Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC

[wcfvw69]

Gene,

I'm glad to hear you're on the mend. I commented on your post of FB as well. That old bus really stood up to that impact. When I first saw the pictures, I figured it was a fatality crash.
An accident like that scares all of us classic VW drivers. I was just at my dentists office. He was talking about his love of riding his Harley motorcycle. I told him I drove classic VW's and we were both not driving the safest things on the rode. He responded the exact way I do when people talk about driving classic VW's. If it's my day to go, it's may day to go. Life's to short to not drive what we love.

We're all wishing you a speedy recovery from your injuries.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
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Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[deepseeman]

First off...Gene, I don't know you, but wish you a speedy recovery. Hopefully everything will turn out well for you in health and the insurance company takes care of you properly.

That crash pic is a dose of reality. For the past year I have been hesitant to drive my 356, as these cali drivers in San Diego tend to ride your f*cking ass. Even in the slow lane going 70. I notice myself watching my rear view more than the road. I was almost rear ended 3 times in one day. I always leave room in front. it has saved my ass, rather my cars ass, more times than not.

it saddens me to realize that I always question myself when I go to drive my bus. I have the fears of a dumbass driver, distracted driver or uninsured driver ruining all the hard labor and love that I put into something. And yes, I would rather put my 356 at risk over my buses.

Anyway, To Gene a speedy recovery and to others, just be careful out there. people tend to forget that classics don't have the capabilities and safety requirements of new cars.
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in the barn:

61' Double Cab-restored driver
91 SYNCRO

[pondoras box]

Gene:

Keeping you in our prayers and sending you get well wishes from Erie, PA. We have never met but I am sure I have watched earnestly as Kelly updated pictures of your bus on his old website back in the day.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Kelly and he is a great guy and you couldn't ask for better company as you go through your healing journey.

Robert
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.

1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda)
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk

[obus]

Glad to see you are on the mend. Keep up the positive attitude!!
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July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
66 21 window bus built 8/31/65 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=777273

[ach60]

Good luck to Gene Hickman, wishing you a speedy recovery.
I saw a set walk around photos from this Bus "post accident" on Facebook.
There was not a single panel on this bus that was undamaged!
I complement who ever did the metal work on this of this bus.
I've seen more than a few of these where front panel simply rips away from the floor.
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Good Luck
Al

[G-wood Todd]

Glad to hear that you are mending. I wish you wellness on your journey to come. On a side note, I have to admit that your wreck inspired me to finally install seatbelts in my kombi.
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and take the kids for instance "Are we going in the Volkswagen bus?" and they say "Yay!" and clap their hands and if it's a glorious day you can slide the sunroof back and let a little of the glory in and all of a sudden, it stops looking funny.

-Volkswagen ad

[Pinetops]

I'm so glad to hear you are recovering. I'm also very sorry you had to go through that. I wish you continued recovery.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[westcoastbullies]

hang in there Gene...

someone decided it wasent your time and for that were grateful, speedy recover and keep the positive attitude.
_________________
WWW.WESTCOASTBULLIES.COM

TEAM AUOK 1984 SKATEBOARD CO.

[hickmangene]

Wow, thanks for all the good wishes! I do indeed have a long road in front of me and "normal" could possibly be something I never re-attain. We'll see...

Yes, by all means PLEASE install seatbelts, and if you are in restoration mode go ahead and weld in shoulder belt mounts.... Kelly's addition probably saved my life.

You guys (and gals!) are the best!

Gene

[ach60]

[richierich]

Best wishes to you Gene for a speedy and hopefully full recovery. Very frightening images post incident - hope all goes well with the insurers.

[Metalwizard]

Sorry Guys, been a busy last week or so. I went Sunday and did the pics and a couple of Small vids on my phone and tablet. Very amateur to say the least. When I arrived and saw the bus I was literally speechless. I knew the damage was bad from the pics I had seen, but it did not prepare for the up close and personal look at it. The front was just flat assed obliterated all the way to past the jack points behind the front wheels. Even the walk thru area floor and the seat bulkheads were out of place by 6 to 7 inches. 3/4 of the bus was twisted and mangled in different directions. I think my first or second sentence to Gene was the Man was riding in your lap and was your airbag. This bus took one hell of a beating to say the least, and one damn thing I'm proud of is that I try put shit back together stronger than it was from the factory. I hope I'm right in feeling my standards of workmanship contributed to Gene still be here also. Later

[capedave]

To all that looked at the pics that was some amazing work.
There is no one that would think the driver survived.
Good luck and speedy recovery to you sir.

[hickmangene]

@Kelly: There is no doubt in my mind that your work on the front of this bus in '99 was above factory standards! The welds all held in the front allowing the sheet metal to absorb energy rather than popping welds and leaving me with nothing! A good word to those replacing front floors and fascia's: Weld, weld, and weld! Don't cut any corners! Put in shoulder belt mounting points! Rethink using aftermarket "blade" front bumpers - my original front bumper WITH over riders took a lot of the impact! Keep your door locks well adjusted and LOCKED when you are going down the road! Both of my doors stayed closed providing strength to the front of the bus in the crash - those crappy original locks HELD probably because I always locked them! Don't be scared - enjoy your Bus! But do things right......

[oakman]

Good to hear you're doing ok Gene, best wishes for your full recovery.

[camit34]

WOW...!!! Good luck with recovery!
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In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD)

[brettsvw]

[Das67bus]

I have both a '67 Panel van and a Harley Wide Glide, so I hang it out pretty good because I drive/ride them alot. This just makes you think about being more careful and giving everyone else more room. There are no guarantees but you have to enjoy life.

Man, it's sad to see such a beautiful bus get crunched. And even more sad to see you get hurt Gene. Very glad you made it through it. As others have said, the Lord decided it wasn't your time.

Hang in there and I hope your recovery goes well!!! You have a huge VW family thinking of you.
_________________
SLOW RIDE........TAKE IT EASY!!!
-Foghat

COMFORTABLY NUMB!!
-Pink Floyd

[DanM]

[Old Paint]

Gene,
All the best. My heart sank when I first saw the picture. Hope you mend fully. This may be in poor taste, but might I offer you a classic phrase from The Samba that demonstrates the dedication and love of these old ACVW's. "That Shit'll Buff Out"!!!
_________________
Greg

1961 Ragtop
1961 Single Cab (Old Paint)