TheSamba.com :: View topic - my stupid question for the day.(hey...gotta learn somewhere)

Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:43 pm

Okay, here goes...go easy on me though. :)

Barndoor...I always sort of assumed that a barndoor bus was the same as a splitty bus and it was referring to the fact that the rear doors are hinged instead of sliding like on a bay...the more posts I look at in the forums, the more I see thats definately not the case. I guess a barndoor is '63 & older?? Ignorance is bliss...without finding this site I probably would've spent my life callin' splitty's barndoors when the mood hit me. So, aside from barndoors bein' older splitties...whats different about 'em?

And I guess while I'm at it I may as well get all my newbie questions out of the way for now. Fat chicks...that ones new to me. judging by the context, its a \X/ that's somewhat less desireable but still needs lovin too, right? (surely derived from the phrase "fat chicks need lovin too") Maybe like a superbeetle or bay, or up into the watercooled vanagons & stuff like that?

Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:03 pm

Barndoor buses were built from 1950 to early 55.
They got the name because of the rear engine hatch. They only have one
giant door, not a rear hatch and an engine lid like mid 55 and up.
They are NOT called barndoor because of the side cargo doors!
Here is a pic of a barndoor bus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=87588

Fat chicks is a nickname for 68-79 bay window buses.

Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:29 pm

also barndoors are lacking the fresh air vent above the windshields.
just my 2 cents

Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:57 am

Barndoor Any Bus produced through February, 1955. The term Barndoor is credited to Jeff Walters and is in reference to the large decklid found on those vehicles. Barndoor Type 2's can also be recognized by the lack of an overhead fresh air vent over the windshield, 16 inch rims, the lack of full dash on non-deluxe models, non-opening rear window hatch (a few exceptions); not to mention miscellaneous switches, latches, seats and body panels that are unique to the Barndoor bus and no other. The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the 2 cargo doors on the side of a Bus.

Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:29 am

Karl wrote:
Fat chicks is a nickname for 68-79 bay window buses.
And used regularly in the bug/Ghia forums for any 70's VW...

Vintagebus has a nice VW Bus Terms and Definitions page http://www.vintagebus.com/techinfo/definitions.html