TheSamba.com :: View topic - Samba Ironworkers Club! 55-67

Wed Mar 02, 2011 3:46 pm

This thread is dedicated to all like minded folks who put in hundreds of hours of work to revive and resuscitate these buses we love so much. Most of us do this for love and wouldn't do it for money. It's the satisfaction of doing it all ourselves and only the people who have followed these footsteps know how it really was (aka blood sweat and tears).

We thank you! For the photos, the time and dedication you have put into this hobby. :) These are 'non paid professional' restorations done by what I think are average dudes (ie not done by a shop).

In no particular order (forgive me if I miss any, please post away!), and if you have a few hours to kill...

mike spadafora, 1956 Deluxe. One of my favorite threads so I guess they are in some type of order.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=313263&highlight=mike+deluxe

thom; 57 Deluxe (there was no 'thread', but thom provided pics!)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php...uthor=thom

jeremyrockjock; 58 Deluxe (I could not for the life of me find this, but this one is pretty epic)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56584&highlight=jeremyrockjock

cjsmitty; 1958 PG/SG walkthru..
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...mp;start=0

cjsmitty; double cab
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=381793&highlight=restoration

kooerspiloot; this is a good one!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=210092&highlight=project

kombimaster; 23 Window (for the love of it!)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=287238&highlight=restoration

Joshua B, the smuggler
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=248880&highlight=restoration

vws-microcars4jim; 58 Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...mp;start=0

slow36hp; 148HP DD! :)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=186478&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

roachdub; 60 Singlecab
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=420762

brettsvw; 67 Deluxe
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340406

dawerks; 56 23 Window (had to slip mine in here) :)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=434158

busmike; 61 DC
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=395345

Glenn A; 67 SC
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=315415

clnvwe; Project Unlucky (most of us probably feel this one at one time!)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392915&highlight=project

hot64bug; 67 Deluxe
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392419&highlight=project

youbugme2; 62 Panel
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307564&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

joe56vw; 56 Wolfsburg panel
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423963

hubcap; 55 PG/SG (proof that it sometimes takes more than one owner to finish these things!)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272616&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

phil1957; 56 Wolfsburg panel (another 2 samba owner thread)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...;start=120

Dave M (rest in peace sir), I can't seem to find his Double Cab restoration, maybe it was on his website and not on the samba? But wow, if you can find it, read it! It's epic.

npbusguy; 58 Deluxe (perfecto!)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=257371&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Glenn A; 67 Single Cab
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=315415

andre b; Barndoor Walkthru panel
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=409857

oldeskool65; 66 Deluxe (started out not wanting to be a SIC member, but as you can see, he will soon be a full fledged member of the club!) :)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=356133&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Mitch Case; 61 Ambulance (provisional member until he gets back to work on it!) ;)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=428154&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

bherder; 66 Deluxe
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371654&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Gmiee5; 67 Floor re-do (and becomes a member of SIC thinking it's just a floor! well done!) ***all pics dead in this link
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338364&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

***Moderator edit: added some more links below, all from Burlyhammer
59 mango walkthru
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=739071&highlight=
63 15 window
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672869&highlight=
66 21 Window
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728199&highlight=
57 kombi
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=725116&highlight=
56 Wolfsburg Double Door
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732239&highlight=

Added more-
Rusty 65 SC -Kb65single
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
Crofty so34 Flipseat
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7431247#7431247

Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:15 pm

I think you about covered it!
All very nice resurrections.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:25 pm

1957 deluxe

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?...uthor=thom

Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:31 pm

Thom; Those photos are perfect! I added them to the original post. Most of Thom's work is in the 'what did you do for your bus today' thread. I couldn't figure out a way to 'link' your posts, but the photos do the trick.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:54 pm

63 Panel
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307564&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:44 pm

Wow... very cool Topic let's keep this one going so theres a one stop spot for build threads.......I like it

Thu Mar 03, 2011 2:29 pm

This one sticks out in my mind more than any others...because it was started in 2003 before it was easy with all the nice funky metal...just hard work and talented hands

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56584&highlight=jeremyrockjock

Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:56 pm

this is mine i have done everything myself except the rust repair, paint, and wiring

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423963&highlight=

Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:52 pm

65Nsqback wrote: Wow... very cool Topic let's keep this one going so theres a one stop spot for build threads.......I like it '

I agree. It would he nice if these added topics were edited back into the original post.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:10 pm

1954 25A

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...hlight=25a

Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:58 pm

What a great thread!

Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:04 pm

I think l it is very useful for people contemplating a major project to get a bunch of different views of how it's done so they can choose their path . Restoring a rotted out, heavily water damaged bus is an immense task ... not for the faint of heart! no matter what model it is . there are many different ways to go about getting it done and looking at various peoples projects is a good way to start.
I continue to be amazed that every year more and more turn up and get saved ... :D :D :D :D

Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:18 pm

Wow. This is what I'm talk'n about. Awesome thread. So, for those you wanna b's that want to add their personal builds to this thread, if you didn't do the metal work, it doesn't qualify. there's lots of nice work out there, so I don't want to offend anyone. And this isn't my thread, but I think it's an awesome one and I don't think anyone wants it to become less than what it is. Again, no offense, and awesome thread. I wanna see more.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:02 pm

Thanks guys! It's a tribute to all the hard working dudes who have made the samba a great community, but I didn't mean to leave anyone out, so that's why if I forgot someone, please let me know and I will edit the first post.

I put jeremyrockjock out of order because I was thinking of his post, but I just couldn't find it.

Also, I left out the pro builds on purpose. My intention was a tribute thread to all the guys who have 5 extension cords, 3 pounds of rust, the welder on the ground, covered in dirt/grinder dust, in cramped little garages slaving away :)

The professional builds are deserving of their own thread (stall20, campingbox's westy build, npsbusguy, concept1 etc etc). HINT HINT :) And also some of the epic Barndoor builds (the swedish ones comes to mind off hand), gotta draw the line somewhere, but please feel free to post the links! In actuality, the 'pro' builds offer the fastest/correct way to do things so I hope someone else steps up make that thread :)

Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:08 pm

dawerks wrote:
Also, I left out the pro builds on purpose. My intention was a tribute thread to all the guys who have 5 extension cords, 3 pounds of rust, the welder on the ground, covered in dirt/grinder dust, in cramped little garages slaving away :)

I just hope this thread doesn't deteriorate into one of those; "look at me, I painted my bus with a broom for 3 bucks" threads, if you know what I mean. Whether a build is done by a "pro" or just done in a professional manner, I think they should be recognized together....IMHO.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:22 pm

mike spadafora wrote: I think l it is very useful for people contemplating a major project to get a bunch of different views of how it's done so they can choose their path . Restoring a rotted out, heavily water damaged bus is an immense task ... not for the faint of heart! no matter what model it is . there are many different ways to go about getting it done and looking at various peoples projects is a good way to start.
I continue to be amazed that every year more and more turn up and get saved ... :D :D :D :D

There is some central themes to the builds; just check out all the neat and innovative ways people find to 'jack up' or 'tip over' their buses to work on the underneath!

There is also, in each of the threads a palpable, 'oh shit, what have I got myself into' but they forged ahead! :)

Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:50 pm

I raise my glass to all the VW garage workers who do most of the work their selves..They have a million tasks at hand,,Maybe finishing 1 a week,, With their final goal to accomplish, by themselves, an amazing task...I have been working on my bus for a very long time and I love every minute I spend working on it...I bought my 63 Ez camper in 69.. there is always to be done.. My bus is never to be sold,,,,but can be given away to a deserving relative,, after I go to VW heaven in the sky.... Here is to YOU!!!! Bob King,,Long Beach CA.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:59 pm

Quote: I just hope this thread doesn't deteriorate into one of those; "look at me, I painted my bus with a broom for 3 bucks" threads, if you know what I mean. Whether a build is done by a "pro" or just done in a professional manner, I think they should be recognized together....IMHO.

you mean to say I'm not the only person who paints their VW with a $3 brush! :lol:

Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:59 pm

great thread!

but actually nobody missed Neil's 58 thread??
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=257371

Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:18 am

Better add Andre's Barndoor walkthru panel!