TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:45 am

Okay guys, so help me out with something. I usually spend my days lurking in the split window bug forum, but barndoors have always interested me.

So an offer for $160,000 was turned down. Completely understandable, that bus is insanely cool, and a deep skylight 52 is just beyond words.

Now what about this heap: $94,000 US
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/vw-t1-model-a...ommend_DES

Does this 53 have a history? Is it a known fake deluxe? Is it 99.99% funky green, etc? It seems interesting to me that one vehicle would be close to double the other, when both need metal replacement to be "original" again, both missing some parts.

Will

Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:04 am

oldsplitvw wrote: Okay guys, so help me out with something. I usually spend my days lurking in the split window bug forum, but barndoors have always interested me.

So an offer for $160,000 was turned down. Completely understandable, that bus is insanely cool, and a deep skylight 52 is just beyond words.

Now what about this heap: $94,000 US
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/vw-t1-model-a...ommend_DES

Does this 53 have a history? Is it a known fake deluxe? Is it 99.99% funky green, etc? It seems interesting to me that one vehicle would be close to double the other, when both need metal replacement to be "original" again, both missing some parts.

Will

i would guess that a lot of non Europe people do not visit that site much and that would limit it's market
the bus has been completely strip and primed so some kind of metal work has been done to it and who knows how good or what was done
i don't see anything saying it has all the parts that are missing in the pics so you are looking at another $50k-$100k just to finish it

Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:08 am

oldsplitvw wrote: Okay guys, so help me out with something. I usually spend my days lurking in the split window bug forum, but barndoors have always interested me.

So an offer for $160,000 was turned down. Completely understandable, that bus is insanely cool, and a deep skylight 52 is just beyond words.

Now what about this heap: $94,000 US
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/vw-t1-model-a...ommend_DES

Does this 53 have a history? Is it a known fake deluxe? Is it 99.99% funky green, etc? It seems interesting to me that one vehicle would be close to double the other, when both need metal replacement to be "original" again, both missing some parts.

I believe you may have answered your own question. :)

Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:45 am

Will

Trying to put it simply

Bus A is a trustworthy original European early BD with prob 97% original metal - desirable to the connoisseur
Bus B is an untrustworthy rebuilt Columbian late BD with prob 3% original metal, missing most parts - undesirable to the connoisseur

^Bus B

Worlds apart in real value.
Ok?

RS

Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:55 am

Bingo, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks RS. I figured someone had "before" pics of the 53. Yes, worlds apart. Okay back to split beetles.

RockStock wrote: Will

Trying to put it simply

Bus A is a trustworthy original European early BD with prob 97% original metal - desirable to the connoisseur
Bus B is an untrustworthy rebuilt Columbian late BD with prob 3% original metal, missing most parts - undesirable to the connoisseur

^Bus B

Worlds apart in real value.
Ok?

RS

Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:59 pm

holy crap, that the same car really ???? :shock:

Sat Oct 12, 2013 2:07 pm

yeah must be it. still has the wrong psgr door handle recess and the weld under the right rear corner window is still visible.... :roll: ...oh boy. might have been built well or not but RS's description sums it up....
German discription says it only has 'seat, Speedo, tank and restorable cargo doors. other parts available at extra cost'

Sat Oct 12, 2013 5:54 pm

RockStock wrote: Will

Trying to put it simply

Bus A is a trustworthy original European early BD with prob 97% original metal - desirable to the connoisseur
Bus B is an untrustworthy rebuilt Columbian late BD with prob 3% original metal, missing most parts - undesirable to the connoisseur

Worlds apart in real value.
Ok?

RS

That's a good way of putting it old chap. REALLY! There is a big difference between a 1953 & 1952.

65-deluxe wrote: Nobody in the North of England would write the phrase above - did you mean Scottish ;-)

Trust me mate. Northern Brits do say it in this fashion. REALLY. Just ask the Robbie Williams of the VW Bus World. :wink:

Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:56 am

Barndoor Mafia wrote: REALLY! There is a big difference between a 1953 & 1952.

Beat me to it.
Massive divide :wink:

Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:26 am

There is some sort of gap between early and late BDs, but would you pay (a bit/substantially) more for a good 51/52 kombi than a good 53/54 kombi? I'd suggest that, for the average buyer of a BD, bodywork condition and originality are the main considerations - especially as so few come up for sale. Earliness is a bonus.

If you're a wealthy collector, with a couple in your stable already, I guess the rules change.

Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:31 am

It's not a good deal. If it was under priced for what it was, then it would be a good deal. It's a cool, unique, rare and desirable bus, but 'good deal' it's not. It's market (or over market) priced.

A 'good' deal was the KCW Deluxe. Or the Green Flash. Or the recent 60K one that came up. Plus all the fabled ones that 'change hands without us feebes ever knowing about.'

Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:34 am

vwdrue wrote: Barndoor Mafia wrote: REALLY! There is a big difference between a 1953 & 1952.

Beat me to it.
Massive divide :wink:

Yeah mate. Lots of changes. I feel for the most part, folks aren't in to them seem to think they are all the same. A Barndoor. There are so many different parts and what which pertain to each year. A lot of similarities but yet different. I know the older the better, but a later one in much better condition & more complete rather then an earlier one lacking the important bits, places one in the safety zone. For this reason, and this happens very often, folks don't keep them long! When they find out their taillights are gonna cost them $1,000, they have a shite in their knickers!!! REALLY! Then you have to buy $300 reflectors, $2,000 for bumpers, $1.500 for a steering wheel and so forth.

I recall about 18 years ago or so helping my buddy George Schmidt move his 52 Deluxe around within the shop and paying close attention to all the differences between the 54. LOTS!

Any hoot, and correct me if I'm wrong .......... I believe there are four 1952 Deluxes known to move on their own?? Not many, that's for sure.

Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:01 am

To some... There is no difference between a 54-55 Deluxe and 51-52... But if you are in the know... They are two different worlds! That's like comparing a 46 split to a 52... Some think a Beatle is a Beatle...

Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:13 am

bubba wrote: I agree with Johnny.. This is a Monster bus! 51-52 deluxe buses are the holy grail for a lot of peeps... Rare is an understatement... Demand is not even a question...
The ability to afford this limits the buyers... I also agree with Beany... Driving a 100 k bus is not as fun as you think it is.. Your nerves are pushed to the prink ever time you take it out because of the lack of care and accountability around you..
Do you think a 16-17 year old kid give a shit about your slow ass bus as he's riding your bumper jumping in and out of traffic texting his buddy? :?

What bumper? :wink:

Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:50 pm

bubba wrote: To some... There is no difference between a 54-55 Deluxe and 51-52... But if you are in the know... They are two different worlds! That's like comparing a 46 split to a 52... Some think a Beatle is a Beatle...

X2 8) Well said

Mon Oct 14, 2013 5:20 am

this bus is beautifull.
52 are really different. Deep skylights, rear bumper, dash board, doors ...

Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:29 am

nane_cox wrote: this bus is beautifull.
52 are really different. Deep skylights, rear bumper, dash board, doors ... :lol: :lol: :lol:
that's just a start.. semaphores, tranny plate ,crashbox , front floor knobs, vent wings, mirror arms, headlight lens, horn button, steering wheel, tire tray, tail lights, wiring harness, 25 hp motor... :shock:

Mon Oct 14, 2013 4:56 pm

the prices being thrown around for these deluxes are incredible, makes you wonder how much higher prices can go before the bottom falls out....nothing keeps going up in price forever, I remember the million dollar prices for certain muscle cars a few years ago before the bottom fell out....makes you wonder... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: I remember being called the antichrist for having the nerve to list my super early, deep skylight, running and driving 53 deluxe for 45K on this site about 6 years ago.. :? :? :? :? :?

Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:13 am

I don't think so. Yes you are right, the prices are incredibly high, nearly insane. But do you think that pre 53 body bumper Porsches or Carrera engines will ever come down in price again?
No, there are too few around.
early DLXs are the bodybumper Type 2s.

Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:30 am

djfordmanjack wrote:
early DLXs are the bodybumper Type 2s.

Yes... because they have bodybumpers! :lol: