TheSamba.com :: View topic - Port of Everett

Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:19 pm

I´m still wondering ´bout this pic:

http://www.portofeverett.com/docs/longshoremen_uploading_vw_s_from_1963.jpg

Why in a Pacific Port -Port of Everett (WA)- arrived cars from Europe??? Is´nt supposed to use Altantic ports???

Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:17 pm

My guess is that it is cheaper to ship cars by boat thru the Panama Cannel than by train across the US.
Both of my buses came in at the port of San Francisco. Export Code UF

Bus/ Type 2 Export codes:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/exportcodes.php

Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:32 pm

Or through the Suez Canal in 1966.

Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:12 pm

Could it be those cars are arriving to Everett from any port of the eastern coast after took the railway, and then be shipped from there to other place, for instance?
By the way... I didn´t know the cars were imported without hubcups.

Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:32 pm

I believe they came by ship into Portland and were brought up by train, I also think cost was involved in this decision.

Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:16 pm

calebmelvin wrote: I also think cost was involved in this decision.
X2. As fa I know, Emden were choose to replace Wolfsburg because of it´s port were the German´s nearest to America.
But back to the States, how Euro cars used to arrive to San Francisco or L.A., for instance? I bet they came fron N.Y or Baltimore and then, by train.

Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:40 pm

I think that's my parts car, 3rd from the front on top :lol:

Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:59 pm

JorgeDavidson wrote: Could it be those cars are arriving to Everett from any port of the eastern coast after took the railway, and then be shipped from there to other place, for instance?
By the way... I didn´t know the cars were imported without hubcups.
The hubcaps and some other parts that might fall off were stored inside the trunk.

Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:32 am

Umpteen thousands of them came into Long Beach by ship. Where they offloaded on Terminal Island was a lot, probably 1/2 mile square, jambed packed with them. I'd drive past that area in my Vet with quads and slicks and think the country was going down the tubes in a handcart. Damn pissy sounding VW's.
That was then.

Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:20 am

Fish wrote: Both of my buses came in at the port of San Francisco.

Desertbusman wrote: Umpteen thousands of them came into Long Beach by ship.

Wow! what a trip! As says Fish, Panama Cannel should be the "bridge" to cross America. It would be interesting to know how cars/buses arrived to Canadian´s western coasts in the mid `50.

EverettB wrote: JorgeDavidson wrote: Could it be those cars are arriving to Everett from any port of the eastern coast after took the railway, and then be shipped from there to other place, for instance?
By the way... I didn´t know the cars were imported without hubcups.
The hubcaps and some other parts that might fall off were stored inside the trunk.

I had not thought about it; logically the hubcaps (more than fall off) were the most exposed parts to be dented. Exterior mirrors would have had the same fate, or worst. What other stock parts were stored inside the trunk? In my experience, bullets turn signals should be treated with care too... :lol:

Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:59 pm

EverettB wrote: JorgeDavidson wrote: Could it be those cars are arriving to Everett from any port of the eastern coast after took the railway, and then be shipped from there to other place, for instance?
By the way... I didn´t know the cars were imported without hubcups.
The hubcaps and some other parts that might fall off were stored inside the trunk.

That's still the norm today. Anything that could fall off or be stolen along the shipping route will come in a box inside the locked car. Pre Delivery Inspection installs these items, Hub Caps, hood emblems (mercedes star) antenna masts, etc.

Dave

Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:09 pm

EverettB wrote: JorgeDavidson wrote: Could it be those cars are arriving to Everett from any port of the eastern coast after took the railway, and then be shipped from there to other place, for instance?
By the way... I didn´t know the cars were imported without hubcups.
The hubcaps and some other parts that might fall off were stored inside the trunk.

When I started in 1964, all the extras came in a box in the trunk. Hub caps, wiper arms and blades, mirrors, trim rings if applicable.