vws-microcars4jim |
Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:02 pm |
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I'd value your opinion of this rust-belt bus. I picked it up for a grand (circa 1993) and drove it for a few years, but eventually deemed it too dangerous to drive. Its been parked in the garage since, like so many large-scale projects you have likely seen. Well, I'm trying to get something going. I've got a birth certificate coming which hopefully clears up what this bus is or isn't. Whatever the case, my main question is how much green should I expect to sink into the funky green needed to repair this once-green bus?
P.S. For all you lind dudes out there I'm going for stock, not interested in lowering or any modifications that would cause the purist's woody to go flaccid. I will admit to driving this bus with red shag carpeting, 13" front wheels and a Kraco tape deck when I was younger (PO's mods). NOT going back to that...
My list of metal, add / correct as you see fit:
lower nose/entire nose?
inner nose/bumper support
front floor
dash (or fix what's there?)
A-pillars? (where front doors mount)
dog legs (inner/outer), left and right.
B-pillars left and right
front seat mounts?
bulkhead
cargo floor (whole or sections?)
cargo door bottoms (1 or 2)
outriggers
jack points
short side rocker panel
short side rocker panel support
long side rocker panel
long side rocker panel support
rear apron
rear corners
engine lid
pop-out window openings (2-3)
front and rear (pressed?) bumpers, rear mounts
Thanks to EB for this venue and all TS members' restoration photos (stall 20 / npbusguy / robert davis, etc.), for the inspiration to get off my ass and do something with this!
Jim |
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sventinker |
Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:18 pm |
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Whatever you spend it is worth it . Nice bus! |
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Nor_AL_67 |
Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:30 pm |
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I'd estimate at least $1500 probably more. Rather than purchasing all the Gerson parts at once, buy a corner and try fixing it, then go to another piece. It took me over a year with a similarly rusted bus; that was my strategy. |
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danxthexman |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:03 am |
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Once you get those jackpoints and outriggers off you will likely notice that you will have to replace sections of your top-hats as well. But I agree with Nor-all. I dont know you skill level, but dont overwhelm yourself :wink:
Kick-ass bus by the way! 58 PGSG just like mine. |
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williamblanda |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:20 am |
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Oh my god, easy off candidate! |
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npbusguy |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:57 am |
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It looks good from the pix but an up close personal visit would be better. I am also West of Chicago so PM me if you are interested in a visit.
Neil |
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DanM |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:20 am |
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This bus should have the '58 interior, not the so-23 kit. You even have the exhaust vent in the roof for the propane fridge (that's stock, not a hack so DON'T "FIX" IT!). I say sell the so-23 kit (it looks very nice!) to fund the body restoration, and start looking for the right camper kit once the body is solid.
Your bus should look like this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=812384 |
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Vintage Auto Werks1 |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:34 am |
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so-23 wrote: This bus should have the '58 interior, not the so-23 kit. You even have the exhaust vent in the roof for the propane fridge (that's stock, not a hack so DON'T "FIX" IT!). I say sell the so-23 kit (it looks very nice!) to fund the body restoration, and start looking for the right camper kit once the body is solid.
Your bus should look like this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=812384
I personally think it would be best to NOT sell off the interior that is in it to fund the project. With that interior he can at least enjoy the bus and if he finds a correct interior at a later date he could then make the choice. |
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Braukuche |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:35 am |
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williamblanda wrote: Oh my god, easy off candidate!
I thought that too, but that one close up shop of the B pillar what's with that really uneven paint line? |
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Clara |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:43 am |
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Vintage Auto Werks1 wrote: so-23 wrote: This bus should have the '58 interior, not the so-23 kit. You even have the exhaust vent in the roof for the propane fridge (that's stock, not a hack so DON'T "FIX" IT!). I say sell the so-23 kit (it looks very nice!) to fund the body restoration, and start looking for the right camper kit once the body is solid.
Your bus should look like this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=812384
I personally think it would be best to NOT sell off the interior that is in it to fund the project. With that interior he can at least enjoy the bus and if he finds a correct interior at a later date he could then make the choice.
x2
Actually I was wondering if it was a 58. What is the VIN? does it have an m-code plate? |
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vws-microcars4jim |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:43 am |
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^^^I think that it was hit and repaired in the RF earlier than the real hackage occured. The pass. door is dove blue on the inside, but PGSG on the outside (under the awful red). Really don't know! |
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vws-microcars4jim |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:48 am |
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Clara wrote: Vintage Auto Werks1 wrote: so-23 wrote: This bus should have the '58 interior, not the so-23 kit. You even have the exhaust vent in the roof for the propane fridge (that's stock, not a hack so DON'T "FIX" IT!). I say sell the so-23 kit (it looks very nice!) to fund the body restoration, and start looking for the right camper kit once the body is solid.
Your bus should look like this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=812384
I personally think it would be best to NOT sell off the interior that is in it to fund the project. With that interior he can at least enjoy the bus and if he finds a correct interior at a later date he could then make the choice.
x2
Actually I was wondering if it was a 58. What is the VIN? does it have an m-code plate?
Sorry, no m-code plate on the mangled bulkhead.
[/img] |
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Vintage Auto Werks1 |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:53 am |
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There would be no M-Code plate. The plate started in 59. So your not missing it no worries. |
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campingbox |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:58 am |
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That looks like a February '58 subhatch Westy.
It appears to be a Westfalia painted bus, and when new the paint color would look something like this:
The birth certificate likely won't reveal much, but will probably tell you that the bus was delivered in primer.
The interior is out of a later bus. I would suggest hanging onto it because the '58 interior is very hard to find.
That body can be saved and the correct interior can be fabricated.
Save it! |
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vws-microcars4jim |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:21 am |
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Thanks all for the input!
So the birth certificate won't reveal options such as how many popouts/colors/westfalia origin/ambulance fans? :x
I'm up for a fabricated kit when the time comes, am I correct to say the 58 kit would be a bit more squared-off than an SO-23? Not many to compare/measure. Probably should get the body together first. |
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bushaus |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:44 am |
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cool bus, props for wanting to save it and restore it, and good luck! |
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npbusguy |
Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:58 am |
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vws-microcars4jim wrote: Thanks all for the input!
So the birth certificate won't reveal options such as how many popouts/colors/westfalia origin/ambulance fans? :x
I'm up for a fabricated kit when the time comes, am I correct to say the 58 kit would be a bit more squared-off than an SO-23? Not many to compare/measure. Probably should get the body together first.
Jim,
I have pix of a 58 camper interior and will bring them on a disc for you next weekend when I roll down to check out the bus.
It looks like a January of 58 or earlier build due to the three groves on the overhead fresh air duct. I didn't look up the production date of vin number. The bulk head panel has been fixed with a later version that has the spare tire holding bracket.
Neil |
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KWZ |
Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:48 am |
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That is a super nice bus, especially for the upper midwest. Glad you're saving it. If you want the correct bulkhead section there are a couple '58s in a junkyard 50 miles outside of St. Louis. |
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npbusguy |
Sat Apr 24, 2010 4:34 pm |
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OK, so after some coaxing, Jim has made some serious headway on his February 58 sand green/palm green westy. Check out the pix of the work done today. It had a cobbled up bulkhead in it due to a crazy previous owner.....
Buzz the bus cat checking out the work we did today.....
Bulkhead temped in. Don't worry, we will eliminate the grab handle bumps and will add the original body number back to the new bulkhead
More pix tomorrow 8)
Gerson.... expect a phone call :shock: |
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Kommercial |
Sat Apr 24, 2010 4:55 pm |
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Man I love seeing bulkheads replaced, keep up the good work! |
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