TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Feb 24, 2025 11:12 pm

Hey all, first time posting here. The story starts in high school when my girlfriend in high school got a 1971 bay window bus as her first car. We have owned it since then for 11 years and I became our VW mechanic. Pulled the engine numerous times, turned every nut/bolt, and really just got engulfed into the whole thing.

Fast forward about a month ago, my buddy I grew up with, and hadn't spoken to in about 10 years, invited me to stay at his house down in San Diego for the weekend, so I flew down there. I got on craigslist (as I do) and found a 1962 single cab split window in worthy condition. The owner was a mechanic that had redone suspension, steering box, brakes and advertised it as being able to drive across the country despite its rough looks. I go check it out and purchase it pretty much on a whim in the pouring rain. I drove straight to the tire shop and had a set of Hankook Vantra LT 185r14 put on to replace the 25 year old tires that were on it. (These are my preferred tires for my bay window, so I figured I'd put some on this)

Get back to my buddy's place and start taking note of things. I found all kinds of sketchy, questionable wiring related to the stereo system, a second battery installed on the driver's side, an alternator belt that had to be older than I am, dual carb engine completely covered in oil, and no lights or windshield wipers working. I quickly was losing confidence in driving this back home 6+ hours to the central valley. I decided that i would rent a uhaul and trailer it home the next day.

Wake up the next day and the sun is shining brightly. It just seemed like it was going to be a good day, inspiring confidence in the bus. I drove to auto zone, replaced the belt in the parking lot, topped off with some 20w50 VR1 and hit the road. I stopped once in east LA to get some gas, sat in about an hour of gridlock, but made it back home in about 6 hours.

The drive home was great. I had never been in a split window before this. The shifting felt super solid, steering and brakes just as solid as well. This bus has some sort of transmission conversion because I was easily able to do 75 the whole way home just cruising, without the pedal all the way down. Climbed hills great, engine just purred. Never driven a dual carb engine either. I suspect this is maybe a 1776 or something to that effect.

Body is pretty rough, no rust where it counts though. People questioned my decision making skills when I told them what I paid, but that is what it is.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 2:09 am

Nice find, good project. You may have what is known as a freeway flyer modified transmission to match the larger displacement engine. When I found my Single Cab near San Diego it had a 2180cc engine installed and couldn’t make 70 mph due to the stock transmission still in it. I replaced the engine with a single port 1600 for reliability- still can’t make it past 70 which was not my goal. First improvement I would make would be to ditch the air scoops and those seats for the proper bench. The wiring running out the drivers door doesn’t inspire confidence.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 7:23 am

I like it! Not gonna lie though I would have already broke out the buffer to se what that paint would look like.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 7:39 am

what a beaut !
I like that you decided to drive it instead of tow

Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:48 am

mtb bus: i appreciate your support in my decision. It was a bit of a gamble but I really wanted to believe in it's abilities so I went for it.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:53 am

Pandoras box: yes that's the plan, I already bought some products to do just that and tested an area. It is looking hopeful that it will come back to life! I have been busy and haven't done anything with it since purchasing but I will get there. Once I get the bay window into the body / paint shop in a month or two then I'm really going to start digging into this truck. Ill post some pics after I clean up the paint to show you. Thanks for the interest. Side note: do you have a specific product you would recommend?

Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:59 am

Tasb: yeah i assumed it has a freeway flyer and the gear reduction boxes removed or something. I haven't got into this thing yet because of other projects and time. I always heard splitty's were dogs on the freeway, and thats what i was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised.
I actually already bought a seat frame and foam and I have my upholstery guy working on that. Going with ivory vinyl. And he's going to make some door cards and kick panels in black to get rid of the funky looking wood.No speaker holes because I just listen to the engine when I drive these cars, you almost have to! My plan is to really just have a clean, nice interior with no grime, no body work but clean up the paint a bit and drive it the way it is.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 9:50 am

I just use Mcquiars products but a lot of people swear by TR3 but I can never find it. I have a Bauer polisher from harbor freight and it works well and keeps my shoulders from hurting for the following week.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 10:04 am

Pandoras box:
thank you!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 10:29 am

That is a sweet truck. If someone questions the price, suggest they sit out for another year and then try to get in - it won't get easier. Enjoy!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 10:43 am

Buggee: that is very true. Hey, we don't have to justify it to anyone but ourselves!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:08 am

blargon_7 wrote: Buggee: that is very true. Hey, we don't have to justify it to anyone but ourselves!

And our wife apparently, wish someone would have told me that earlier.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:42 am

Pondora you know what's crazy is I presented this to my girlfriend as an investment and she goes " why don't you just keep it. Dont jsut sell it. You've always wanted a single cab" and I thought damn, don't enable me but okay!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 12:06 pm

To give everyone an idea of how crazy the wiring was in this thing. It's amazing it made it home

Tue Feb 25, 2025 2:51 pm

Most important thing is that it is a dual treasure chest. I can't argue about the bus type preference :D . Doing anything in that area is a challenge. Love the color if its dove blue underneath. It was the correct decision to go with your gut and buy it. Marry that that girlfriend not too many like that today. 8)

Tue Feb 25, 2025 3:35 pm

Just how long is the extension cord powering that thing - you mentioned driving several hours!

Sweet truck, and it will be worth the time spent on it. You probably paid less for a turnkey than I did after replacing huge amounts of my project truck!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 4:17 pm

70bus when people talk about going electric i don't think this is what they imagined!

I paid 15k for this. I felt good about it. It's all perspective i suppose

Tue Feb 25, 2025 4:30 pm

Kb65single wrote: Most important thing is that it is a dual treasure chest. I can't argue about the bus type preference :D . Doing anything in that area is a challenge. Love the color if its dove blue underneath. It was the correct decision to go with your gut and buy it. Marry that that girlfriend not too many like that today. 8)

I didn't realize the significance of the dual treasure chest option but I have had multiple people point that out to me!
yeah she is a keeper for sure

Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:51 pm

I'd pay that... if I still had it after all the metal I bought! Hope it has both operative treasure chest locks, cuz those are one of the most expensive things to replace. Only downside about having TWO doors!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:24 pm

I live in San Diego and some how missed this on CL?

Love the story and the approach you're taking.

Don't let that girl get away!!