TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1971 In Vermont, good project for the price?

Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:59 pm

dansvans wrote: he might not be untrue in saying the bus is worth less than the documents.

Pearl of Wisdom, Dan! :wink:

Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:04 pm

on the other hand it is a sunroof bus... that always peaks my attention. If you can get him down a bit and the rust isn't horrific it could be worth a bit of extra effort... Good luck and keep us posted. :)

Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:20 pm

Shamrockmac5,
Indeed. The sunroof is a huge motivator for the trip. :) [/quote]

Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:58 pm

Good luck. :bay_red:

Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:38 pm

Well the trip didn't go to well but I did have a pleasant drive down to Manchester VT to visit Larry and his Bus for sale. I knew it was most likely worse than the photos but like I said before I am an optimist.

The bus vin number 2212035254
Sticker on door jam 9/70 2212035254
engine B 5193268 I thought this should have been AE engine?

Rusted out riggers everywhere, belly pans rusted through, rockers gone drivers side as seen in photos, Passenger side worse and hit from rear wrinkling to in front of wheel well, Slider doesn't shut right. vent window frames gone,shifter handle laying on floor busted from the floor but "it still shifts fine", etc etc.
the good
The nose looks out of place on this bus. as there is a smaller hole just below drivers turn signal, small sign of bondo on passenger lower lip where dent is visible in picture. but other than that not nearly as rusted as the rest of the bus.
Sunroof visibly looked good but he wouldn't let me open it as he had it open about six inches and didn't want to force it....
Seats were ok all present rust on frames, crunchy feeling foam underneath. Proper intake present but rusty, couldn't see tin.
After going over the bus for ten minutes or so Larry came over to say "It's a thousand dollar project bus, no more no less"
to that I asked if he would go lower and that is where Larry started falling apart. Saying things like "you wouldn't know how to fix it", "I've been restoring things since I was six years old and worked in an autobody shop for ten years" "I have the paper work,I don't buy crap"
Then I just had to say I thought it was a five to six hundred parts bus.
Snap goes Larry.
Larry said "I would torch it before I sold it for that","I can get more for scrap!","I could get a Thousand dollars for the dash","I can tow it to the Hershey show and get three thousand", "I've had twenty guys like you come through here, your all the same","you insult me","I don't have time to waste"
Wow
At least I know there are twenty guys just like me who had the same reaction, and I simply said I had no intention of wasting time as I myself had invested five hours of driving and that we were just coming at the same object from two different roads of reality.
Oh and before I left he chased a census worker from the property in a not so nice way.
If your looking for a roof clip an engine that may work, seats, electrical and maybe a good nose. Don't go with less than a grand and keep smiling.
Thanks again for all the responses.
Cheers

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:30 pm

Quote: Larry said "I would torch it before I sold it for that","

funny thing is: i have actually heard people say this before. not so funny for you, since you had to deal with it.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:34 pm

I agree, $300-$400 parts bus. =D> :bay_red:

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:58 pm

You have heard this to. Wow. He wasn't screaming but definitely talked to me like I was ignorant. No use arguing with folks like that.
I'll keep looking. I'll save cash in the meantime and look to the west.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:10 pm

folk like that tend to use their line of BS like they used antiaircraft fire in WWII, trying to set up a "wall" of flak that can't be penetrated.....

Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:21 pm

Sorry, but I just came across this thread. I live about 10 minutes from Manchester and would have gladly gone and scouted it out for you so you wouldn't have to make the trip. Or I could have met you and shown you my bus! Next time you see anything in southern Vermont or adjacent NY or Mass., just let me know.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:22 pm

finefettle wrote: "I could get a Thousand dollars for the dash"

I'd love to see him try :roll:

Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:23 pm

Looks like he should just bring out the torch because the last 20 people are not biting and the next 20 won't either. Drop the price to reasonable levels or start cutting :twisted:

Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:19 pm

Oh ya the rust on the dash ads at least $500 8)
It does need to be chopped. Just not willing to drop $1000. on spec part out.
And I don't see him going lower......well...... because he is crazy :lol:

Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:32 pm

just to chime in on a right coast bus, that's a $500 ride on a good day. keep looking.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:36 pm

Thanks for the offer aopisa.
Love Love Love that green westfalia :D
It was a nice drive down anyway

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:05 pm

finefettle wrote: Thanks for the offer aopisa.
Love Love Love that green westfalia :D
It was a nice drive down anyway

Anytime. Sounds like it was an entertaining time. :wink: