TheSamba.com :: View topic - Looking into an early split bus would like a barn door.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:40 pm

I am 16 years old with $3000 a dream and manual labor, am I looking in the right ballpark to buy an earlier bus or should I settle for a late 70's one. I get the feeling that I will be able to put the time and the money into an earlier bus but I don't want to get up to my ears in trouble. I'm in the pheonix area and I think there is a cool bus club maybe I can look there for help.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:16 pm

You can't get a decent rolling shell of a barndoor for $3000. It's cheaper to get a bay. Faster and safer too.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:57 pm

Yes you will never find even a barndoor shell thats worth restoring for 3k. If you really want a split bus try looking for a '65-67 standard 11 window model or a early bay window.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:12 pm

rustfree1967bug wrote: Yes you will never find even a barndoor shell thats worth restoring for 3k. If you really want a split bus try looking for a '65-67 standard 11 window model or a early bay window.

I wouldn't say never, it's just very unlikely.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:44 pm

Well yes I suppose anything is possible but it''s very, very unlikely.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:20 am

rustfree1967bug wrote: Well yes I suppose anything is possible but it''s very, very unlikely.

Hey, they're still out there, tons more still to find I would bet. I'll just keep hunting and hope I get lucky one of these days.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:39 am

Even if you got a rolling shell for free I think the $3k wouldn't go very far. Barndoor parts are hard to come by and are not cheap. You've got a shot at getting a late 60's split bus though, and certainly a bay window, and I say go for it!

Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:26 am

are you sure youre not confusing a barndoor with a regular split bus?

Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:50 am

you can't even get a decent (as in roadworthy, SAFE, hop-in-and-drive, reliable, not needing $2000+ in repairs) bay for $3000.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:35 am

I know I've seen the bay windows for 3000 easy, I wouldn't mind the work of an older split window and a barn door would be out of the question. Where would I look to find somthing without a lot of rust but still needs work, I have 3000 by myself but I can probably get some money for resoration from my family

Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:00 am

Lovefornewergeneration wrote: IWhere would I look to find somthing without a lot of rust but still needs work

Start by looking in the classifieds.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:33 am

barndoors are buses that you work your way up to, not "first buses". in most cases, it would be foolish to have your first bus/VW be a barndoor. lots of people think they want a bus, be it a split or a bay and have never driven one. these people are used to driving vehicles that are less than at most 15 years old. alot has changed in the past 50 years as far as automotive engineering. i'd venture to say that the worst car in any particular neighborhood could outrun and out handle a stock bus.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:41 pm

First it would be a good idea that you really find out what you want. There is so much difference in busses ranging from BD to late split to early bay to late bay. If you know what you really want, GO FOR IT.
I got a kid over here, he bought his 57 bus at 19yrs old, also an age nobody would consider effortless to restoring such an old bus.
He cuts his teeth on working other crap like 60s beetles and busses to learn, but his dream is on. Your choice. Good luck and have fun !

Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:27 pm

Well I am looking for a project that’s for sure, something that will take time, I personally know (through my family) a few people who have restored cars and they tell me a bus would be cake to restore compared to what they have done, I'm just looking for first hand information on the topic and the price comparison. When I say not too much rust I mean not have to replace entire sections, I can understand front floor panels and windows etc that’s just cutting and welding. I want to know is it worth it to jump in with only 3000 dollars. And I have driven a 78 bus it sure isn't a good performing/handling car but that doesn't matter.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:31 pm

78 is not a pre 67 and is totaly different!
Barndoors are wau different from later splits too!

So comparing bd to a 78 is like comparing a T-ford with a ford focus.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:37 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=921097

good starting point

Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:37 pm

UZI wrote: barndoors are buses that you work your way up to, not "first buses". in most cases, it would be foolish to have your first bus/VW be a barndoor. lots of people think they want a bus, be it a split or a bay and have never driven one. these people are used to driving vehicles that are less than at most 15 years old. alot has changed in the past 50 years as far as automotive engineering. i'd venture to say that the worst car in any particular neighborhood could outrun and out handle a stock bus.

Great advice! Chances this kid will take this advice... Not so great.

The money and time into restoring one of these buses would most likely take you until you are 30 to save up. Then maintaining the bus as a daily driver is another story all together!

Sat Feb 13, 2010 5:52 pm

Start by finding a local VW club or a bunch of guys with buses

Hopefully if you explain where your coming from and what you think you want you'll get to ride in a few nice buses, meet useful contacts and get a real idea of what you want. They will also be able to look over car for you with an expert eye

An early bay is very cool, especially if its a nice one. Remember a project will ALWAYS cost you more in the end than just buying one thats done.

I thought long and hard about a bd but happily took a 56 as its everything I wanted, more usable for me and I got a nice bus compared to what I could afford in Barndoor land.

Seb

Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:58 pm

I admire your uztpah, read this thread from one of the masters
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71838

Sun Feb 14, 2010 5:49 am

UZI wrote: barndoors are buses that you work your way up to, not "first buses". in most cases, it would be foolish to have your first bus be a barndoor
**whistles**