TheSamba.com :: View topic - Help me identifying this 1954 Split Bus (barndoor or not...)

Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:29 pm

Hello
I am new is this forum and got this 1954 Volkswagen to restore with VIN number No. 20105037 found in Bogota, Colombia.

I need some help identifying the differences more visible because I have many doubts about the rear panel has double doors and I'm thinking that was modified. I'm no expert yet to identify all differences between 1954 and the changes made after March 1955.

The engine is not the original as some other things.

Here in Colombia many of these were used as municipal buses, ambulances and cargo cars and there were many years of being on Colombian roads.

I will post some pictures of the current state.

Thanks for helping me to identify the changes made to correct in the future restoration.

Regards

Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:11 pm

that appears to at one time been a barndoor bus but it looks like the entire back half and top of the bus was replaced with a much later split bus. Or I suppose vice versa

doesnt look much like a barndoor to me.

to correct it for a future restoration you need to cut it through the windscreen posts and at the bulkhead (behind the front seats), which will leave you with a nose and some seat pedestals, and then construct an entirely new bus from there.

Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:14 pm

20-105037 is a VIN # from November, 1954

The entire rear of that Bus looks like it is from a 1967.

The cargo doors also look updated to me.

Is there any sign of where it was grafted together?
I am wondering if only the front seat area and nose is 1954.

Can you post some photos of the right side with the cargo doors and also some photos of the front doors? I think they might be from a 1967 too.

I would also like to see a photo of this VW poster:

I think this is a Type 3 1500cc "pancake" style single carb. engine?

Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:43 pm

Heavily modified for sure. One cargo door does appear to be Barndoor as well as the seat base, dash, pod and nose.

Wed Jul 03, 2013 4:34 am

EverettB wrote: 20-105037 is a VIN # from November, 1954

The entire rear of that Bus looks like it is from a 1967.

The cargo doors also look updated to me.

Is there any sign of where it was grafted together?
I am wondering if only the front seat area and nose is 1954.

Can you post some photos of the right side with the cargo doors and also some photos of the front doors? I think they might be from a 1967 too.

I would also like to see a photo of this VW poster:

I think this is a Type 3 1500cc "pancake" style single carb. engine?

Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:58 am

sled wrote: that appears to at one time been a barndoor bus but it looks like the entire back half and top of the bus was replaced with a much later split bus. Or I suppose vice versa

doesnt look much like a barndoor to me.

to correct it for a future restoration you need to cut it through the windscreen posts and at the bulkhead (behind the front seats), which will leave you with a nose and some seat pedestals, and then construct an entirely new bus from there.

Thanks, definitely confirm my doubts because my thinking was the same and certainly was modified and welded on a more modern bodywork. I'm thinking not stay with her because it has much work to do and money to invest .. What would be the approximate cost of a vehicle with these conditions?.

Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:58 am

Looks to be aq heavily modified barndoor. I guess due to accident damage?

Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:27 am

do you have pics of the front beam or anny other under shots?

looks like a new style beam also and idk why someone would do all that work with that many wrong parts
to me it looks like someone took a '64-'67 bus and put a bd dash and front wheel wells/seat bottom to it

look on the shelf on the right side of the engine compartment and see if there is a number stamped into it
it will be close to where the apron meets the shelf if it is a newer bus that is the vin#

Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:06 am

I'd say its more like a '67 that's had a barndoor seat base and clip welded in to repair major accident damage in the past.

Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:39 am

i say, sell the dashpod and the BD parts, vin tag, install regular split parts, move on, start looking for a BD

Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:44 am

Scotty wrote: Looks to be aq heavily modified barndoor. I guess due to accident damage?

x2

Wed Jul 03, 2013 8:54 am

mandraks wrote: i say, sell the dashpod and the BD parts, vin tag, install regular split parts, move on, start looking for a BD

What do you think if I modify the front of the roof and the entire rear panel taking out the 2 doors and fitting the Bandoor because de title of the car is model 1954 microbus 10 pasangers and the vin number is 20 105057 correct with de BD specifications

Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:04 am

joe56vw wrote: do you have pics of the front beam or anny other under shots?

looks like a new style beam also and idk why someone would do all that work with that many wrong parts
to me it looks like someone took a '64-'67 bus and put a bd dash and front wheel wells/seat bottom to it

look on the shelf on the right side of the engine compartment and see if there is a number stamped into it
it will be close to where the apron meets the shelf if it is a newer bus that is the vin#

More Horrible shots... :( on this sacrificed BD..

Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:22 am

its a typical Colombian BD hack job that will need a ton of metal to be returned to it's former 54 self....it's one of those projects that needs a total rebuild to be correct again....its a 54 Kombi that was "updated" to a 67......no beating around the bush here...TOTAL rebuild....or rip out what little BD parts remain, sell them off, and throw the rest in the trash!!!!....harsh but true...... :( :( :( :(

Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:19 am

Gerson,

sounds like an opportunity for a scratchbuilt Barndoor? Georgia lottery is up to 60 million, if i win we need to talk :)

Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:24 am

idk the more pics of this I see the more I doubt it was ever a '54 bd
nothing on this bus excpt of the cab area says bd at all
I would believe someone changed the nose and cab area to repair damage
then believe someone changed the whole roof and rear cargo area
even the front floor like it was modified to fit on a later nose

Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:34 am

Gerson wrote: its a typical Colombian BD hack job that will need a ton of metal to be returned to it's former 54 self....it's one of those projects that needs a total rebuild to be correct again....its a 54 Kombi that was "updated" to a 67......no beating around the bush here...TOTAL rebuild....or rip out what little BD parts remain, sell them off, and throw the rest in the trash!!!!....harsh but true...... :( :( :( :(

Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 am

whatever happened to this poor soul, I think there is more BD in it than others might believe. every 67 panel has been hand welded in ( look at headliner bows, vent duct aso. and yes the front cargo door is BD too.front panel is BD too ( small wiper indents), all the front floor, remaining bulkhead, pedals are all BD, why would somebody weld that into a 67, as it probably won't even fit in frame width aso. of course Columbian busses are rumored to be the worst hacked of them all,obviously, as they wanted to keep it on the road.
You can save a good lot of metal from this bus to repair other BDs, but since there are not many around, why not simply peak the roof, ad a big lid, weld up some metal and change the rear air vents and you have something half BD but at least BD looking to roll around.
If you have a pic of the rear frame/ engine cradle we can verify if the rear frame has been changed along with the upper 67ish body panels

Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:09 am

God no! What are you thinking man?
There's enough sheds around already

Imagine running around in what you have proposed
'Hello! Look at me & my POS!'

streetwagens wrote: I'd say its more like a '67 that's had a barndoor seat base and clip welded in to repair major accident damage in the past.

Dai's spot on
Cut out the BD stuff, which seems to be mainly the nose, pod, pedals, & cargo door - sell this - maybe also sell the window cuts - then JUNK the rest

Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:22 am

djfordmanjack wrote
Quote: but since there are not many around, why not simply peak the roof, ad a big lid, weld up some metal and change the rear air vents and you have something half BD but at least BD looking to roll around.

Now that's a foolish idea [-X why on earth would you continue to further hack a hack.....I agree with Gerson on this one, remove the Barndoor parts and toss the rest in the scrap metal pile.