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Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:44 pm

I am trying to put together a Bus Spotter's guide and was wondering if anyone has already done such. Would be neat and helpful to all newbies-myself included, when I see a Bus heading down the road, one quick glance and can figure out the year model.
anyone know of a 'guide' in existence?
Thanks
gary

Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:14 pm

The book is called "original vw bus" by lawrence meridith, bay view books.

There should be a newbie area here that say, buy this book read it from cover to cover then enter split forums. LOL :D

Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:18 pm

Keith- You are absolutely right. There would certainly be a LOT less "Double Barndoor" sightings.
Here's another popular one amoungst the fools who don't know what they are talking about:
How many times have you heard some jackoff call a 21 or 23 window a "safari" Bus because of the "safari" windows in the roof?
Too bad they already blew up Bikini Island cause we could send these guys out there and take care of them with one bomb.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:55 pm

BUCIOBATISTI wrote: Too bad they already blew up Bikini Island cause we could send these guys out there and take care of them with one bomb.

Kinda harsh. :) Everyone has to start somewhere.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:17 pm

I was thinking of something along the line of a 'cheat sheet', keep on the visor, for a quick reference. What got me thinking was the recent post on slash vs point bumpers on 64-65's.
Thanks
Gary

Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:31 pm

If every bus had a copy of "original vw bus" and "the bentley" in them then bus owning shure would be easier for the newbie. I guess thats what vw were trying with the handbook.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:39 pm

galexander wrote: I was thinking of something along the line of a 'cheat sheet', keep on the visor, for a quick reference. What got me thinking was the recent post on slash vs point bumpers on 64-65's.
Thanks
Gary

cheat sheat, shiat, you gots to memorize this stuff.

quick rundown:
big decklid and/or no overhang over the front windows, barndoor '50-early'55
no lip or pressings on the fresh air intake under the overhang, late '55
pressings under the overhang, but still no lip, early-mid'56
brakelight lid/bubble taillights post barndoor through mid'57
dollar taillights with pressed bumpers and flat lid mid'57-mid'58
pressed bumpers with lipped decklid, late'58.
pressed bumpers with indented forward cargo door super early '59
later bumpers with rearward shifter location '59-mid'60
forward shifter with high hinge doors mid'60 through early'61
low hinge doors with dollar taillights '61
flat wheel wells with outtie vents '62
outie vents with lipped wheel wells early '63
innie vents with lipped wheel wells and small hatch late'63
fat hatch with flipper door handles early '64
earlier colors with later door handles late'64
later colors with church key engine lid '65
push button engine lid with church key gas flap '66
non church key gas flap '67

see how easy it is? that was all off the top of my head.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:20 pm

Lind- I'm ready to do battle in the BDMParty/Bus Jeopardy this June. I've been gearing up for this test for the last 17 years! You know what I mean, right? Win or lose, I'm still taking some Newkies prisoner.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:49 pm

Any idea on the vin# or build date of when they went to the push button handles? And would the pull style fit right in a door thats housing the push button style?

Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:51 pm

BUCIOBATISTI wrote: Lind- I'm ready to do battle in the BDMParty/Bus Jeopardy this June. I've been gearing up for this test for the last 17 years! You know what I mean, right? Win or lose, I'm still taking some Newkies prisoner.

sweet. I love a good challenge. I have only been studying up for the last 13 years, but I think I can still compete.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:31 pm

[email protected] wrote: The book is called "original vw bus" by lawrence meridith, bay view books.

There should be a newbie area here that say, buy this book read it from cover to cover then enter split forums. LOL :D I agree 100%, Keith; Laurence's book has helped me out a great deal, especially in regards to building Bus models.

I actually got to meet Laurence about 6 years ago, just before that book hit the market - he had a pre-release copy with him, so we got a sneak peek. He was doing the writing for a potential book project, and Colin Burnham was taking the pictures. Colin snapped pics of my friend's Oval & cherry Ghia convertible, and one of me & a few of my VW models..."Small wonders," as Laurence called them. 8)

Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:21 pm

yeah, why do people always mis-count windows?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/index.php?alert+200312041531156324

Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:32 pm

They like to count vent windows and if you think about it, who ever came up with the current agreed upon number wasn't thinkin' too clear or he couldn't count. Why if a window is a window doesn't a vent window count?

Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:24 am

The window-counting thing has always been a mystery to me too. Who set the original 'standard' for window counting? I usually just tell non-VW people it's based on the number of openings in the body shell, rather than try to explain that each front door is only counted as one....even though it contains three pieces of glass. :roll:

It's kinda like street rods as well...... a "3-window coupe" actually has FOUR windows, and a "5-window" actually has SIX. Strange world indeed, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. 8)

Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:53 am

I agree, the street rod count has always been bad too, I guess uneven numbers sound, like automotive manufactureres say "sexxxy". I have also noticed the same thing with early 50's chevy pick up trucks.

Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:48 pm

Lind,
Now that's what I am talking about. I will study and study and then it'll be comitted to memory. They key being after the studying to not sleep or drink too many.
Thanks
Gary

Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:02 pm

There is also the blatently obvious back ups lights for a late 67. Also, if you can see the color of the dash knobs, black is 67.

Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:05 pm

They're not just black like the early commercial, they're surrounded by a rubber ring, that way when you have a wreck you wont gouge your legs on the dash knobs before your head goes through the windshield and ribcage gets crushed by the steering wheel.

Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:10 pm

LOL Thank god VW thought of THAT one!! I was really worried about hanging up on those early knobs before being thrown free from the wreckage! :lol:

Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:43 pm

SuperSkim:
Mis-counting windows? What am I missing in the link you sent:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/index.php?alert+200312041531156324

It is and always will be an 11 window. Just as the ad says.....