TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:49 am

I just bough a 67 Westy Pop-top Camper with clean title after struggling with my decision to keep my 66 Microbus which as some of you may recall was a poor choice for a first Splitty because of extensive chassis & body rust. This 67 is a true Westy with poptop, working Sapphire radio, factory roof rack in need of new wooden slats, and is a walk-through. The roof rack is listed in the m-code although I don’t see the radio in the m-code. It has a strong running 1600 duel port motor and outstanding interior. The interior is boxed labeled and being packed up as we speak and will be picked up tomorrow morning from The Richmond Virginia area, and delivered to my friends shop on the New Jersey Shore for body work, paint and parts installation. My goal is to be camping this fall or sooner.

I will be using the 66 to help me assemble this 67 so I know how to put it together.

I wanted the 67 pop-top ever since I was a teen and more so when I bought my first Split window book and studied the Split Window models. I now have a library of over 15 books including the Bentley manual so I think I will do a good job with this very solid bus. It has all the wood interior panels although in poor condition I hope to be able to use them as a template to make new panels. I will have to check my notes from my samba friend’s earlier posts but I think the Westy panel wood is birch but was that an ash birch or just birch? The most important reason for buying this bus was that it has a very nice chassis which needs no repairs although as you see it does have undercoating. I am pretty sure I’ll leave the undercoating on it because I live on the New Jersey Shore. My goal is to get her ready to drive cross country to California (I’m a native Californian) to visit friends and family possibly next spring or 2010 although I may want a factory new motor for that trip.

I hope placing this new post is OK with the community and leaving it here to continue updates is acceptable.
Linda

Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:29 am

By the time you've purchased your fourth or fifth crusty rusty bus, you may come to realize it would be cheaper to get a solid bus up front in the long run. That red, crumbly East Coast rust is evil. You will have to do major surgery to fix that stuff up.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:21 am

j.pickens wrote: By the time you've purchased your fourth or fifth crusty rusty bus, you may come to realize it would be cheaper to get a solid bus up front in the long run. That red, crumbly East Coast rust is evil. You will have to do major surgery to fix that stuff up.

So you're saying this is not a good bus for me? UGH....should I fold on this deal I had some friends check it out and they had other opinions.
Linda

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:01 am

This picture says alot.
The crusty stuff can't be welded to, and needs to be cut out.
Complete rocker, base of B and C pillars, good chunck of the cargo floor.
This is a MUCH better bus than the other one, but I would consider the costs vs. getting a more solid bus.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:19 am

might do good to keep looking not sure where your budget is but alot of welding on the plate for this one

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:20 am

j.pickens wrote: This picture says alot.
The crusty stuff can't be welded to, and needs to be cut out.
Complete rocker, base of B and C pillars, good chunck of the cargo floor.
This is a MUCH better bus than the other one, but I would consider the costs vs. getting a more solid bus.

Good point I was concerned about that spot too. My friend (and mechanic) is going to investigate prior to handing over the cash if he thinks he can replace the parts quickly and there are no secrets he will advise with a phone call prior to handing over the cash. He has a junkyard and has built & restored some nice cars in the past so I value his opinion. He was also my former student and family friend so I won't get screwed over in any way. I originally wanted a CA bus but gas so high now near 2K just for the transport and that's about what this bus costs I went with this bus.
I value your opinion thanks :lol:
Are you in the Pine Barrens?
Linda

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:26 am

slow36hp wrote: might do good to keep looking not sure where your budget is but alot of welding on the plate for this one

Thanks, I'm having my friend who is picking it up check to see if he can weld it up faster than me. He will call before he hands over the cash to be sure.

Is this the only spot you have doubts about also? If there are other concerns let me know, I haven't handed him cash yet. As for a budget this bus is $2600. should I wait for next years budget?

Linda

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:33 am

I like both of your buses, if it's any consolation 8)

Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:33 am

Linda, Step away from the crust.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:00 am

This might be more of a time vs money issue. If you have the time and money to invest, this westy is worth it to the right buyer. If you wait and have 5 or 6 grand to spend, you may find alot better candidate, but you'll have to be ready to pounce!! A westy thats decent and under 6 grand usually sells fast.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:00 am

Linda Grunthaner wrote: slow36hp wrote: might do good to keep looking not sure where your budget is but alot of welding on the plate for this one

Thanks, I'm having my friend who is picking it up check to see if he can weld it up faster than me. He will call before he hands over the cash to be sure.

Is this the only spot you have doubts about also? If there are other concerns let me know, I haven't handed him cash yet. As for a budget this bus is $2600. should I wait for next years budget?

Linda honestly i would just keep looking. that entire lower nose i bet is trashed as well as all pillars and outriggers. weld on the bus you got while you are looking.it will give you practice and increase the value of that one which could be sold to supplement whatever you end up with. rust repair and reassembly could easily add 2-4k to the bus you are looking at that isn't even addressing if you want to paint it.i have seen several nice kombis under 4k that if someone had a camper kit would make nice rides.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:33 am

The underside looks dry. The cargo compartment has rust mainly along the side. Cut it out and replace. Grind all the rust down, treat and POR15. Hell, a plywood subfloor goes over it alll anyways.

Yeah, it might be better to find a nice dry bus out of southern California and have it shipped. But, not all of us are trust fund babes. . . some of us actually work for a living.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:45 am

Linda,

This bus is much better than the last one. I am looking forward to your next find which, judging by your progress, will be a much better project. I would hold out for one that runs and drives. I think you will be much happier with a project you can drive on occasion now and work on as needed.

Arthur

Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:56 am

i vote for buying a less rustier bus. I waited and saved up enough duckets to buy one that was mostly solid. I had to sell a rusty beat up 21 window and had to "settle" for a Standard but i am happy.The running and driving thing to me is less important than finding one that has less rust. You can always find mechanicals later but it is much more difficult to find a rust free bus!!! I bet you would spend probably 2k in metal and body work neccessities anyway so why not find a good one to begin with as J.Pickens said.

Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:06 pm

Linda, I would tackle it. I am a welder and have all the equipment at home. If you want to learn to weld and other talents then go for it. The under side looks good and its just a little rust repair. If you are not to piticular all of the floor will be covered by plywood so learn to weld the floor in first then go for the body work. I agree with others it is alot of work and you should work on the mechanicals first. Make it pretty second. If yo take your time and go slow you can become a first rate welder, I am self taught and I can do a fair job. If you start with a crusty bus and it doesn't work out you still have alot of parts to sell and then look for that ultimate bus. Good Luck Mufasa

Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:45 pm

that defienetly looks better than your other bus, much better. hell, that looks better than the first rusty bus i learned to weld on.
if you have not seen the bus in person, i would do that first, and take somone with you who has done some welding on a bus before.

if you decide to buy that bus, i would get it running and driving first. you can have some fun enjoying and driving your bus and do some of the welding it needs at the same time. that bus looks solid enough to be able to do that with.

Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:49 am

I bet you could do it, Linda. Scavenge your other bus for pieces and parts. Go get it, girl!

Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:01 am

the real question isn't could because it could be done no question, is it what you want to do? are you looking for something to gain satisfaction from working on or enjoyment from driving. if it is cost based save your money and spend a few months/years finding what you want. you will likely be on the road just as fast as buying a project right now. good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted

Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:17 am

I have 67 also that looked very similar to yours when I started to restore it. I am doing all the work myself. I figure I have spent in excess of $12k and 2 years already. If you have the cash, buy one all fixed, If you have time and money to pour into it, but it. The fun is in the fixin' if that is what you like to do. My $.02[/img]

Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:50 am

skramyrral wrote: I have 67 also that looked very similar to yours when I started to restore it. I am doing all the work myself. I figure I have spent in excess of $12k and 2 years already. If you have the cash, buy one all fixed, If you have time and money to pour into it, but it. The fun is in the fixin' if that is what you like to do. My $.02[/img]

This is my point, in a nutshell.