TheSamba.com :: View topic - 63 Canadian Martin Walter Dormobile Build

Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:14 pm

For the last few years I have been trying to build one Bus over the winter. This year I am going to try to build 2. The Kemperink motorhome which is in another thread & this Bus I just recently picked up. It is a real Matin Walters Dormobile that was part of a marketing deal with VW of Canada in 1963.

The Bus looks bad right now but in person up close it is actually pretty solid & has had very little hacking, accidents, or customizing over the years.

I am just starting disassembly. The Bus goes to the sand blasting next week & is going to be a rotisseri restoration.

Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:13 pm

Cool...I like MW campers. Do you have any interior? Did it come w/any Dormatic seat stuff?

Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:32 pm

I have the rear 2 seats. I am looking for the 2 front swivel seats, the rear cabinet, & the big table. So if anyone has any please contact me.

Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:47 pm

Cool! Another 63 MW Dormo!

Please share the M-plate details.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:51 am

Looks to be a 1/63 build date.

388 = Canadian spec
181 = Chrome hubcaps
191 = Belly pans & a key note for Dormobile

KH = Canada, Halifax

SK1023A = Turkis & Blue White

Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:36 am

Here's mine:

Very interesting that yours has a Canadian Port code and is a MW Dormobile, which implies that MW Dormobiles could be VW dealer ordered. Special paint on a Kombi and belly pans show it was ordered for Dormobile conversion.

My MW Dormobile has the special paint, but not the belly pans, even though my bus is later than yours. Mine was obviously also ordered for Dormobile conversion and was sold new by VW Motors of Earl's Court, London, the main English VW distributor.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:54 am

blackdog1999 wrote:

Built one day before my Panel. Cool!

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:02 am

fig wrote: Here's mine:

Very interesting that yours has a Canadian Port code and is a MW Dormobile, which implies that MW Dormobiles could be VW dealer ordered. Special paint on a Kombi and belly pans show it was ordered for Dormobile conversion.

My MW Dormobile has the special paint, but not the belly pans, even though my bus is later than yours. Mine was obviously also ordered for Dormobile conversion and was sold new by VW Motors of Earl's Court, London, the main English VW distributor.

Canada had some kind of marketing thing going on in 1963 with Dormobile.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/63dormobile2.php
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/63dormobile.php

There have been a couple of these Canadian Dorms pop up over the past few years here on Samba.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:06 am

Looking forward to your build, it will make great winter reading :wink:
Did you sell your Westy?

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:11 am

Linda Grunthaner wrote: Looking forward to your build, it will make great winter reading :wink:
Did you sell your Westy?

I did. It went to Southern, CA. A european classics car dealer bought it as a showroom attraction. It is really cool because it went back very close to where it spent it's early years of life & will get driven now & again but will be dry and on display for many years.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:14 am

Nice find!!
Looks pretty solid. Does it have belly pans?? There was another 63 MW Dormy that came from interior BC but it was in much worse shape not even a few months ago. Any stories of the find? :)

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:17 am

Ooooo! I love me some Turkis! Gonna love following this one, looking forward to it.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:40 am

What's that yellow thing on the dash? Right above the steering wheel?

Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:53 am

interesting to note that the martin walter dormies seem to have the roof hinged on the pass side whereas the so42/44 dormies that were outfitted at westfalia-werke seem to have the roof hinged on the drivers side.

Perhaps Westfalia werke did this to allow for the install of the side privy tent which would be impossible to do with the way martin walter installed the roof with the hinges on the pass side.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:23 am

dawerks wrote: What's that yellow thing on the dash? Right above the steering wheel?

That is a warning light to tell you that your roof is not secured while the ignition is on.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:24 am

velvetgreen wrote: interesting to note that the martin walter dormies seem to have the roof hinged on the pass side whereas the so42/44 dormies that were outfitted at westfalia-werke seem to have the roof hinged on the drivers side.

Perhaps Westfalia werke did this to allow for the install of the side privy tent which would be impossible to do with the way martin walter installed the roof with the hinges on the pass side.

Yes, the Westy tent seams to be the concensus as to the roof opening direction.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:26 am

blackdog1999 wrote:

cool! open top warning light!!

looking fordward to have the progress... Congrats Corey!

Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:33 am

blackdog1999 wrote:

cool too! open top warning switch!

Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:34 am

Damn!!! That is interesting! I always wondered about that, but that's still somehow shocking they would think of that! :)

Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:52 am

hey is that a super rare dormie trash bag that you have on the back wall there corey??

inquiring minds want to know :)