TheSamba.com :: View topic - My Build thread! It will be slow...very slow

Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:12 pm

Hey guys, I am completely new to the forum along with the VW world. I am a member on the jeep forum so I do have some experience with how forums work, but if I am not posting this in the right section let me know. I recently came across a bus and had to get it for the price they were asking, free! It is in rough shape, and when I say rough I mean bad. I have done a lot of work on my jeep wrangler and two summers ago fixed up my first vintage car, a ford model A. I haven't done body work but got it up and running. As soon as I can figure out how to post pictures I will. I really need help on identifying what I've got (i.e. engine all that stuff.) and then I need to be pointed in a direction. I really appreciate all the help in advance! Oh and I believe it's a 74

Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:48 pm

Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:50 pm

73? well it looks like it will buff out !
Rebuild the carbs don't toss em and install a single POS carb.....

Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:08 pm

Looks like a '77-'79 (based on the steering wheel) Reef Blue (a nice color, preserved in the passenger door jamb) basic transporter.

The third digit of the VIN will give you which year of the 70's this bus is from. That is , a VIN of "2272*******" is a '77, "2282*******" is a '78, etc.

And while it may seem a bit rough, with the shot tires and the sketchy engine, I expect that most of it will actually clean up very nicely. Though we have not seen the underside. :)

Good grab! Even at $500. Even better at $0. Now you can buy tires with the $500 you did not have to spend. Another $3000-5000 in it, and you will have a fine running bus! (one that is worth $6000-8000, perhaps.)

Send us the M-codes, which are embossed on a plate riveted to the top of the round duct just forward of the driver's left knee. You can't read it (unless you pull the instruments or the turn signal housing) but you can do a rubbing of it with a pencil or crayon and paper.

Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:08 pm

The third digit of the serial number is the last digit of the year of manufacture. If the serial number starts out like 224 or 234 you would have a '74 model. If it starts out something like 223 or 233 it would be a '73 model.

Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:29 pm

Thanks for the quick responses guys! I'll check out the vin tomorrow and post it up for y'all to "decode." I am currently in school at Auburn University which is about 50 minutes down the road from my house (where the bus is). So my access to it will be limited to the weekends. I greatly appreciate y'all's help!

Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:29 pm

Man. If you think THATS bad, you aint seen nothing. For Alabama, that looks great! Hahaha Welcome!

Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:26 pm

I couldn't find the spot near the driver's knee but I took these pictures that might work. Y'all let me know
This one is in the driver's door jam

This sticker was on the engine

And this was stamped on the body in the engine compartment

Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:37 pm

'74. The smog pump on the engine gave it away, but the VIN makes it official.

Doesn't look like to bad of a place to start! Good luck, and keep us posted!

Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:43 pm

What trim/model is it? I need to know so I know how to look up parts/posts etc

Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:51 pm

She looks pretty run'o the mill from here. To get the specs though, you'll need to run the codes in the build plate.

Here's the list:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/mcodest2.php#1968-1979

Here's the automaic decoder, works good so long as you put the numbers in the right place.
http://www.vw-mplate.com/mcode.php

Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:00 pm

i made this terrible video last winter for my friends trish and don. it tells you how to find your m code. m code tells you everything that came on your bus. hope it helps.

Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:08 pm

Who is better than you Ken?!

Two of you!

Kidding, for real. Nice video. I should've explained where to find it in hindsight, rather than just tell him to run the codes...

Edit:
When I had to read mine I just stuck my phone up there and took about a dozen pictures. Some with flash some without etc. it worked great. It was tough to get a rubbing because you can't really fit both hands up there easily unless you're a contortionist...

Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:04 pm

Paintedbus wrote: i made this terrible video last winter for my friends trish and don. it tells you how to find your m code. m code tells you everything that came on your bus. hope it helps.

Accurate for a late Bay, but not a '74. The M-Code plate on a '74 will be on the wall right behind the driver's seat.

Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:48 pm

somebody beat me to the smog pump.

Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:03 pm

Alright well I just got back to Auburn (was home for a doc appointment), but I'll be back home Friday so ill post the m-code up then. Helpful video! I'll check there and behind the seat

Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:11 pm

vwjunkie1974 wrote: somebody beat me to the smog pump.

I know, right....duh :roll:

:lol:

Wed Sep 18, 2013 10:29 am

Looks like a relatively solid bus to start with. Have fun!

Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:41 pm

Welcome!

Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:26 pm

Alright guys it has been a while since I first got on here, and I come with bad news. I am struggling to finish out paying for school (last semester) and need to liquidate somethings. My model A has to stay so the bus must go.... I had someone who did some work on my mom's house say he was interested and for me to give him a call if I ever wanted to sell it. My question for y'all (just going off the pictures) is what should I ask for it starting off? and what should be the less amount of money I take for it? It kills me to have to get rid of it before I even had a chance/money to start working on it. Thanks in advance for any comments