TheSamba.com :: View topic - 70 Crew Cab

Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:55 pm

Fellow Samba Members –

I could really use your collective wisdom and input!

About 2 years ago I bought a 1970 double cab on the Samba. It was described as dry, with very little rust and no bondo except the rear corner. I bought it thinking that I could replace the corner, have it painted and be good to go. The only reason I felt comfortable undertaking a project this size is because my brother in law works at a trade school and I knew I could get all the labor done for free. Having seen the work they do at this school, I felt comfortable having them do that level of work.

They finally finished media blasting the body and I just got back from a trip to inspect it. I realize now that there is bondo throughout the truck and significant metal replacement would be required to get this right (see photos). I don't feel comfortable having students do metal replacement to this extent, and having it done at a professional shop wouldn't be economically feasible.

My question is this – should I try and sell this as a rolling shell, or cut it up, sell off the useable parts, and dispose of the carcass? I hate to see another bus permanently off the road, but I think in it's current state it wouldn't sell for more than $500 - $700 maybe less. However, if I sell the gates, doors, one rear corner, and other DC-specific items I can probably double or triple that. What would you do?

PS – please don't write in to tell me what an idiot I am for blindly trusting a seller – my wife has already taken care of that.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:12 pm

that's pretty solid for a michigan bus. If you plan to use it then it's a great bus to start with. If you plan of a full resto and peddling it for 15,000.00 probobly not so much. My vote is carry-on, you're halfway there.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:13 pm

the question is what kind of time and money are you willing to spend? There are enough busted buses to get parts from cheaply if you are willing to spend the time and money. On the otherhand, if you are looking to restore it to showroom quality, can you afford to invest $15,000? The more work you do yourself the less it will cost you. We are finishing up a 1977 bus that will be almost like new when we are done. It will have $25,000 in it. But if I had been willing to use more 1/2 worn out parts and take an extra year or two to restore it, that cost would have been closer to $12,000. It's all a question of time and money.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:20 pm

Keep the RAT LOOK :) Nice patina :!:

CLEARCOAT TIME!

Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:28 pm

Looks pretty tame compared to some of the stuff around here, a truck is worth the time to fix as it's far more rare than a bus.

All depends on your skill levels, you'll never get out from under it if you send it to a shop for welding, but you can self patch it and roll it and have something cool and unique. How's the lower cargo floor and frame/outriggers?

Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:08 pm

With free welding labor? Start buying panels.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:29 pm

It does need some work but it is a double cab. If you are not able to do the work on it please try to sell it to recover some of your cost instead of cutting it up. It appears to be very savable. Plus the good thing is since it is blasted now you know what needs to be done.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:31 pm

DC are quite rare, to me it seems like a great project for students at any trade school, restoring a rare T2 compared to working on an 80’s or 90’ mass production vehicle would also allow the students get some personal satisfaction in brining a rare vehicle back to life!

Most VW Trucks had hard lives and finding one in great condition is practically impossible!

My vote is brow a rechargeable saws-all and go down to your nearest junk yard and find a donor bus to get what you can for the students, the rest is available from places like Bus Depot…

Just think of how much fun you will have taking your DC to the hardware store etc. when it’s done (priceless :0)

Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:48 pm

have them fix it...if not drag in down to southern ohio and Ill buy it.

why did they leave it out to rust after they blasted it?

Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:56 pm

save or sell it whole.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:13 pm

that thing is 100 times more solid than mine. your bus makes mine look like swiss cheeze!

keep it. buy panels. there really is not that much to replace.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:33 pm

You're kidding right? Save that bitch. Its not that bad. Either that, or sell it to someone who will. Seriously. Hack that into bits and karma will stalk you and your family.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:44 pm

Kirk wrote: You're kidding right? Save that bitch. Its not that bad. Either that, or sell it to someone who will. Seriously. Hack that into bits and karma will stalk you and your family.

X2 and PLEASE sand the rust off, even if you use rattle can primer, it will at least preserve it until i can come pick it up :wink:

Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:45 pm

FIX or SELL it. Way to nice a truck to cut up.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:47 pm

Fix that sumbitch

Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:50 pm

Come on...save another Bay! :D

Good luck on whatever you do.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:05 pm

That's DC could be easily repaired. That's a halfway decent restoration project. Keep it.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:10 pm

Here's some inspiration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=335729

Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:27 pm

If you don't want a project, then sell it. It doesn't look that bad, but if you don't want/can't afford to fix it, get rid of it. It doesn't help to think about what could have been - I've bought Buses sight unseen more than a few times, and have been "burned", too.

Everything has a value. You see a truck with significant rust. Another might see a cool old work truck. Another might see a cool, lowered, rat truck.

Sand the surface rust off (what happened to the epoxy primer?), shoot the entire thing in epoxy (you can even tint it), put it back together, get it running, and sell it. A complete, moderately rusty, running, primered double cab should get $2 - $3K. Get a few grand, and you get practice putting a Bus back together - it'll come in handy when you get your next one.

The truck might be junk to you, but after cleaning, priming, and assembling, someone will see the potential, and buy it.

Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:31 pm

i don't think it is anywhere near garbage especially being a double cab!!
even if someone throws and engine in and fills it with fiberglass and paints it with rattle cans it is atleast on the rd!

SELL IT! plus you will get money back!