TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone heard of a Frank Bowman & Sons Camper

Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:56 pm

About 10 years ago I bought this 1965 VW Panel with a camper conversion that is very similar in layout to a Westfalia SO-42. The lady I bought it from said she bought it new in San Diego, CA. It has a metal tag on the right dogleg that says. "Frank Bowman & Sons, San Diego" and a serial no. also a California Motor Home Tag. Any one know of any of these or have any info?

Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:51 pm

Do you have photos you could post of this bus?
Thanks,
John

Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:58 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225099

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=200629

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133601

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=98664

Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:58 pm

Here ya go.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=98664&highlight=bowman+camper

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:30 pm

Here are some photos. The interior has been removed and is in storage.

Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:32 am

kkrol wrote: Here are some photos. The interior has been removed and is in storage.

The Vegas us is looking good. I think the members would dig the story of that bus.

Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:41 pm

The Vegas us is looking good. I think the members would dig the story of that bus.[/quote]

Short Version

The lady I bought if from was 79 years at the time and was from Ohio. In the early 60's she moved to San Diego where she bought the bus new. A few years later she moved to Las Vegas and worked there until the mid 90's. Then she returned to Ohio.

I asked her why in the world would you move back to Ohio after living in CA and NV? She replied "Well I got into a little trouble and 'THEY' were going to break my legs"

Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:22 pm

Here are some of the latest photos of the 64 Bowman & Sons camper restomod.

Since the original interior was shot and not a very good layout beside. I decided to upgrade to a 1978 Westfalia interior from a Bay bus. It required very little modification to fit. It is a much roomier interior than the old Bowman & Sons which was basically a cheap imitation of the S0-42.

Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:40 pm

Very nice. Feel free to post more pics :)

Fri Apr 07, 2017 6:13 am

AS350driver wrote: Very nice. Feel free to post more pics :)

My next job is to put some type of paneling on the inside walls, probably try to match the Westfalia cabinets.

Fri Apr 07, 2017 7:14 am

That turned out nice!

Wed Apr 12, 2017 4:59 pm

Photo of Bowman & Sons I.D. tag