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Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:13 pm

How can I positively identify which year or span of years a middle seat in my possession is from? Where would the VW part number be stamped? This seat was sold to me as correct for a '66. I've since found that if it's even a VW seat, it's pre-June '61, since there are two tubes at the end for a tubular bar (vs. the ridged plastic grab handles). There is also an ashtray bracket on the back of the seat (VW 221 857) and a tubular armrest (cargo door side). Back of seat sits 32" high from floor; seat cushion 44"X18"; backrest 44"X18". Legs spaced 19" apart. Thanks for any and all help!

Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:27 pm

Sounds like an early grab bar middle seat:
Up to early 1956, it would have 6 legs.
56-61 had 4 legs.

1956-1957 would have a flat back rest, look at this '54 seat:
http://thesamba.com/vw/55kombi/10082002/cargo_doors.jpg
vs. this later seat:
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/31936.jpg
The bottom of the backrest juts out on the later seat.
1958-61 is like that later style above, just with unique upholstery combos.
59-60 is unique in that it has the vinyl-wrapped grab rails but the seat itself is identical:
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/13566.jpg

Wed Oct 30, 2002 1:48 pm

Actually, more specifically it sounds like you have a pre'61 Walkthru "Short" middle seat. Since you mentioned the armrest bar on the cargo door side. Understand, this is not a bad thing at all. The seat you have it likely worth more than a '66 seat. Post it for sale or trade for the proper seat. It sounds like what you have is more desirable and harder to find that what you need. Good luck.

Wed Oct 30, 2002 2:10 pm

Hmmm, good point, I missed that it was short seat.

Do you need a short seat or a long seat? I have a '64-'66 long seat around here somewhere.

Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:43 pm

Yes, it is a short seat...has 3 legs. The leg nearest the cargo door is recessed roughly 5" under the seat and the opposite leg is pretty much flush with the end of the seat cushion. Probably original upholstery, which looks to be a light blue everywhere (pretty close to the background color of some of the above posts!) but the cushions, which are whitish with lt blue piping. I don't have a color chart, but I'm guessing it's the blue/grey that was used from 8/58-2/61. Seat frames are black, probably original paint.

Wed Oct 30, 2002 4:56 pm

Ask Everett for some pics of his '66 seat. I'm sure he might be interested in doing a trade with you.

Wed Oct 30, 2002 11:29 pm

if the armrest bar comes from the back and terminates under the armrest rather than going back down to the frame && the seat has a grab handle that comes out of the top of the back, it is a 67 only seat. just another one of those wonderful 67 only parts. it will fit a later bus though. you can get it into your 66, but since the far right leg is in a different place from the early seats you will only be able to get middle and left legs clampeed down.

Thu Oct 31, 2002 8:07 am

The armrest bar is as described by Lind, but there are no grab bars. There are, however, two 1/8" holes drilled approximately 3/4" apart (center to center) on the BACK of the top rail, about 3 1/2" above the ashtray mount. Would the center retaining clip for the ridged grab bars mount here? I've uploaded some pics on the gallery under 1949-67 Bus Parts/Accessories if anyone wants to look. 3 pics titled mystery seat.

Thu Oct 31, 2002 8:11 am

it is definitely a 67 only 2/3 middle seat, the grab handle has been removed at some point.

Thu Oct 31, 2002 9:31 am

Hey Lind, excuse my ignorance but what upholstery scheme is that? Mesh Platinum?

The upholstery looks exactly like a full-length '64 seat I used to have:
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/8667.jpg
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/8666.jpg

Or maybe that seat wasn't a '64...

Thu Oct 31, 2002 10:21 am

Thanks Lind and Everett for your help....my guess on the upholstery would be aero papyrus, which (ironically) would be correct for my original Sea Blue/Cumulus White body.
However, I've never actually seen aero papyrus, just have been told its a bluish grey and my original floor mat is close in color to the blue of the seat. Further inputs definately would be welcome!

Thu Oct 31, 2002 10:39 am

my buddy and i both have sea blue/cumulus deluxes. both hardtops both walk throughs. i think i have some pics on file i can post. i think i have a n interior shot. his is low mileage one owner and absolutely beautiful. both busses are the interior combo you seem to have. his is beautiful with the blue mats.ill try to locate the pics and post them. his is registered as a 66 mine as a 67 no reverse lights dont have vin numbers handy.

Thu Oct 31, 2002 2:16 pm

that seat is aero papyrus white/steel. it came only on 66-67 blue and white deluxe buses (like my first bus a 66 deluxe sunroof).

the mesh platinum is the goldish looking salt and pepper.

Thu Oct 31, 2002 4:51 pm

Thanks to all who responded and a big thanks to Lind for finally nailing it down....now for a new thread on aero papyrus!

Fri Nov 01, 2002 5:03 pm

My Mesh Gray seat:
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/52097.jpg

Please correct my identification, if it is wrong.

Fri Nov 01, 2002 6:50 pm

Everett, that is a 65/66 seat. the 67 seat had an additional diagonal support tube inside each of the legs like a late model seat.

Fri Nov 01, 2002 7:27 pm

Thanks, I forgot about that. I think my brain is full and I'm losing info out the other side.

Fri Nov 01, 2002 9:18 pm

yeah, I know how that is. like when I took that home-brewing class and forgot how to drive........

Sat Nov 02, 2002 8:52 am

I updated the Gallery descriptions of the seats we were talking about.