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Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:05 pm

Just picked this beast up in Bigfork Montana and drove it back to Oakland, one more for the west coast shows. It has been out of circulation since Rafferty sold it in 2000. The guy that bought it from Rafferty put less than 1000 miles on it since he owned it, and he never even opened the sunroof. He did however, put a 2285 cc fuel injected motor in it, rebuilt the tranny with welded gears, rebuilt the front beam and entire front end (including the steering box) and put new disc brakes all the way around. The engine build sheet is quite impressive, and the entire rebuild is documented on videotape. He also recovered the middle seat, which was quite presentable before. That made me a little sick.
Anyway, it is fast as hell, about 160hp and it drives wonderfully. I just don't like the whole lowered thing, not my style. The rest of the bus is so stock however, that raising this one would be an easy fix for me. Rafferty really did a great job, and his attention to detail is fabulous. Even the safari glass is large sekurit. It needs a couple of parts, but the hard stuff is all there. Enjoy the pictures...

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:15 pm

Very cool! Are you bringing it out for the Vintage Treffen. Hope to see you there.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:20 pm

Goddamn, that thing needs Raders, a folding shifter, a Hurst front bumper, and a full length Westy rack. It doesn't look the same without them!

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:21 pm

Crazy....I was just in Big Fork, Mt. camping in my '55 Barndoor Aug. 30-31st.

I remember that deluxe back when it was blue/white and at Chucks, I almost bought it for the $8k before Mark bought it, but DUI charges ended that.

Here's my bus camping in Big Fork.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:21 pm

very 8)whats the info on the one in the background

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:28 pm

Greg, I dont say this to you very often when it comes to busses, but you are WRONG, It needs 16 inch wheels, 25hp motor, reduction boxes, and a stock beam....

But, it was fun cruising at 80mph on the way down here.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:46 pm

Long-roofs wrote: Crazy....I was just in Big Fork, Mt. camping in my '55 Barndoor Aug. 30-31st.

I remember that deluxe back when it was blue/white and at Chucks, I almost bought it for the $8k before Mark bought it, but DUI charges ended that.

Here's my bus camping in Big Fork.

I thought I got a bit more then $8k,can't remember though , that was a eternity ago seems like

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:48 pm

You may have got more than $8k Mark, it was Sept. '97, I was there with Bret checking it out and Chuck said $8k....I think you wanted the 8 spokes so it was cheaper...lmao

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:50 pm

campingbox wrote: Goddamn, that thing needs Raders, a folding shifter, a Hurst front bumper, and a full length Westy rack. It doesn't look the same without them! fuck yeah!

X 2 !!!!

and that funky steering wheel Raff had on it.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:51 pm

Yeah, could be $8, I didn't want the wheels though,Have never liked those.

Seems like so long ago..really so long ago.

The beauties of old age and memory loss

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:52 pm

Drew,
I'd roll that thing just as it is. Looks bad ass!!!

Hopefully I can see it in the next few days.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:54 pm

very cool will it be at the vw Treffen show in LA?

Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:10 pm

nice to see that bus come back out of the woodwork.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:40 pm

micro9301 wrote: Greg, I dont say this to you very often when it comes to busses, but you are WRONG, It needs 16 inch wheels, 25hp motor, reduction boxes, and a stock beam....

But, it was fun cruising at 80mph on the way down here.

Do it! I'd love to see that bus roll around on 16's. I've got pictures of that bus cruizing over the Tacoma Narrows bridge in 2000.

Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:50 pm

Nice score, nothing like 2 BD Deluxes in the same garage.

Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:41 am

i wanna barndoor deluxe

looks great!

Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:03 am

Weren't you the one who for years said barndoor deluxes were played out? :?

Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:37 am

That is my new favorite bus.

Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:22 am

Lind wrote: nice to see that bus come back out of the woodwork.

Lind,now you can bring out your 'clown bus' jokes again.

i agree, it just looks goofy with those wheels and raised up .
nice to see it in the daylight again.hope to see it once again in person.

Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:32 am

EverettB wrote: Nice score, nothing like 2 BD Deluxes in the same garage.

:shock: