TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Mar 14, 2003 10:03 pm

Dang, I ordered a set of safaris from CE (plus a full set of popouts) and they are still not here! It's been about a month since I placed the order. How long does it take to make them?? In their defense, Dave said he wants to keep a small shop, and a great quality product, but I'm dying over here waiting!

Summer is coming, I feel the need for a breeze!

Anyone else with CE safaris and popouts please post how nice they are so I can live vicariously through you.

Turbo_g
66 Kombi

Fri Mar 14, 2003 11:09 pm

Turbo_g,

I'll post some photos of my CE safari's in the morning for you to drool over. Mine took a little while to get here also, but well worth the time...

Scott

Fri Mar 14, 2003 11:11 pm

Scott,

Where are you? Do they leak? How much breeze do you get with them full open? I heard that if you keep all the rear windows closed, you only get a small bit of air in the front (no squinting required).

Man I can't wait.

Did you install them yourself?

Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:23 am

That sucks they are taking so long. Ive always heard that they take forever to get, even though Dave came on here in his own self defense, it still seems slow. Anyways, dont worry yet g-turbo, its supposed to rain this weekend. after tuesday, then id worry because its been really nice here lately.....jake.

Sat Mar 15, 2003 10:09 am

g_turbo,

I live in Southern California and yes, I installed them myself. I mig welded in the supports and they work great. They haven't leaked so far, but I carry a towel just in case to protect my radio. During the summer when I am driving the coast highway through town (25-35 mph), I open them up all the way and with all the windows closed you need goggles (my sunglasses suffice). It's just short of driving a motorcycle when you go any faster. I will open them a couple of inches at higher speeds when it is hot outside, because with 23 windows the driver's window and the passenger window don't do the job letting all the heat out. It's actually a little more comfortable having the popouts open with the safaris open. You don't get that pressure build-up of air pounding your ears. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions when you are installing them. I just emailed you a couple of before and after photos. It's raining pretty hard out right now, so I'm not shooting any photos this morning...

Scott

Sat Mar 15, 2003 4:30 pm

mine took 2 weeks. i was surprised they got here so quick from GB.

Sat Mar 15, 2003 4:52 pm

A month is a bit long. But give him a break. Like you said-small shop great product. Plus overseas. I dont think your doing him any favors by badmouthing him. Be thankful he's making the stuff. You obviously chose him over someone else for a reason. Right?

Sun Mar 16, 2003 9:43 am

Bubble,

I have NOT badmouthed Dave or CE EVER on this site. I did choose him for his reported superior product. I was just venting my anticipatory feelings about the wait....

If you read my original post, I said I understand (even appreciate) Daves commitment to quality over speed.

If anyone from CE is reading this, THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES FOR MAKING GOOD REPRO BUS WINDOWS!!!!!!

That should set the record straight.

Turbo_g
66 Kombi

Sun Mar 16, 2003 12:33 pm

I got Safarie's from CE , but didn't receive the latches w/ the windows. I been waiting 8-10 weeks now. 4-5 weeks ago Dave said they were almost finished. I've e-mailed 2-3 times,in the 5 week wait, but never got e-mailed back. It would be nice just to know when I could expect delivery. I'm not pissed yet - just would like to know how things are progressing. Tom

Sun Mar 16, 2003 2:04 pm

g_turbo,

Did you ever get my photos?

Sun Mar 16, 2003 2:42 pm

Yeh, me too g_turbo,

Did you ever get my "make me feel better by sending me some photos of your CE safaris installed"?

Scott

Sun Mar 16, 2003 3:48 pm

i had to wait for about a month to gey mine and they didnt come with the latches either. that was around x-mas when i got them (the safaris) and i just got my latches a few weeks ago. ill say one thing my safaris are nice but they are a bitch to put together. im talkin the glass into the frame. i came up with a bunch of new words that day. i wish CE would have a better email responce. it makes me a bit sketchy to buy anything else from them after dealing with my safaris

Sun Mar 16, 2003 4:12 pm

buster and farleytom, please e/mail me. i have a question about your safaris. thanks, john walker

Sun Mar 16, 2003 9:37 pm

As a friend of Dave Palmers and a past U S distributor and supporter of C E products, I have told and tell everyone to CALL them. It is only Dave and Wendy, they do a lot more then just make Safaris and I am personally dumbfounded at all the products he produces. So far evryone I know that has CALLED them has had excellent service and delivery (except those dam latchs)of which another friend of mine has talked to Dave about (I was told)

Sun Mar 16, 2003 9:54 pm

Scott,

Got the pics VERY NICE. How cool is your bus! Dang, wish mine was a 23.....

My 66 Kombi will be a non-factory STD when I get it back (hopefully a week from monday).

I went with a variation of beige gray over titan red, 6 factory pop-outs will be replaced with CE polished Al, safaris CE polished Al (when I get them) 1915cc, dual port, single 36PICT, og gearbox with red. boxes (may change to IRS in the future).

Interior will be offwhite perf headliner, red crushed velour wrapped with creme vinal seats (middle is full with fold down) 10 piece interior panels red/creme/red to match the seats, new rubber floormats (front and rear). The dash has been repaired back to OG (or as close as the body guy could make it). It's an original Cal bus (Black/Yellow original plates). Real good shape, only one hole in the floorboard (drivers left foot). That's been cut and replaced.

All in all, I spent over $10G, not bad for "just a Kombi".

I'm dying to get her back on the road....

Here is what she looked like when I first got her home:
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/56308.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/56304.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/56306.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/56302.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/56300.jpg

Again, thanks for the pics, maybe someday we can cruise together.

Greg
Turbo_g
66 Kombi

Sun Mar 16, 2003 10:23 pm

Bought my 23 about a year ago up in Salt Lake City. Flew up there with a bag of tools and my fingers crossed. Had to hold it in 4th gear all the way home to Southern California (bungee cord to the seat post). 45mph winds, 110 degrees and triple trailer tractors blowing me into the shoulder. Redid the trans, brakes, brake lines, drums, cables, electrical, and a myriad of other stuff to get it on the road. Drive it everyday and love it. I was planning a big bash for my wife and my 30th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks when she said "let's take the bus up to Santa Barbara, driving the coast wherever possible and tracing all the surf spots from my childhood". Life is good (but I will load a few more tools for the trip).

Scott

Sun Mar 16, 2003 10:47 pm

Funny, when I bought my Kombi, myself and two neighbors flew up to Visalia (in my neighbors Cessna, actually I piloted his plane). Then he flew back, and myself and my other neighbor drove back to San Diego, AmEx, AAA card, change of clothes, cash and tools all ready for the breakdown. 9 hours later we were in my driveway, only stopped for gas and food. Damn lucky.

I wish my wife would get into it, but she will have nothing to do with my old bus (maybe her tune will change when the "resto" is done).

I'm going to use it as a "quasi-daily" driver. I'll also use it to tote my board to the beach and teach my son to surf.

Maybe at our 10 year anniversary....naw, she wont want a road trip in it...ever!

Something for me and the boy to bond over, hopefully.

Turbo_g
66 Kombi

Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:41 am

hey guys...got my CE's in 5 days all the way to washington, no missing parts. Not in yet as I am gettin them painted with the bus next week. will post a pic when i get them in. hang in there and good luck, they are nice...anyone with problems...CALL THEM!!!

Tue Mar 18, 2003 9:05 pm

Haha, I remember back in 1997 when I bought my all original 1955 Kombi. We took my buddys Honda up to Diamond Bar from San Diego, 2 hours up at 70 mph, bought the Bus, and drove it straight home, 36hp and split case trans, bias plies, etc., 4 hours back at about 45-50mph tops! Not a problem but so slow that it's a hazard on the freeway. Lots of unfriendly fingers from passers by...

Wed Mar 19, 2003 2:51 pm

66split, you give me hope. I will be ordering up my CE safaris in a week or two and hope my experience is like yours. As said before, thank god someone is making these nice parts for us.

Doug

ps. Turbo...bummer about your wife. I think my wife (of 14 years) is more excited about our 66 deluxe getting done than I am. Of course, she has yet to pick up a chunk of sandpaper (might mess up her nails, ya know).

Doug