TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:52 pm

Howdy, folks. I've been lurking here on The Samba for the past year researching bays and trying my best to soak up some of the wealth of information here; all the while just generally falling in love with ACVW's.

Inspired by what I found on this site, I purchased my first Volkswagen over the weekend - a somewhat neglected but virtually stock 1978 Westfalia. I've wanted one of these all my life and you folks gave me the confidence I needed to tackle this project. So in light of that, I figured I'd finally step out of the shadows and take a moment to introduce myself and my new bus :D :D :D :D

The Good:

The Bad...:

The Ugly!!:

Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:58 pm

Congratulations! Looks like a great start. Good luck, and you've certainly come to the right place. These forums have helped me many times over the years.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:09 pm

welcome! Good Luck.. lt could look like teh one i have in my driveway that I just picked up for parts!

they are addicting!

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:12 pm

Cool Bus! Where are you located in New England?

Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:20 am

Thanks for the warm welcome, guys. I'm in Central Massachusetts. God willing, I'll have her on the road come summer. :D

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:16 am

welcome, looks like you have a decent project to get you going.

lot of good people here.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:37 am

Congratulations from southern Vermont! =D> Just getting started myself and the help and knowledge I received so far from the great folks on this forum has been invaluable.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:46 am

Love the growth on the roof that has been growing for a very long time.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:39 am

foxtail1 wrote: Love the growth on the roof that has been growing for a very long time.
As long as it's not cracked that poptop should actually clean up pretty nice. Here's a good topic for restoration help:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58119&highlight=poptop

Where are you in Central Massachusetts by the way? I'm up by the New Hampshire border.

EDIT: Wait a second... that bus looks familiar. Was that the bus sitting outside the Hippy Church in Princeton?

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:00 am

You are correct, sir. The very same bus. Good eye.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:27 am

I always told myself I was going to stop in and talk to them about that bus. O'well... Your score, my loss :D ! So where you from man?

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:42 am

Ya, real nice folks. Very cool. I'm glad you didn't! Hahahaha!

Anyway, I'm just outside of Worcester, MA on a great big ol' hill overlooking the city.

Poptop is in great condition, despite the lichens - they scrape right off.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:57 am

Congrats on the bus and glad to see you came out of the shadows and joined us. I've got a sister to you 78 Westy, although a bit further along in the restoration process. Anyway, I look forward to your future postings showing progress made or problems encountered.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:15 am

I've been to Worcester several times. The best thing about that town is that you will have plenty of Dunkin' Donuts and good coffee to keep you energized while you scrape off those lichens. Congrats on the bus. Another Bay Saved!

Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:46 am

Welcome the the Samba!

What are you plans for the Bus? Complete restoration? Or just get it cleaned up and roll it as is?

If I were me, I would clean it up and give it a nice wax job. You would be surprised to see the shine you can get out of that old paint. Check out this thread where VDubTech brought a '79 Westfaila back to life without a complete overhaul: '79 Westy Rebuild

Good luck!

Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:08 am

My immediate plans are to replace the nose, rocker panels, DS step and door, bottom of the slider, and entire PS dogleg.

Hoping to have it on the road in time for summer camping. 8)

So what's the scoop on the available rocker panels? I keep reading that they're all junk...? Any recommendations from the Sambanista Army?