635. It was featured in a Japanese hard back book.

Everything works.... headlights lights, wipers, semaphores, interior lights, etc. The bus drives fantastic....the steering is tight, shifts smooth, runs strong.

As with any BD, a few items went missing over the past 53 years...but the list is really short. If anyone has the following parts I will forever be greatful to your efforts in helping make the bus 100% complete again, as well as have a lighter wallet :lol:

Middle seat kick, 1 US spec headlight glass (with oval in lense) large diamond Frese reflectors and a January or February 55 20-motor.

Over the next few weeks I'll get as many detailed shots of the bus as possible, especially the unbelievable dry undercarriage, the barndoor belly pan side step, etc. Please let me know if there are any specific items needed for reference.

I would like to thank Matt Hummel for getting the bus back into the US, then giving me the opportunity to give the bus a good home. Also thanks to Mark L for the mirror arm....it's already on 4 days after taking delivery of the bus. Thanks in advance to everyone who contibutes to the anal retentive detail questions.....this site has truely made information gathering and sharing much easier than it was 20 years ago when I first became involved in buses, so an extra thanks to Everett.

Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:28 pm

There are 2 different headlight glass lenses with the Oval in the center. Which one do you need?

Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:41 pm

EverettB wrote: There are 2 different headlight glass lenses with the Oval in the center. Which one do you need?

Hard to see.......but it's there, the lense has both the VW logo and Hella logo. The ring has two rivits with only an arrow.

Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:41 pm

Ok, so you need the lens with both the Hella and VW symbols as well as the Oval.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:31 am

looks like you need a white semaphore knob too (not that you'll need that pointed out)

23 window collection wrote: Over the next few weeks I'll get as many detailed shots of the bus as possible, especially the unbelievable dry undercarriage, the barndoor belly pan side step, etc. Please let me know if there are any specific items needed for reference

DD, I'll take you up on that. Can you (for starters) take some good detail pics of:
1. The wiring loom/fusebox at the front of the cab there? & up under the dash?
2. Under the front seat - ie any little feet on the cab seatbase? Any (painted area) sound deadening material? Rubber stops (on the painted area)?
3. The speedo/pod
4. The Glass Sekurit iogos - fixed side glass/front screens/cab door windows/skylights

Thanks
RS

Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:59 am

Could you let us know the chassis number?

Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:47 am

Chassis number 20-1155XX

Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:52 am

my guess is 20-115513.

In Japan

Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:39 am

275 after mine, & 557 ahead of yours RH
Around 185 built per day on average in Feb 55?
6 x surviving Feb 55 BD DLXs known atm

Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:17 am

So Doug, put an ongoing conversation to rest... is it OG paint or has it been repainted?

Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:09 am

Doug, give Barndoor Dave a call......I've heard him talk about this bus before.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:03 pm

Those lenses are a BITCH to find. There is a "private" collector up in Washington who has a collection of these sorts of lenses. This collector is also obsessed with Westfalia junk too! Maybe he will let a pair of these go?? :wink:

Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:15 pm

:lol:

Damn $6kOBO in '88..that truth is just sickening.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:47 pm

I think it was listed for less than 6k in the end :shock:

Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:51 pm

jasonvw wrote: So Doug, put an ongoing conversation to rest... is it OG paint or has it been repainted?

The exterior is a late 80's Japanese respray....

The interior is original paint, engine compartment is original paint

Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:53 pm

campingbox wrote: Doug, give Barndoor Dave a call......I've heard him talk about this bus before.

BD Dave from the Seattle area? With the rental properties??? Do you have a tele?

Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:25 pm

RockStock wrote:
DD, I'll take you up on that. Can you (for starters) take some good detail pics of:
1. The wiring loom/fusebox at the front of the cab there? & up under the dash?
2. Under the front seat - ie any little feet on the cab seatbase? Any (painted area) sound deadening material? Rubber stops (on the painted area)?
3. The speedo/pod
4. The Glass Sekurit iogos - fixed side glass/front screens/cab door windows/skylights

Thanks
RS

Here the fuse block

Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:33 pm

Today's surprise......WOW :shock:

Darn the luck :lol:

Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:58 pm

SWEET!

Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:56 pm

23 window collection wrote:

Today's surprise......WOW :shock:

Darn the luck :lol:

Looks like another bad seat cover, you should get rid of them and put some new ones on.. :D

Nice red plastic beading, Late style, just like mine!