TheSamba.com :: View topic - Jay Leno's Garage

Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:02 pm

To comment on a few comments here:

I was kinda happy to see the driver's door askew in the video. Made me think "great, I'm not the only one". But it's on my list ~ hopefully before I go mental.

No air cleaner? Ha! My bus had one when I bought it, with no oil in it. But it was there. Oh, along with a BIG split down the intake hose -conveniently turned out of view.

"Qualified bus mechanic"? Mmm. For once in my life, I bought a resto instead of doing it myself, from a seller with a ton of bus experience. It currently sits on 4 jack stands without a drive train and a front beam still in pieces that I'm restoring the correct way (not just clean and paint).

Currently armed with a Bentley, OACDP resources, wrenching experience, literacy and an attention for detail; I'd consider myself a "qualified bus mechanic" after owning only 1 compared to the shit I keep finding from qualified bus mechanics.

I've found, in general-not just buses, that 90% of people cut corners and do shit "just good enough". Stock or not, Gabriel has a nice ride but likely wouldn't know what's wrong on it and what's normal ~ nor would he likely care. That's not his fault.

It must be nice to live in that mental freedom the other 10% will never know.

Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:56 pm

Awesome. I need more of that and less cat videos.

Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:00 pm

Fredrok wrote:
It must be nice to live in that mental freedom the other 10% will never know.

It is nice! And I really enjoy the looks of your bus. Very sharp.

Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:40 pm

Breckskier wrote: Fredrok wrote:
It must be nice to live in that mental freedom the other 10% will never know.

It is nice! And I really enjoy the looks of your bus. Very sharp.

Hey thanks Breck. Ironically, that pic is representative of the great work the seller did with the paint and interior with a few exceptions. I'm wringing out issues on the mechanics that he primarily sourced out and likely unaware of many of the things I'm finding (he's really a great guy) but I'm getting a good VW education. But I'm side tracking the topic, apologies.

Point being that many without skill, tools or either are dependent on others to perform good work for them. Good work is plentiful but great seems to be a rare commodity anymore. Hopefully, Gabriel finds an air cleaner!

Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:33 pm

"Fredrok" I like your bus, and especially like that when the time came, you chose to go back to "the bus" when there are plenty of other options. I was disappointed with the slightly negative direction the show took to your buses mechanics, but hey, thats TV.

I'm sure it wont take much effort to get things running smoothly and reliably, and wish you years of stress free motoring with the safaris cranked open.

Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:06 am

This is pretty cool, seeing him appreciating old split bus is cool factor. Two thumbs up!

Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:08 am

The most disconcerting element of the video to me was the play in the steering wheel. (If i moved my steering wheel like Jay did on the freeway at 55mph my bus would flip over!) No wonder fluffy is scared to drive that thing at speed... :shock:

Wed Feb 04, 2015 11:12 am

Quote: Yeah, a lot not correct on that bus, starting with the color.

Luckily for you, you don't own it.

Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:55 pm

Sdmjake wrote: The most disconcerting element of the video to me was the play in the steering wheel. (If i moved my steering wheel like Jay did on the freeway at 55mph my bus would flip over!) No wonder fluffy is scared to drive that thing at speed... :shock:

Need to rebush and ream the center pin. Steering box probably isn't the culprit.

Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:16 pm

Guys be thankful for the exposure, no need to find the negative in everything. Plenty of people will see that episode and it might rekindle an interest in a few to own a bus.

That's good for all of us; do you think there is a fast growing community of Model A owners? How do you think that will bode for the reproduction parts market for them?

Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:50 pm

Pacmanfever wrote: Guys be thankful for the exposure, no need to find the negative in everything. Plenty of people will see that episode and it might rekindle an interest in a few to own a bus.

That's good for all of us; do you think there is a fast growing community of Model A owners? How do you think that will bode for the reproduction parts market for them? It would'nt hurt my feeling if LESS people were interested in VW's.

Generally speaking most reproroduction parts suck.

Thu Feb 05, 2015 9:12 pm

Split 66' wrote: Didn't see this posted here yet, correct me if I'm wrong.

great video, thanks for sharing!!

Thu Feb 05, 2015 9:25 pm

StockNazi wrote: Pacmanfever wrote: Guys be thankful for the exposure, no need to find the negative in everything. Plenty of people will see that episode and it might rekindle an interest in a few to own a bus.

That's good for all of us; do you think there is a fast growing community of Model A owners? How do you think that will bode for the reproduction parts market for them? It would'nt hurt my feeling if LESS people were interested in VW's.

Generally speaking most reproroduction parts suck.

My point is the larger the community, the better support network of vendors available. While some reproduction parts are substandard, you have to agree that having access to excellent replacement sheetmetal along with a host of other parts is a wonderful thing.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:28 pm

It wasn't good hearing when the owner said the bus wan't meant to be driven on the freeway. It was an understatement and he was totally wrong because our split buses have stood the test of times and they were raised and driven most of their lives on the freeway and that was even prior to our ownership of these wonderful buses. Nevertheless the video was cool and the last part absolutely funny!

Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:52 am

At least Jay could have interviewed Ewan MacGregor and the latter showing all this priced possessions split buses and other vee dubs... that would have been awesome!!

Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:43 pm

I cracked up when I saw no air filter and at some of his stupid statements, but we were all new bus owners at one point believing everything someone told us. He is just one with money.

Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:49 pm

I totally missed the no air filter........went and looked. Duh, I wondered why the breather hose was missing! I kill me :lol:

Sat Feb 07, 2015 9:06 pm

I like Jay Leno. I also appreciate his passion for automobiles. It was a bit disappointing listening to him talk about the bus during the interview in his shop. Clearly, he wasn't a VW bus fan and didn't go to any lengths to hide it. He did redeem himself "some" when he commented it was fun to drive.

It's nice to see classic VW's get exposure like this. I do agree that the owner needs to find a VW or bus mechanic who knows what he's doing to dial that one in completely.

Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:39 pm

I don't drive my busses on the Interstates either. (Interstates here comparable to freeways there)

Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:44 am

StockNazi wrote: Pacmanfever wrote: Guys be thankful for the exposure, no need to find the negative in everything. Plenty of people will see that episode and it might rekindle an interest in a few to own a bus.

That's good for all of us; do you think there is a fast growing community of Model A owners? How do you think that will bode for the reproduction parts market for them? It would'nt hurt my feeling if LESS people were interested in VW's.

Generally speaking most reproduction parts suck.

Well as the Brass era and 30's/40's cars have shown when the era goes past 60 years the people who have an emotional attachment to relive their youth retire or die. It is just a car without the scene tax.