TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Feb 27, 2003 3:28 pm

I have so many missing parts and I don't know whether I should keep pushing to OG or if I should just buy aftermarket....

Take a look at my missing parts list on my website and let me know which ones I should wait to find on the samba, and which ones I should just buy from Wolfsburg or the other after market companies:

http://www.my21window.com/missing.htm

Justin
http://www.my21window.com

Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:18 pm

It really depends on how patient you are in terms of getting your project complete as well as your access to good VW meets (like Pomona, for instance). One rule that I've found is that no matter what I buy, I will find it cheaper and in better condition within a few days after I plunk my $$$ down, even if I've been looking for the item for 6 months.

Thu Feb 27, 2003 6:47 pm

I agree with jazzed.
That's some list.
I don't feel so bad about how much I paid for my stuff now.

Thu Feb 27, 2003 6:54 pm

I got some chrome flippers for sale. 20 bucks they are yours.
john

Thu Feb 27, 2003 9:52 pm

Yeah quite a list. Why I'd never get another VW that wasn't already finished.

Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:13 pm

i have good repops antennas for safaris if you need one.
Let me know
Dave

Fri Feb 28, 2003 9:36 am

My problem is that I live in Florida and there are about 2 good shows all year and I have not been here long enough to know any locals.

As for the parts, I have to agree that I will also never buy another bus again that isn't almost complete. I had tha illusion that if I bought a cheap incomplete bus that I would be better off in the long run... Bad mistake.

I have only bought a few things from Wolfsburg. Aside from Wolfsburg, what other aftermarket company would be worth going to? Where will I get the most bang for my buck?

Fri Feb 28, 2003 1:52 pm

justin, we got 3 shows coming up. Go to sevwc.com for details. Have you ever dealt with the guy from BUS BONES?

Fri Feb 28, 2003 1:59 pm

I'm blessed with a great local vw shop, but If I where going mail order I'd buy from ronnie(no it's not me) in AZ, www.type2parts.com
It's the kind of place where when you call the guy who owns the place answers the phone.
He also knows his shit and pays attention to where parts where made and how similar items made by different companies compare.

Fri Feb 28, 2003 5:07 pm

Wow, Some pictures. It makes me very happy that my bus, although rusty, is nothing like that. That would definately be outside the scope of me, my mig welder and my garage.

Good luck. I bookmarked as I am interested in seeing her come together.

Doug

Note to Dave: Any pics of the repo safari antenna? dougburgy@msn.com is my email.

Fri Feb 28, 2003 8:45 pm

I agree with you Justin...it's amazing how much all those little missing parts can add up to. Once I've got mine done, I will post some of my new personal "rules" for buying a "project" VW. The one I bought was mechanically very sound, but in retrospect, I might have been better off with a vehicle with all the parts except engine and trans. What blows me away was that I paid $6700 for a 21 and there were receipts for over $8000 worth of repairs, tires, etc in the two years prior to my purchase. I estimate an additional $8000 by the time I'm done. Altho' my investment will be around $14,000, I can understand why the previous owner might have become disheartened and let the bus go. When I bought it, I really thought I could get everything done for maybe $3000 and I probably could have had I not become very anal about doing everything EXACTLY right. As I mentioned in a previous thread some weeks back, the bus I aspire to own is the one you have pictured. To answer your previous question, I've had great luck with Wolfsburg West, I like dealing with BusBoys and I second Ronnie Chase's nomination of type2parts.com. There are also some great sellers on this website and you can read the classified threads to see who the bad guys are. Best of luck!

Sat Mar 01, 2003 1:52 am

Justin you actually did not go wrong buying a bus needing all those parts, here's why; I have a friend who plunked down big bucks for a "completley original" deluxe bus. I bought mine as a shell for $350 and spent 12 years getting to as OG as I could. My secret is that he only thinks he has an OG bus. Since I have spent all the time studying I have found many mistakes and non original parts on his bus. I'm nice enough not to burst his bubble and he relys upon me to let him know bit by bit what's not right on his bus.

Sat Mar 01, 2003 7:30 am

justin,

I think i have a really nice set of jailbars for you. And maybe some other stuff. Email me at mike@foreignpolicy1.com

Sat Mar 01, 2003 8:45 am

Justin,

You'll get there with your parts list and restoration. You've got the Samba and don't forget eBay. I've picked up some good original used stuff (front floor mat, steering wheel, etc.) in the last couple months from eBay. Fortunately I'm starting with a bus that's a little more solid and is a panel (much less interior stuff needed). I have gotten most of my front cab interior panels from Wolfsburg and they look like good quality pieces.

Be sure to hook up with Das Kool Bullis, a NEATO chapter in St. Pete, FL. They put on a great bus show every year the day before the Nov. FL BugJam. Kris Heinicka heads up the DKB and his phone# is in the NEATO newsletter.

I've got 4 good popout latches that I could sell you. They came off a '64 and I won't be needing them (no rear windows in a panel). They look like they will clean up pretty nice. I'm only at my work e-mail address M-F, 9-5 eastern time.
-stan.wohlfarth@rb.com

Sat Mar 01, 2003 6:31 pm

Justin,
Don't let the "I bought a completed bus and now I won't have to spend another dime" comments get you down. These are 36 to 54 year old vehicles, and if you use them at all, you will be spending mucho dinero on them. At least you will have the expertise to do further needed work yourself, and in the end, will probably spend no more nor less than anyone else.

Mon Mar 03, 2003 10:39 am

Thanks to all of you for your support!!! I feel like I am in an AA meeting or something. I guess we are all addicts in our own way! But is our addition any less dangerous? My wife doesn't think so. :)

I remember when I bought this bus that I would need about $5000 for body work and paint, another $2500 for new trany and engine, $1000 for new electrical systems, and another $2000 for missing parts. It appears that I will need more like $12000 body and paint, $5000 for tranny and engine, and another $4000 for parts. It apppears that I will spend $1000 for each window on the bus!!!!

Glandnut, thanks for the heads up about the shows. I guess I was unaware of any events other than the Bullibrigade, Bug Jam, and the Miami show.

Jazzed, I most definitely understand your frustrations. I guess that I just need to realize that this is a "project."

I went down to my bodyshop to take a few more pictures and talk to the guys about my bus. They of course think this project is CRAZY and think that I am nuts for trying to pull it off. If these guys weren't so good at what they do, and I mean good, I would have to take my bus elsewhere. However, these guys are true artisans and I appreciate their ability to make custom metal parts for those hard to reach places!

I will follow up with TYpe2 and busboys. Thanks guys....

Mon Mar 03, 2003 10:52 am

To put it in perspective, you can spend $20,000 - $30,000 on a nice 21 window deluxe. It will take you 5-7 years to save the money, or take out a loan, and spend 5-7 years paying it back, in addition to the years you spend looking for the right bus to come along... and THEN you will spend "x" number of dollars to personalize the bus, because no matter how perfect it is, it can always be MORE perfect. or, you can do exactly what you have done. as you said, you may have $1000 per window invested, and a few years of time, but when it is done, you will know that it is DONE. Although the task is daunting, you may very well end up ahead, in both time and money.

Mon Mar 03, 2003 6:03 pm

$21,000 is just about the current going price for a nice 21 window. So you are doing OK if you can stick to that schedule. Then, you can drive the bus for "free" until you sell it, which by the end of all this, you won't want to do. Talk about a vicious cycle!

Tue Mar 04, 2003 2:14 pm

That is a good point. I will never sell this thing...Too much blood and sweat on this one!

Either I can fork out the money I don't have for a new car that I won't want after 60K miles, or I can build a classic that will turn heads for years to come...

I have made my decision and I am sticking to it!

Tue Mar 04, 2003 6:47 pm

justin;
I have been working on a container with parts and vehicles going to LAX end of this month. I have most of the itmes you need from the 1st list. All OG-nice used.

email me at the end of the month.