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Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:07 am

I bought a '59 Deluxe and the rear apron has been modified to fit the "pea-shooter" exhaust. It also has a hole for the crank handle.
I have looked for months and even inquired about the length of a pressed bumper crank handle. All I have seen are pre-'58 crank handles. So am I looking for a crank handle that doesn't exist?
I am painting the bus soon and would like to make sure the apron is correct. Thanks!

Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:50 pm

The crank handle was discontinued at the same time as the 36hp engine. May of 58 I believe. Therefore, all crank handles will be pressed bumper length.
If your bus is a 59, it will have over rider bumpers* (see caveat below) and there was never a crank start handle made for over rider bumpers.
It sounds like you have an earlier apron on your bus (or your bus is actually a 58 )

* Unless it is an August 58 bus and then it will have pressed bumpers but year is in limbo -or it is a Euro and has the new style bumpers, but sans over riders. In either case, it would not have come with a crank start apron.

Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:03 pm

Thanks! I was getting disapointed with finding the crank handle :?

I'm pretty sure it's a'59. The bumpers do have over riders. I'll verify the year via VIN/Vintage bus.com tonight.

Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:14 pm

I've had '59 busses with Crank handles before. They had a special longer version of the handle to clear the overriders.

Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:17 pm

My February 1959 ambulance has crank start.

Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:21 pm

'59 was the last year for that option

Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:34 pm

Damn, I guess I need to keep looking after all? :cry:

Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:52 pm

campingbox wrote: I've had '59 busses with Crank handles before. They had a special longer version of the handle to clear the overriders.

"clear the overriders" , damn does it take a couple guys to turn that beast? LOL

Tue Aug 14, 2007 2:00 pm

crankstart til may of '59, right?

Tue Aug 14, 2007 2:01 pm

crofty wrote: '59 was the last year for that option
Shucks, did I screw up the year again?
Was it May 59 that was the end of the 36 horse and crankstart?

Tue Aug 14, 2007 2:40 pm

My 59 panel. I don`t have the crank but I think I`m just going to make one. After I start working on it someday. 8)

Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:09 pm

Well, I think I'll pick up one of those pulley nuts with the hole for the crank, I saw one last week on the Samba. The handle shouldn't be too hard to make right? If I get a pre '58 as a go-by I can just have one made a bit longer I guess :idea:
I don't know but I like the looks of the over riders - they are very VW - I have only owned bay windows before so they are "new" to me.

Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:14 pm

i think someone posted the lenghth of the 59 handle before, try searching as i don't remember what thread it was in.

Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:20 pm

More information:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=223780

I added this thread and that thread to the FAQ.

Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:42 am

Thanks Everett!

Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:51 am

This shows the difference between the two handles.

Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:02 pm

My May 59 Single cab has the orig. 36 and no crank nut or crank apron.

Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:08 am

I know the thread is old, but I have an Aug 59 deluxe that I purchased. It was disassembled when purchased and it has a crank start rear apron (not on vehicle). Was this option available in August?

Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:18 pm

starting the restoration of my jan 15, 59 23 window. Which apron should I use ? Thanks Darwin

Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:15 pm

My December '59 has a crank apron.