The SK 692A special paint westfalia

[sled]

I thought I would start a thread for these buses with the paint code SK 692A.

I say special paint because they appear to be relatively uncommon, and possibly available for a short window of time. I am not 100% convinced that the paint codes used are the same as that of palm green/sand green as seen on 55 through 58 standard microbuses. I have a 58 standard with amazing original paint that I have done a few comparisons with. The upper color on the westfalia is considerably more green than that of sand green. 50 years can do a lot to paint though, so who knows.

The buses that I have found in my research have all been built within a 4~5 month period with the last bus being a couple months later than the earlier grouping, and a different camper model. All of the so-23's are of the same code designation A23 which is the most basic model offered, no icebox, no stove or toilet...odd?

I speculate that possibly westfalia and/or volkswagen wanted to offer a new color option to its customers for the new 61 model year. 6~7 months of production before the transition was made into so-34's and the more common 62 and later colors.

here is my bus initially, while no show stopper by any means, every bus has its potential. Unfortunately the bus was left outside here in the northwest for 8 years with no windows and only a shitty blue tarp thrown over it. The engine was removed and set on a pallet new to the bus with an equally poor tarp covering it. Some kids sprayed some white graffiti on it at one point as well.

I wont bore with tons of pictures of the little things Ive done along the way, but first I brought it inside and set some lights and fans inside the bus to keep it warm and air moving..hoping to dry out the completely saturated woodwork.

Like anyone, I was very curious what the paint was like underneath that hideous baby blue and white. Well there was a layer of Turkis/blue white that I am guessing was used to 'update' the bus or maybe the owners just didnt like that dark green paint. Either way, hundreds of hours later stripping/sanding/buffing I have an original paint SK692A so-23

the aforementioned 58 standard in the background

removed to the let the tar strips dry and clean/flatten

some cushions that I made using original springs (thanks mark) and fabric that is not perfect but is far cheaper than the material from europe, maybe some day I will pony up for that fabric. I also fabricated a rear backrest frame as mine was missing.

The bus just completed its first real test with a 550 mile trip to a show/campout. It passed with flying colors.

greg keeping an eye on his beautiful tent and previously NOS poles, set up on my bus this weekend.

the original BLACK sisal mat which I believe to be a late so-23 transitional thing into flipseats where the mats are always black.

now onto the other buses!

The oldest bus is owned by Grailoc up in canada. Built september 30th, three months before mine. The bus is currently beautifully restored inside and out. The upper color is seagull grey because at the time of restoration he did not know the paint code or have a sample to match.

as found

currently

The next oldest bus is in the UK. (and for sale currently!)
built very early october
m-codes 374 A23 168 181
destination UL (st loius)

was partially original paint, now has all rust fixed and is mostly blended paint. Has a very nice reproduction interior kit from the Netherlands installed.

the pressed bumper is not correct but the owner preferred it.

The next bus is located in the midwest and is a stripped shell painted completely white. This bus is identical to mine other than being built 30 days earlier. Same codes and destination. Maybe a customer saw this bus and wanted one for themselves, ordering mine?

There is another so-23 located in virginia that is rumored to be nice original paint, but is awaiting full restoration as that is what the owner prefers. I am hoping he sees this thread and contributes with some photos and information.


The last bus is actually a so-34, built very early april. Possibly one of the earlier so-34s? Located in utah undergoing complete restoration

Vin 775,XXX

as found

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drive your split.

[Big Bill]

Great info sled, I have never seen this color in person. I have admired grailocs bus but thought it was Mouse Grey/ Pearl White, thanks for the info.

[vw7266]

jake ur camper looks great...now drive it to the east coast

[Jung Restoration]

Very nice sled, your bus has now moved up into my top ten favorites. Love the uniqueness of the color combo, and that it's a Westy.

Looks like you have put a ton of time into saving this incredible bus, bravo!
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Wanted : January '57 Palm Green Sand Green Bus Parts - Middle and Rear Seat Frames - flat back. I have original seat covers but would consider covered frames.
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Jung Restoration - Jung is my last name and restoration is what I do for work. I restore antique windows and doors here in the Northeast. Check out my site www.antiquewindowrestoration.com

[GTV]

Cool topic. More pics where this came from:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=401989
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[M183kombi]

The so-34 was found in n dakota, is owned by a schmuck in colorado & is in oregon getting paint...the vin on the flipseat is 755xxx although it has been cut out front & back...there are a ton of pics of that bus in the official flipseat thread...
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1960 L31 M183 kombi

[srfndoc]

Sweet bus Sled and nice work restoring it the way you did.
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[earlywesty]

the only colour that is cooler than pg/sg is westy sg/pg

Awesome buses here and I didn't even put the colour combo together on grailocs.

[Z]

I love this bus...very cool, and a great save/restoration/preservation.

[Touch Nicks Thing]

Holy fuck, way cooler then I imagined! Stellar work whitey!

[sled]

thanks!


yes there are more pictures of a couple of these buses here on the samba, and I have many more pictures of some of the others that have not been posted. If the current owners don't mind I can post the rest.

No project is ever "done" but atleast it is a daily driver now. I am searching for some of the missing westy "gucci" parts like cargo net for non-icebox bus, emka cups and their holder, original or Alex reproduction bungees, tent/poles, stove, rack etc...I have a lead on some of these items so we will see if their acquisition comes to fruition.

the bus was missing one of the safaris when I got it as the previous owner had sent it and one of the pop-out frames to a glass shop to get all new glass cut. I sourced another original passenger frame (thanks Corey) and assembled them.

This winter I will be carefully removing the whole interior to get the ceiling and long wall panels out so I can re-glue the veneers and refinish them.

the cushions were fun. The material I found is quite heavy like original but I could only find white/black so I dyed them yellow. I used upholstery cotton as foam gives them a bizarre puffy look, not like the original horse hair pads.

original wiring for the clamshell lights and the water pump. The original water tank filler neck is in place but dry cracked beyond use. The water pump works but is still 6v and I had to unhook the switch as its wiring is melted so it constantly spins.

this is how I got hooked into stripping the whole damn thing (never again will I strip a whole car)

the front humpback seat was in very nice condition other than all the seams being blown out. I restitched them through the original thread holes...dont do this unless you have way too much time on your hands!!!

removed the headliner cards, soaked them, set heavy items on them, and let them dry to flatten them.

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drive your split.

[gatorwyatt]

Stripping paint makes for numb hands...looks nice though.
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wanted:
Nothing!

[Clara]

Your bus cleaned up really well.
When I saw it before it was a crusty chunk of moldy funk. It looked worse in person than it did in your pics.

Now, it's pretty sweet.

[grailoc]

[RHD Notch]

Great bus and thread sled...has to be in the top three of my favorite color combos...right at home on an early bus.
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[mandraks]

very cool, right year bus and those early interiors totally do it for me. this coming from a former dormo, westy 66 owner
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[Stocknazi]

[sled]

[kafer60]

I would like to know where in virginia that bus is!
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[Das Dragon]

Good job Sled..bus is lookin' great!
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