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Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:04 am

We'll go with Prototype G with this one for now
(Could be one of the other panels, updated with the signwriting?)
Drip rail to end of cargo doors/above the S on the longside
Light colour
Two-tone rims

xavi_242 wrote:
[^Building behind is the Wolfsburg factory's central kitchen, apparently. RS]

Has chrome hubcaps in the last picture.

Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:07 am

And we'll go with Prototype H with this one for now
Shorter drip rail, to above the L on the longside
Dark colour
Chrome trim

xavi_242 wrote:

Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:17 am

Capriacci wrote: Same licence plate = Same Prototype?

B1 and this one appear in the same brochure, don't they
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/literature50busbooklet.php
Not proof exactly, but I'll got with it being a different bus for now.
So Prototype I (Panel - light colour - painted trim- weird beltline trim/treatment)

Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:32 am

Capriacci wrote:

Going with Prototype D.
Check that roof-line*. Early Colombian.

*Welded using 4 pieces? Roof is more bulbous front and back than production.

Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:38 am

I'll go with Prototype F1 with this one
Very similar to F, but has the beltline pinstriping
Chrome mirror too?
Could be the same bus

Capriacci wrote:

Prototype F (Standard - two tone paint - dark colour on top - chrome trim?

Here is Prototype F again, for comparison

Driprail on the windowed Prototypes extends to just beyond the last side-window

Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:59 pm

I bet the prototypes had Split beetle taillight lenses with custom made bezels. Look at the snowflake reflecting effects in the story pics above

Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:10 pm

from: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60

Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:11 pm

djfordmanjack wrote: I bet the prototypes had Split beetle taillight lenses with custom made bezels. Look at the snowflake reflecting effects in the story pics above

they had, and all of them didn´t had a vw sign at the back, very interesting.

also intersting is, that the sliding window on the prototypes was the back window. it has a small gap in it.. like seeing in this picture:

and there is NO heaterchanel! and they all had these left, right semaphores.

Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:13 pm

RockStock wrote: Prominent Prototype Features

Split-beetle style decklid handle

only the first panel had, all others had the later ones.

Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:14 pm

also, differend speedo and steeringwheel with bigger hornbutton.

you can see here, if you take a clooser look!

Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:23 pm

RockStock wrote:

until today, i couldn´t figure out, what door handle this one had. all others had the normal "later" ones. but this one is speacial. :evil:

Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:25 pm

RockStock wrote: Capriacci wrote:

Going with Prototype D.
Check that roof-line*. Early Colombian.

*Welded using 3 pieces? More bulbous front and back than production.

on this one, the front emblem was screwed from outside, very funny!

Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:07 pm

I have absolutely nothing to bring to the discussion, but, for the record this thread is AWESOME!

Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:19 pm

Thanks TNT.
Johnny, ace info. Loving the finger pull on the sliding glass. Bionic spot.

Prototype D, cab door handles are odd?
I don't think there is a handle recess either?
Early.

^Cuts across the door gap

^Looks similar to its split-beetle decklid handle?

Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:37 pm

Prototype J
Odd additional high vents

I'm wondering if this is the one that started it all?
The one built on a Beetle chassis?
And when this chassis was proven too weak, VW rebuilt it onto a new bespoke (familiar to us) 'ladder' chassis?

Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:55 pm

Yes, worth putting a link to Johnny's 'Prototype Tribute' thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=447349

Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:59 pm

More from Prototype D

Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:29 pm

RockStock wrote: mandraks wrote:

I'll call this one Prototype D (Panel - single dark colour)
I think it's an early one. Features a lot on the road outside the Wolfsburg factory

Interesting thread rockstock!

You can clearly see the seams in the roof on this one "prototype D" Im guessing that would make it one of the oldest with the exception of the one on the trailer?
Also; it looks like "D" (above) has only one rear jack point? visible in some of the other photos, all the rest have two incl the one on the trailer with the round jack points.

Another thing that seems odd, if you look at the photos below, do the prototypes have a two piece door frame?

Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:54 pm

- this one with "T" air filter

- all Prototypes had the "deck lid prop" on the left, and very similar to the early Beetle Split Window-style "hood prop"?

Thu Oct 23, 2014 12:32 am

Leading cargo door not fully open also suggests clunky door handles.