Coach Builds

SHARK · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:02 am Post subject: Coach Builds

I tried this in the "Other VWs" section, but I think this question might find more answers here... I'm looking for pics and info of roll top coach builds... Most of all I need close-up shots of the roof details. Anybody own one? Thanks

Skim · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:48 am Post subject:

I tried looking up some photos but there were no close ups of the roll back mechanism. I believe this belongs to Ed Economy.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

suposedly one of 5 left.
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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

53 0val · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:02 pm Post subject:

Skim · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

Wasnt Ed Economy the one that restored it originally? Or I guess he sold it. BTW, anybody remember when Ed rolled up (No Pun Intended) to the vintage meet at El Dorado Park with that giant sardine can key in the rolled up rag like a can of sardines?
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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

53 0val · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:16 pm Post subject:

Your pictures were from the Solvang meet and the car was at Kelly Park this year. At those times ---Ray owned it. Ed used to have his hand in every Split that came into this country---so you may be right, but that probably was 10 years ago.
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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

Skim · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:22 pm Post subject:

Youre right. Actually about 1992. I was trying to sell him some split hood hinges for it while he was still working on it. Then I saw it completed in 1993 or 1994? at El Dorado vintage meet in Long Beach.
_________________
GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

53 0val · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:28 pm Post subject:

I see Ed every year at the Classic and it's toy and lit show, but I have not seen him show a car in at least eight years. I don't even know if he still has a VW. Confused

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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

SHARK · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks, those are the best pics yet, anyone know who or where these cars were built? How about a number for the one time or possible owner of the one pictured ? I've got conflicting responses but the basic thing I've gathered is that regardless of production, the varying number of those left is always less than a total of ten. Sounds like a needle in a haystack sort of thing..... I've got three all original hebmullers I'll trade for one straight up.....(Ha! Ha!)

horatiocaine · Samba Member Joined: April 13, 2004 Posts: 207

I recall the story being an after market sort of thing where a company installed the sunroof, like karmann or hebmuller did. the sunroof has wood to strengthen the roof where it was cut open, it is nailed in and the roll back assy connected to it and some very basic latches in the front to latch it. "Tushner" or something like that was the company. one was for sale a while back on strictly vintage a 47 or 48 it finally sold after quite some time.

Skim · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:00 pm Post subject:

From what I recall a company called Tuscher(sp)? was contracted to build these for the Swiss military.
_________________
GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

Dave · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:12 am Post subject:

Skim, your recollection is correct, that is a Tuscher roll-back. It is indeed now owned by Ray Schubert of Volksauthority in San Jose, I don't know his number or e-mail off hand, but he is on Stockton St. in San Jose. I spent a bunch of hours leaning out the back of that Split (without the window, is it still a Split?) photographing cars for my "Splitting to Solvang" articles that appeared in VW Trends. It was perfect for photography- Your knees are on the rear seat cushion, so they aren't getting hammered by every bump and rock in the road, and the fabric, when rolled back, makes a perfect perch for the camera lens to rest on. The one thing I DO remember is that the car has an 8 gallon fuel tank- I remember this because on the way back from Solvang, everybody in the "Splitting to Solvang" caravan made it back on one tank of gas, except for the roll-back- because of it's 8 gallon tank, it ran out of fuel, less than 10 miles from Volksauthority...
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mr. warehouse · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:17 am Post subject:

As it been stated, Ed bult that car and Ray later bought it from him.

Ray can be reached at Volks Authority in San Jose. http://volksauthority.com/ 408.286.7306

SHARK · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks again, I've been looking for solid information on these for awhile.....

erioco · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:32 am Post subject: Tuscher type rollback

Bruce Braun had an early one, 46 I think and had a large number of pix on it while he was selling it , 4 -5 years ago?? They were on Samba. This may not be the Tuscher version.

I had contacts with him, knowledgeable, but very busy. Key is keep it short and focussed.

I have a problem with my back-up files, but when I get it sorted out I have his pix somewhere and will post them to you.

Eric
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Radclyffe Roadster Replica proj based on an April 47 chassis

Rich's 50 · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:08 am Post subject: Re: Tuscher type rollback

ScrapJunkie · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:39 am Post subject:

Are there any detail pictures out there? I'd be interested in seeing the bracing needed when you put that large of a hole in the roof.
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johnshenry · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:53 am Post subject:

qwerty · Samba Member Joined: March 18, 2004 Posts: 338

I took some pictures of Ray's car - There are metal pieces that are inserted crosswise by hand into some grooves in the sunroof opening trim before putting the roof on. Then the roof is stretched over them, hooked on a bolt and then pivoted forward and latched above the front windshield. Not sure if there is additional body supports anywhere, just some framing elements around the opening, and some canvas on the inside which stretches from the cut opening to above the doors and rear windows. Not sure if there is anything behind the canvas to stiffen the sheet metal. I'll try to put the pictures in the archive area.
Mark

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vwclap · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry for putting my pics on 2 treads but..
This rollback pics from the Grundman collection. From our HO trip last June.

Claude
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Claude

cox 1956, 1962 et 1975
Split panel 1963
Samba 21 fenetres 1966
Ghia 1968
Sport Ghia 73
West 1970
Jetta 1992
Jetta TDI 2015
West Multivan 2002

erioco · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: Rollback

Going from memory of Bruce Braun's pix,
the sides of the roof opening were "L" shaped in section, with the foot of the L pointing toward the inside of the opening. There were a set of cross bows that were put into place and I think had pins that held the bows at each side at specific points from front to back, then the canvas was unrolled over these bows and held taut in some manner that I don't remember. My memory left me with the impression that it was a simple and effective set up.

Eric
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Radclyffe Roadster Replica proj based on an April 47 chassis


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