TheSamba.com :: View topic - How to ID your camper (westy and non-westy)

Sat May 07, 2005 12:49 am

I came across this in the accessories section of my 67 parts list:

211 012 905: Sleeping arrangement for Micro Bus up to
chassis no. 971549; Type & model: 221-244

What did this kit look like? Is it an owner/dealer install Westfalia kit?
Chassis no. 971549 is in July 1962, near the end of 62 model year
production. I wonder why there is no kit listed for later buses?

Any ideas? Pics?

Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:58 pm

Still no takers on my question about the "sleeping arrangement" listed
under part number 211 012 905???

Here's another version of the Martin Walter Dormobile interior. This one
has a formica interior, unlike my Dormer, which has all the cupboards and
stuff in hammerited sheet metal:

Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:54 pm

I have a Kamper Kit,,, check my pics if you want to see more....

Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:35 pm

More Kamper Kit pics in this auction. I think the price is high enough that I can safely post it and not feel like I'm stepping on somebody's "not known to the masses" good deal... :-) Plus, it's buried in here anyway....only the motivated will find it! Cool bus...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4565929942

Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:31 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127735

has two small camper windows each side that are operated by hand crank. will try take more pics of it up close but any idea? wards i think? its a 60 to 61 camper and used to be a panel (conversion probably) but done professionally or??

need to find out which camper layout i should go for... i know for sure not westy but need to find a design to start the interior (from stratch w new similar type wood but w original plans if possible?)

appreciate it guys!

Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:29 pm

Run some pics of the interior up, can't tell much from what you've posted. If it's a Montgomery Ward version - Josh would probably know.

Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:35 pm

KamperKitJay wrote: I have a Kamper Kit,,, check my pics if you want to see more....

That stove looks like an old rim! Cool!

Sun Aug 14, 2005 9:02 am

Can anyone ID these camper interior bits? I think they're from a RHD 64-67 westy. Anyone know for sure? SO number?

Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:59 pm

Depending on the type of wood - they'r either SO-33 or SO-35. The former is birch (I believe), and the latter is pearwood. In the pictures, these appear to be birch to me, but I could be wrong.

These westys ran from the late '61 model year through the early '65 model year. Flipseats were more common earlier in this run (eg SO-35), and SO-33's were more common later in the run.

The earlier versions of this kit had metal latches, like the SO-23's did. It appears the ones in the picture had the later plastic version. So assuming this is birch, I'd guess it's probably from a late '63 or '64 SO-33, as non SO-42/44 '65's are almost unheard of.

SO-33's came in two version - regular and MOSAIK. I'm not sure if the MOSAIK versions came w/ the electrical outlet for the hanging chandelier, but if they didn't that would be one way to further ID your pieces. Of course, they secured to the inside of the bus differently as well.

Not many RHD westys floating around anymore.... VERY cool pieces!

Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:28 pm

The closet door looks way too high up to be so33. the so34and35 closet door is all the way bumped up top like that. The rear cabinet on the right also looks like pearwood to me. Also the 33 closet doesn't have that support rod in it, maybe the so35 does?

The Mosaik so22 (per westy literature its 22, not 33) didn't have the chandelier plug.

Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:50 pm

Kommercial wrote: The closet door looks way too high up to be so33. the so34and35 closet door is all the way bumped up top like that.

Good eye!

Kommercial wrote: The Mosaik so22 (per westy literature its 22, not 33) didn't have the chandelier plug.

Wow, this is cool to know. Was there a brochure for the SO-33? I've heard lots of different stories about the SO-22, would love to see something in black and white.

Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:56 pm

To clarify, the so22 Mosaik didn't come with the plug installed in the closet.
But the plug did still come with the kit according to literature, i guess it was owner/dealer decision as to where he wanted it.

im not sure if you were asking for proof that it is called a 22, or proof of no plug in the closet? but heres both-

heres a Mosaik so22 with no plug, for sale.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/821455.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/821456.jpg

as far as literature:
here it is in black and white =) 22 and 33.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/63campers/page11.jpg

heres a 22 kit. notice no plug, and notice the mosaik 22 designation at the top and in the text:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/63campers/page9.jpg

more shots of the so22 and 22 call out in the text. no plug visible.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/63campers/page10.jpg

Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:22 pm

New to the split bus but thought I would contribute. My friend and I recently purchased a 1967 camper to restore. We are well on our way but I have been curious to its origins. There are two metal tags on the passenger dog leg stating that it was built by Bowman & Sons. I have searched around and only found one picture of a Bowman bus and it was an exterior shot. The only thing that I found that stood out was the two burner propane stove that is built in on top of the fridge. I haven't seen that configuration anywhere else. Here is a link to our bus and the restoration process. I thought you may be able to use some of the images if needed. http://www.scuba26.com/n/2005/67-camper/

If you have any information on this bus or the company I would appreciate you letting me know. Thanks

Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:46 pm

very cool. thanks for the link

Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:48 pm

Thanks for the intell. Kommercial, I'm not going to be so quick to pass by literature that's written in German in the future just b/c I can'd read 99% of it, as that 1% might come in handy!!! :D

Cool bus west4me, thanks for the link. Been wondering what those looked like...

Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:25 am

Thanks for the replies on my westy cabinets.

So they are SO35? How does one tell if they are made of pear or birch?
There aren't exactly a lot of westies around here for me to compare with,
and I've never seen westy cabinets like these. The left-hand door of the
rear cabinet has been replaced with regular plywood, but the rest is original.

I had planned on using these cabinets in my panel, but the rear cabinet
doors are too low for a mattress, so it seems they can't be used with a
Z-bed, which is my main requirement. What kind of bed did the SO34/35
westies have?

Sat Oct 22, 2005 9:00 am

Does anyone have the dimentions for the cushions in a 58 westy? Also i need the mesurements of the wood panels on the roof panels

Fri May 19, 2006 7:57 pm

update for the Montgomery Ward kit. it is indeed a Montgomery ward conversion. I met an older dude down the road from the shop who had a 67 Montgomery ward, with the same tent mounts as my 67 and kevin77westy's 65. they are out therem keep looking.

Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:41 am

Great source of information on campers, I thought I'd never ID my camper until I found this thread a little over a month ago. I beleive that I have a 67 sportsmobile but I have not seen any pics of another 67 sportsmobile for definative confirmation.

If you think you have a 67 sportsmobile then please send me pics for a comparison.

Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:21 pm

Finally got this post updated.

Lots of new information, primarily in pictures, for the non-westy areas. Please add more information to the site in the form of pictures and literature, we're still getting a lot of "help me to I.D. my camper" types of posts...

Specifically,,,,,

The site needs Sundial and E-Z Camper brochures since those two sites no longer exist and haven't for a while. Also needs Caravelle (Jeff?) and Sportmobile (Rich?) brochures. Please help if you have them!

Need pics of Mongomery Ward and Bowman and Sons interiors, etc.

Need more information on U.K. conversions, and any information on Aussie and Brazilian conversions.