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Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:24 pm

velvetgreen wrote: Total geek out time, but it appears that by kit #405 the striker plate appeared on the rear molding to accept the latch from the rear hatch.

Johnny and I were doing the same thing. :D

This kit still appears to have metal buttons but no slanted jump seat.

Thu Mar 30, 2023 10:50 am

On the first page I had mentioned that fabrik numbers were sequential starting at "1" in 1965 and going until the end of split bus production in 1967.

However, there is an outlier when it comes to SO42s built for the New Zealand market.

This SO42 was built on 6.1.66 and has fabrik number "01". It is a tourist delivered bus with the home destination of New Zealand.

There is another New Zealand SO42 with fabrik number 3 that was built on 6.3.66

We know this is not specific to RHD kit as the below Australian SO42 has fabrik 4677

srfndoc aka Todd believes this might be due to CKD requirements in NZ.

Anyone else have a RHD SO42 from South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia that they wouldn't mind sharing their fabrik number and build date?

Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:49 am

^^^ Interesting CKD theory on SO42's built in early 66' starting their own Fabrik Number's again at 001.

Another explanation might also be because SO42 kits for LHD and RHD are not swappable perhaps they restarted the numbering system?? Are there any known 65' RHD SO42's for comparison purposes?

Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:47 pm

Bakelite and Plastic handles. Using the NEATO data collected last century, the estimated date for this changeover was late March 1967.

Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:55 pm

One more question.

My Werke # 11101 had the poptop, roof rack, and tent. Could see the indents in the roof from the rack, no sign of a u-channel for the tent.

Was an early "bay" tent actually (much like the plastic handles) offered for the late splits? I had one that fit perfectly.

Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:33 pm

kintail wrote: Bakelite and Plastic handles. Using the NEATO data collected last century, the estimated date for this changeover was late March 1967.

That's great info Scott. The earliest one I have found is Linda's which is April 1967.

Does anyone have a 3.67 SO42 with the later bay style handles?

Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:42 pm

BarryL wrote: The tent rail changed from riveted to removable at some point.

The 1967 VW Campmobile Parts List has an image of the tent rail and states "roof bracket" up to fabrik 2561 on the last page.

I wonder if this is when it changed from riveted to removable?

Fabrik 2561 would be roughly last week of October or the first day of November of 1965.

Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:07 pm

SO42 Westfalias were a rarity in Canada due to the high demand in the US. Most in Canada were ordered via the tourist delivery program, with more than a few brought back by armed forces personnel serving in West Germany. This was told to me by a long time VW Canada mechanic.

My '67 Westy was originally shipped to the US.

Fri Mar 31, 2023 5:11 am

von_hansel wrote: kintail wrote: Bakelite and Plastic handles. Using the NEATO data collected last century, the estimated date for this changeover was late March 1967.

That's great info Scott. The earliest one I have found is Linda's which is April 1967.

Does anyone have a 3.67 SO42 with the later bay style handles?

This bums me out! My westy came with little to no interior. I have collected and pieced it all together over the years. I have always been fond of the early handles. Being a June of 67 bus I have embraced all the late bus stuff and late westy stuff but bay handles on the furniture stings a bit lol

Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:47 am

velvetgreen wrote: ^^^ Interesting CKD theory on SO42's built in early 66' starting their own Fabrik Number's again at 001.

Another explanation might also be because SO42 kits for LHD and RHD are not swappable perhaps they restarted the numbering system?? Are there any known 65' RHD SO42's for comparison purposes?
I agree that the RHD might be the reason for started from naught.. it is a differnt kit. So, is June 66 the earliest RHD SO42?

There was a a nice registry of SO42s that Xavi was putting together
Thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249667

Fabrik nr thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=223104&highlight=fabrik

I was looking at the ad for #405 kit as well. :wink:

Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:18 am

von_hansel wrote: BarryL wrote: The tent rail changed from riveted to removable at some point.

The 1967 VW Campmobile Parts List has an image of the tent rail and states "roof bracket" up to fabrik 2561 on the last page.

I wonder if this is when it changed from riveted to removable?

Fabrik 2561 would be roughly last week of October or the first day of November of 1965.

So that would be basically starting in 1966. That jives with what I have seen when I ask the owners what they have.

Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:53 pm

I wonder what the fabrik number is on this RHD SO42 that is currently listed FS?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2610239

Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:04 am

Clara wrote: Basically, SO42s were available in the colours available that year.

I'm still waiting to see an OG paint Light Grey SO42. I am sure that one exists/ existed, but I have yet to see one in the flesh or in pictures.

Wed Apr 05, 2023 12:21 pm

srfndoc wrote: velvetgreen wrote: Total geek out time, but it appears that by kit #405 the striker plate appeared on the rear molding to accept the latch from the rear hatch.

Johnny and I were doing the same thing. :D

This kit still appears to have metal buttons but no slanted jump seat.

Maybe it’s in another pic, but shouldn’t it have the little rear cabinet that goes in the rear drivers side?

Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:52 pm

AS350driver wrote:

Maybe it’s in another pic, but shouldn’t it have the little rear cabinet that goes in the rear drivers side?

Upper right corner, the door is detatched.

Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:15 am

Adding this here as someone asked me about this several months back.

The screws that hold in the grey seal that goes around the inside of the pop top opening are 25mm long.
They are slotted with a dome head.
There are a total of 21 screws

Sat Apr 08, 2023 10:04 am

Is there any source for the mustard colored vinyl seat covering?

Sat Apr 08, 2023 11:25 am

AS350driver wrote: Is there any source for the mustard colored vinyl seat covering?

NLAVW sells the mustard vinyl by the meter.

However, I can't vouch for the quality.

Sat Apr 08, 2023 11:27 am

Hi

Have just purchased a 1965 SO42.I noticed that the Westy plate was on the Wardrobe,just thought it was in the wrong place.Checked and the Fabrik No was quite early.Also on the M Code it is dated in the Top left hand Corner 20th Jan 65.Have a couple of questions.Were all the Seat Materials Mustard,as these are Maroon and look to be original,are these correct?.Also would the interior lights be Clamshell style.Have attached a few pics.Btw why would you cut a hole in a unit to add speakers.(we all love music but why do that?).

Thanks.

Sat Apr 08, 2023 11:33 am

EastWesty wrote: Hi

Have just purchased a 1965 SO42.

Congrats on the purchase!

EastWesty wrote: I noticed that the Westy plate was on the Wardrobe,just thought it was in the wrong place.

Yes that is the correct place. It is a super early SO42 feature that moved to the bed at fabrik 22.

EastWesty wrote: Were all the Seat Materials Mustard,as these are Maroon and look to be original,are these correct?.

We have only seen them in mustard and plaid. Maroon would not be original.

EastWesty wrote: Also would the interior lights be Clamshell style.

Yes that is correct. There are two style of clamshells. Yours would be the early style where you access the switch on the left side of the clamshell.

Please post more pictures. We have a question about the striker plate in the right rear corner where the latch from the rear hatch would go through the wood molding piece. Can you please take a picture of this and post it here?