TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1971 Deluxe Clipper

Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:21 am

I am working on cleaning up a 1971 Clipper - L that was purchased in Germany, made it to California, and sat in Fresno since 1999. It was dirty but solid. The seller got the engine running. I replaced ball joints and now I am simply blasting off some surface rust, treating it with POR-15 and repainting the bumpers and floor boards to keep this bus preserved for generations to come. Reupholstered seats next.

Pics so far..

Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:55 am

Looks like an awesome bus! Do you have plans for the interior?

Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:56 am

That's a sweet bus. Ask me how I know.

My first 1971 bus

My second 1971 bus. Yes this is a different one

My third 1971 which I have now

Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:37 pm

Hey aeromech,

I take it 1971 is your favorite year then? :)

BTW..I have new upholstery coming, new kick panels, new interior rubber. Keeping door panels since they have the unique Clipper 3 vertical chrome lines on them.

Cheers!

P

Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:44 pm

sambaphil wrote: Hey aeromech,

I take it 1971 is your favorite year then? :)

BTW..I have new upholstery coming, new kick panels, new interior rubber. Keeping door panels since they have the unique Clipper 3 vertical chrome lines on them.

Cheers!

P

You might say that. I'm sure your inside will look great

Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:03 pm

Spent the weekend polishing exterior. Thank god for pizza delivery.

Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:49 pm

looks real good

Mon Feb 20, 2017 2:17 pm

Beautiful busses. Yours too Aeromech. I never get tired of looking at them. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:47 am

Interior is going in next week. Its coming together.

Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:59 pm

Nice!

I think VW had dropped the term "Clipper" by 71 because of the Pan-Am lawsuit.

Where did you get that cool front plate?

That looks cool... I found this:

https://www.customeuropeanplates.com/

Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:11 pm

chabanais wrote: Nice!

I think VW had dropped the term "Clipper" by 71 because of the Pan-Am lawsuit.

Where did you get that cool front plate?

That looks cool... I found this:

https://www.customeuropeanplates.com/

yep, that is the site I purchased my plate from. It came in about 3 days which blew my mind. They must have made it minutes after my order and shipped it same day.

Yeah, the clipper term was dropped but this is considered a Clipper-L bus (from Germany).

Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:42 pm

That's a beautiful bus. It's looking great.

Let's see some engine photos!

Sun Mar 19, 2017 2:47 pm

wcfvw69 wrote: That's a beautiful bus. It's looking great.

Let's see some engine photos!

Dual Solex 1600 set up. Engine was rebuilt and runs great. I put in a pertronix electronic ignition. It has the 009 distributor.

Sun Mar 19, 2017 3:10 pm

Super nice bus.

Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:36 pm

What an amazingly clean unmolested bus! And a real clipper in the US! Lucky guy

Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:54 am

Trashman wrote: What an amazingly clean unmolested bus! And a real clipper in the US! Lucky guy

Hey Pinetops and Trashman,

Thanks for the compliments. I am doing the best I can to keep the original paint looking good. I have wet sanded and polished where needed (dirt stains were cooked on).

The upholstery was too far gone so its getting redone to original specs. The headliner is fried in spots below the big rear windows. I am thinking of taking it to a place to just replace sections that are ripped or just too far gone, most of the headliner is still good. I don't know how feasible that is but?

The other issue I face is replacing the window rubber which could lead to rusty surprises underneath the rubber, but I think it has to be done. The rear hatch glass is loose and leaks so that has to get replaced.

All fun and thanks for the encouragement. :)

Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:16 pm

Updated Photos. Interior seats completed, new tires, new brake booster, tune up, new window rubber, new door seals, new hatch and sliding seals. New awesome rack too! This Clipper - L is road ready!

Fri Nov 10, 2017 3:48 pm

HOLY COW!! :shock: That's a beautiful bus right there! Congrats!

Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:12 pm

wcfvw69 wrote: HOLY COW!! :shock: That's a beautiful bus right there! Congrats!

Thanks Bill!!

Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:54 am

Incredible bus. I drove a 71 for a decade. Yours is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.