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Mike1101
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2025
Posts: 11
Location: Florida
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 Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Looking good buddy!! Keep on keeping on   |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| RAMZROD wrote: |
| Congrats brutha! Great score! |
Thank you Ramsey!!! Lots more work comin up!!   |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| Mike1101 wrote: |
| Looking good buddy!! Keep on keeping on |
Stay tuned, more updates comin soon!! |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 7:07 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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We’re back at it and lots to do!!! Hopefully the video explains good enough what needs to be done but this is what I think needs to happen for it to be a better preservation for the long haul. Missed a few items like the front inner and outer wheel wells and some lower frame repairs but not bad at all just want to make it solid again for years to come!! Nothing hidden here and no corners cut, do it right or nothin at all!! Will be posting some pics of parts I am needing if anyone out there has them for sale I am interested, please PM me.
Thanks for any and all help in advance, Peter
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Just a couple of the parts I am looking for if anyone may have for sale please let me know. If I didn’t mention a part and you see I need and would like to sell please let me know also. Thanks again, Peter
Ps- pics used from the samba as samples and will be removed if need if requested.
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Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5442
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 8:23 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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I did not expect to see all that rust under the toolbox area. Really weird that the pedestals are OK and the toolbox and frame rails be that rusty.
Guessing this bus was in some salt at one point in it's life.
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 8:41 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Tell me about it!!  Must have driven through the salt, not cleaned thoroughly and coated with the tar. Then moisture set in and really got to work on the rust!! Got to stay positive and keep it going as the keepers of these VW’s for our future generations to enjoy!! Who knows 10-20 years from now someone else will appreciate the efforts I am putting in to Blue and will be enjoying like hopefully soon my family and I will!!! |
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ryans65
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2016
Posts: 1330
Location: Yulee FL
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2025 11:56 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| Holy cow I would never have guessed it would be that rusty there! Nice work so far looking forward to more! |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2025 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| ryans65 wrote: |
| Holy cow I would never have guessed it would be that rusty there! Nice work so far looking forward to more! |
Hey Ryan, yes a little more than expected covered up by that darn tar!! Oh well I will chip away at it little by little. Would like it done quick but not gonna stress myself out over it! It gets done when it get done, plus I truly like working on them! Thanks for the positive comments!! More video and pics comin right up!!
Last edited by GERMANAIRE on Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:41 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Got some more work in on Blue and got the cargo floor out and some detailing. A little more to go and comin along nicely. The tar in some areas has been a rust magnet and in some the metals savior, so will take the good with the bad and keep it movin with a positive stride!! Luckily I was able to get Blue outside and get most of that dusty and crusty work done on the exterior to prevent all that nasty stuff and dust from goin all over the interior of the shop and contents!!  We have rain comin in and moved blue back inside and will probably remove the engine and heater and get movin in the engine bay clean out while waiting on metal!
Lookin for fresh air tubing for the front of the bus, if anyone has any sections they have for sale please let me know. I will buy in sections also.
Thanks, Peter
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Engine and Heater Removal Day!!! Got them both out with some work and was able to vacuum, clean and detail out some to see what it looks like under all that tar!! Some spots will need attention but looking promising for the most part! Will be back at it tomorrow to try and have the engine bay cleaned out!!!!
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Was able to get some progress today in the engine bay with the tar removal! Very tedious and time consuming but well worth it at the end. More tar removal tomorrow on the interior, should be easier on my back and knees from crouching in that engine bay for hours!!
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velvetgreen
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2004
Posts: 2878
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:23 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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nice job on tar removal- vey satisfying and smelly too. Originally prob took them less than an hour to apply that mess and now will take you way way more than that to remove! I can almost smell it melting. Good idea on plastic scrapers to keep from gouging the paint. What temp setting are you using the heat gun on?
Looks like there was a gas heater in there at one point??
Great results though!!! |
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tasb 
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6674
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:50 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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That engine is VERY INTERESTING. It has some pieces on it worthy of note. Besides the often missing thermostat assembly being present, it has the one year only oil cooler brace seen on the front of the fan shroud which also makes the fan shroud and oil cooler unique. The air filter brace or finger is also still present and is often missing. It’s connected to the triangle filter mount and the front of the fan shroud seam, offering extra support. What in the world is that oil filler cap doing on that engine? Looks just like the one on my 1953 Studebaker! Your engine has at least one radio noise suppressing capacitor present. Finally, the complete hand crank start assembly is still present. A very original engine there.
_________________
Roads Scholar
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse
Member# 2059 |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| velvetgreen wrote: |
nice job on tar removal- vey satisfying and smelly too. Originally prob took them less than an hour to apply that mess and now will take you way way more than that to remove! I can almost smell it melting. Good idea on plastic scrapers to keep from gouging the paint. What temp setting are you using the heat gun on?
Looks like there was a gas heater in there at one point??
Great results though!!! |
Thank you! I have been working hard on it to gain some ground for sure.
Time consuming for sure and yes the smell of tar was all over the shop and the plastic scrappers were great but would soften up and start to bend so I had to keep switching them.  Took some pics of the heater and seems pretty complete, but I have not tested it and wasn't planning on running it.
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| tasb wrote: |
| That engine is VERY INTERESTING. It has some pieces on it worthy of note. Besides the often missing thermostat assembly being present, it has the one year only oil cooler brace seen on the front of the fan shroud which also makes the fan shroud and oil cooler unique. The air filter brace or finger is also still present and is often missing. It’s connected to the triangle filter mount and the front of the fan shroud seam, offering extra support. What in the world is that oil filler cap doing on that engine? Looks just like the one on my 1953 Studebaker! Your engine has at least one radio noise suppressing capacitor present. Finally, the complete hand crank start assembly is still present. A very original engine there. |
it looked pretty complete to me but didnt realize all it had till I got it home and really took a good look at it, even more when I got it out. I have had the oil filter finger brace before and even purchased a couple from campingbox but never the tubular brace in the back of the shroud. Took some close up pics of the oil filler filter and that I have never seen but very cool! Cleaned the oil filler filetr up a little to see if it had any marking, writing or labels but it did not. Maybe someone will chime in and shed some light on it.
Thanks for the positive comments
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Was able to purchase the center toolbox section under the front seat and some frame rails sections also. I was able to take it all apart with lots of patience and learn how it was put together. Boy did it have spot welds  This was definitely a firsthand learning experience! I now understand how it goes together and have a template to refer to when welding back in. Proper spacing on spot welds and fitment. Will be prepping the frame and area inside the bus to start on the metal repair and panel replacement. Here are some pics of the disassembly.
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AlanInMass54
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2003
Posts: 1105
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 9:44 am Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| You're doing amazing work on this Bus good Sir! I've got a 58 in fairly similar condition. That's some fine surgery taking apart that tool box section. I wish I could find front frame sections like that! Mine's shot there too. Keep at it! |
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tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6674
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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Holy time consumption Batman! I was wondering why there hadn't been a reply to my post about the engine and now I understand why. My Kombi is a virgin compared to the work you are doing.
If that heater is original to the Bus I would hope you'd consider keeping it, cleaning it up and reinstalling it. Even if you don't have it operational. Especially since the operational switch is present up front.
_________________
Roads Scholar
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse
Member# 2059 |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| AlanInMass54 wrote: |
| You're doing amazing work on this Bus good Sir! I've got a 58 in fairly similar condition. That's some fine surgery taking apart that tool box section. I wish I could find front frame sections like that! Mine's shot there too. Keep at it! |
Hello Alan, Thank you Bud! I've been working on it little by little to make it as right as possible and learning along the way. When I go back I will ask if they have another. He has a few out there that may work. This one was being cut as I arrived and asked if it was for sale and got lucky. Thank you for the kind comments, more to come soon!!
Hope all is well, Good to hear from you! |
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GERMANAIRE
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2007
Posts: 766
Location: BUFORD,GA.
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: 1957 Dove Blue 11 Window Kombi Preservation |
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| tasb wrote: |
Holy time consumption Batman! I was wondering why there hadn't been a reply to my post about the engine and now I understand why. My Kombi is a virgin compared to the work you are doing.
If that heater is original to the Bus I would hope you'd consider keeping it, cleaning it up and reinstalling it. Even if you don't have it operational. Especially since the operational switch is present up front. |
Lol!! Trust me I've considered it and may change my mind but have never used one and do not know much about them yet! Ive kept all its original parts in a separate box just in case! |
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