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Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:35 am

I bought a 62 single cab last week, and it has what appears to be an original smooth rear gate that would be off a BD single cab.

Can anyone verify for me? Unfortunately the inner part of the gate had plywood on it when I took the pictures so I've yet to pull that off to see what that looks like. Any idea on year from these pics?

If it's real, what are the values currently? More than likely will be for sale.
Thanks!

Mon Aug 15, 2011 7:01 am

pull the plywood and see if the pressings are there, indicating that they have been filled with bondo. If it is a real smoothgate it's rare, but the number of people that need them is small. There has been a single smooth sidegate for sale here for a long time now and I think it is still available. It a real nice one, but people either need the set or they don't. Lucky for you it's a rear, which is likely the gate that somebody would need if theirs is smashed.

Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:50 am

Steve,
Here's one for sale in the classifieds to compare against:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=559271

That is $900. Note it has been for sale for 3 years so probably priced too high.

There was another one for $650 with No Rust in the ad text last year.

Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:05 am

Thanks Everett. Were the canvas loops and hinges the same for all years split? Both my gate and the one you linked have the same amount and in the same positions.

Good to chat...it's been a long time for me. I've been intentionally out of busses for personal reasons.

Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:11 am

Yes, I believe all the hooks and their positions are identical.

My best guess is that your gate is a smooth gate one but since you said the bed is messed up in another post, it's always possible it's been filled.

That is at least the 3rd later truck I have seen with a smooth rear gate over the years.

Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:28 am

EverettB wrote:

That is at least the 3rd later truck I have seen with a smooth rear gate over the years.

kind of makes you wonder if people driving their later trucks in the late 50's and 60's went to the junkyard to find a replacement rear gate off a BD. Or maybe fire sale at the dealership to get rid of old stock? I've seen one late truck with one smooth side gate.