TheSamba.com :: View topic - 21 window runner driver find! Vin decoding help. PICS INSIDE

Tue May 01, 2012 10:06 am

Hey guys I just purchased a 66' 21 window it's a running driving bus. I was looking up the vin and having kind of a hard time decoding it. This is my first VW purchase in along time so I am trying to re educate myself. The vin reads 256140035 on the tag on the inside upper roof console and back in the engine bay it reads the same. Here are some pix from the drive home!

Tue May 01, 2012 10:22 am

256140035

25 = model code.
Models
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/modelstype2.php
25 = Deluxe

6 = 1966

140035 = Bus # 140035 off the 1966 production line

There is more information on the M-code plate behind the right side front seat.
M-code plate info
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/id.php

Tue May 01, 2012 10:23 am

whats the how you found it story

Tue May 01, 2012 10:25 am

Right on thanks! I'll get on checking the m-code plate when i get home. Is there any special code I should look for the bus is a walk through barn door 21 window.

Tue May 01, 2012 10:30 am

"whats the how you found it story"

I replied to a craigslist add for a supper rusty single cab and when I got there the guy had this in his garage. Some-how I ended up with this one!

Tue May 01, 2012 11:10 am

spesockg wrote: Right on thanks! I'll get on checking the m-code plate when i get home. Is there any special code I should look for the bus is a walk through barn door 21 window.

Just a small correction, this is not a barndoor. This is a late model split. Barndoors are early. You're probably referring to the side doors - standard passenger cargo doors.

Tue May 01, 2012 2:10 pm

How did the single cab look?

Tue May 01, 2012 2:58 pm

spesockg wrote: "whats the how you found it story"

I replied to a craigslist add for a supper rusty single cab and when I got there the guy had this in his garage. Some-how I ended up with this one!

that's taking "bait and switch" to a whole other level

Tue May 01, 2012 3:18 pm

Was that the one in Stanwood?

Tue May 01, 2012 4:11 pm

rpattee wrote: How did the single cab look?

extreamly rusty! i mean really really really rusty!

Tue May 01, 2012 5:42 pm

Very nice score! =D>

Just from your VIN, the "5" in the 256 indicates it's a deluxe bus with short middle seat.

Deluxes came with the sunroof and roof windows as you have unless it was ordered deleted (code 130), so there is no code on the m-plate for those two features.

Split seats is code 081 on the m-plate.

If you've followed threads on Samba, you know the m-code plate is sometimes gone and there are often problems with VIN matching. The fact your air box plate number matches the only permanent number, in the engine compartment, is a major source of relief. Enjoy your new "bait and switch" purchse!

Tue May 01, 2012 6:28 pm

spesockg wrote:

What in the world happened to the corner? Looks like someone went crazy with a canopener!

Nice find, however. It is nice when you can drive them home.

Tue May 01, 2012 6:38 pm

olliehank47 wrote: Very nice score! =D>

Just from your VIN, the "5" in the 256 indicates it's a deluxe bus with short middle seat.

Deluxes came with the sunroof and roof windows as you have unless it was ordered deleted (code 130), so there is no code on the m-plate for those two features.

Split seats is code 081 on the m-plate.

If you've followed threads on Samba, you know the m-code plate is sometimes gone and there are often problems with VIN matching. The fact your air box plate number matches the only permanent number, in the engine compartment, is a major source of relief. Enjoy your new "bait and switch" purchse!

Thank you so much for confirming the research I have done! My bus does have the m-code plate :D so thats good and it seem all the numbers match all the way around, woot woot! I cant wait to return this thing to it former glory.

the M-plate has the code for the North American import stuff and the spit seat code and the 6 tilt out side window code.

The crazy thing is I just bought and sold 2 day earlier a 66' 13 window deluxe bus to a friend for a steal deal. When it rains it pours!

Tue May 01, 2012 7:05 pm

"The crazy thing is I just bought and sold 2 day earlier a 66' 13 window deluxe bus to a friend for a steal deal. When it rains it pours!"

Don't know what you paid but maybe it's Karma from the great deal you gave to your friend. :)

Tue May 01, 2012 11:12 pm

does anyone know the best place to start ordering sheet metal for this thing

Tue May 01, 2012 11:38 pm

spesockg wrote: does anyone know the best place to start ordering sheet metal for this thing

Bustoration is closer to you, cheaper faster shipping, possibly.
http://www.bustoration.com/bfont-color6b8e23Sheet-Metal--Rust-Repair-Panelsfontb_c_11.html

Monkeynut VW is a good place to check too.
http://www.monkeynutvw.com/parts/main.php?g2_itemId=45

Home of the Funky Green panels
http://www.klassicfab.com/

Congratulations on your '66, that's a sweet score!

Any pics of the interior?

Wed May 02, 2012 8:12 am

Nice find, that bad boy is straight out of a early 90's VW Trends with that color blue and the color matched 5 spokes !

Thu May 03, 2012 10:31 am

Split 66' wrote: spesockg wrote: does anyone know the best place to start ordering sheet metal for this thing

Bustoration is closer to you, cheaper faster shipping, possibly.
http://www.bustoration.com/bfont-color6b8e23Sheet-Metal--Rust-Repair-Panelsfontb_c_11.html

Monkeynut VW is a good place to check too.
http://www.monkeynutvw.com/parts/main.php?g2_itemId=45

Home of the Funky Green panels
http://www.klassicfab.com/

Congratulations on your '66, that's a sweet score!

Any pics of the interior?

Thanks for that! I'll try and get a couple pix of the interior. Hopefully I can turn this post into a build thread!

Thu May 03, 2012 2:43 pm

Sano!

Nice score BTW.

Thu May 03, 2012 3:01 pm

70 140 wrote: Sano!

Nice score BTW.

This photo actually looks like a HVW or VWT cover shot from about '92!