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manOsteel Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005 Posts: 61 Location: S.W. Florida
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject: My absolute FIRST VW...Ever!!! |
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Hey folks, well she came into Cape Coral, FL this week from Ohio and I can't get enough of just lookin' at her. It's so bad that during half time, while watching the Giants/Redskins game, I went out to the garage, sat on that front bench seat, cracked a frosty cold one, and then I just told her of all the plans I had for her and US. I know that sounds strange but I'm stoked about the new ride. Here in South FL we really don't see too many of these, so every time I go for a drive there is always people pointing, waving, and staring(I just hope for the right reasons).
Anyway, she's a '64 13 window deluxe. She's got a 1600 D/P that runs good. I haven't had her over 45mph yet, but the tranny seems to be in good shape also. She leeks a little bit of oil, nothing major. No original rear seats just a fold out from a westy, good enough for now. She has the typical problem areas, both rockers have bondo and are needing replacement and the rear corners have bondo and are pretty dinged up.
The part that really scares me is the ROT in the front wheel wells. I haven't seen replacement panels for these, but maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. The paint job speaks for itself(straight-up HIPPY) but the original paint still looks pretty good and when I get around to it I'll strip that hippy paint off.
My plans for her is to do tthe straight axle conversion with the dropped spindles and narrowed beem. I've been reading all of your posts and trying to soak up enough info to make a somewhat of an educated decision. Most of you guys and gals have some sweet rides!!! My biggest thing is I don't know where I should start. I need new seals all the way around, body work, oil leak, I'll probably start with the seals to make her water tight and then just go from there. Anyway, thaks for reading and let me know what you think or if you have any recommendations. Here are some pic's. Hope this works
Yes...yes...it's a mermaid
Now that's some serious Flower Power.
COOL Indeed
She'll live....right Doc? _________________ "Crisis does not Create Character, it merely Reveals it."
Last edited by manOsteel on Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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krusher Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7652 Location: europe
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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Nice bus, even the hippy paint is pretty cool.
I would say do the importnat stuff first, good engine and brake servie.
Drive it and enjoy it before you fuck it up with all that straight axle bullshit.
That welding you have to do is easy, you dont find panels for there because the so easy to make yourself. |
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doveblue3 Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2003 Posts: 1820 Location: Florida
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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If you want to talk with a bunch of other bus owners in FL, come to Bulli Brigade in Tampa on 11/12/05. |
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arthurnugen Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 3081 Location: The PNW, where "going green" means rolling with moss.
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Nice, but first thing is first: Do a thorough inspection of the brakes and front end and replace whatever is necessary before attending to the body issues. Also, check the tires for cracks/unusual wear. Basically, if it moves, inspect and replace when questionable. Good luck and have fun.
Arthur _________________
cdennisg wrote: |
Lawyers don't deserve buses. |
zozo wrote: |
Don't worry too much. You can always trust a lawyer. |
ALWAYS WEAR STEEL-TOE BOOTS IN THE GARAGE!
1965 Bus (Riviera camper)
1972 Bug 'vert
1967 Bug sunroof
1961 Ghia 'vert
1957 DKW 3=6: 3 cylinder 2 stroke! |
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manOsteel Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005 Posts: 61 Location: S.W. Florida
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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doveblue3 wrote: |
If you want to talk with a bunch of other bus owners in FL, come to Bulli Brigade in Tampa on 11/12/05. |
I plan on being there, I just hope she'll be ready for the trip. _________________ "Crisis does not Create Character, it merely Reveals it." |
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Kommercial Samba Moderator
Joined: December 28, 2000 Posts: 1154 Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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The reason they point and stare is because you have a naked mermaid on the side of your bus!
Any interior shots? Good luck with your project =) |
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pyrOman Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 12409 Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Kool score!
Now go ahead and start rubbing off all that cheesy painting so that the original paint can really shine! _________________ Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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manOsteel Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005 Posts: 61 Location: S.W. Florida
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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pyrOman wrote: |
Kool score!
Now go ahead and start rubbing off all that cheesy painting so that the original paint can really shine! |
I started a little bit with removing the peace symbol on the passenger side door, but I got a feeling it's gonna be a long proceess. I'm thinking about trying some of that easy off, but I'm afraid of damaging the original paint. _________________ "Crisis does not Create Character, it merely Reveals it." |
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Hella Bro Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2002 Posts: 1143
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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God knows that's the condition I like to find buses in....OG paint with half ass paint over it!!!
Id use a mixture of laquer thinner/rubbing compound/ fine to medium steel wool and 6-pack and hit that baby. Looks like a turquoise or velvet green, cant tell by pics.
Good luck an have as much bus fun that you can bear!!!! |
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pyrOman Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 12409 Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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manOsteel wrote: |
pyrOman wrote: |
Kool score!
Now go ahead and start rubbing off all that cheesy painting so that the original paint can really shine! |
I started a little bit with removing the peace symbol on the passenger side door, but I got a feeling it's gonna be a long proceess. I'm thinking about trying some of that easy off, but I'm afraid of damaging the original paint. |
Kool! I thought you'd react by going into convultions and twisting yourself into a pretzel, but it seems like you do have the right idea!
Don't give up just yet! Keep at it and though it may take a long while you will be much happier with the results! _________________ Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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grateful65 Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2005 Posts: 192 Location: california
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats, reading your first post made me smile. I was the same way when I got my first split window. Of course I just bought my sixth one two weeks ago and I still had that giddy feeling. _________________ stuff |
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happydriver Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2004 Posts: 121 Location: V-Dub Ohio
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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Glad to see that it made it down there alright. Also happy that you are happy god knows I'll miss her, treat her right and she will do the same in return. Keep me posted on what you do and how you do it, I'm kinda curious.
By the way it is turqouise with the blue white top. _________________ Just a squirrel trying to get a nut! |
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manOsteel Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005 Posts: 61 Location: S.W. Florida
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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happydriver wrote: |
Glad to see that it made it down there alright. Also happy that you are happy god knows I'll miss her, treat her right and she will do the same in return. Keep me posted on what you do and how you do it, I'm kinda curious.
By the way it is turqouise with the blue white top. |
Will do, and you likewise, keep us posted on that 15 window project you got. Just about time for an update? _________________ "Crisis does not Create Character, it merely Reveals it." |
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happydriver Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2004 Posts: 121 Location: V-Dub Ohio
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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Well I just picked up a tranny for it so now I am waiting on metal. Other than that it is a complete shell and ready to get fixed. Just been picking little odds and ends here and there for it. Glad everything went good with the transport.
Let me know if you see any 58' to early 62' 15 windows at the Bulli Brigade. By the way how far is that from you? Later _________________ Just a squirrel trying to get a nut! |
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manOsteel Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005 Posts: 61 Location: S.W. Florida
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Let me know if you see any 58' to early 62' 15 windows at the Bulli Brigade. By the way how far is that from you? Later |
It's probably a 2 hour drive by car and I'm guessing a 3 hour drive by VW bus. Do you think she'' make it? _________________ "Crisis does not Create Character, it merely Reveals it." |
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happydriver Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2004 Posts: 121 Location: V-Dub Ohio
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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I'll tell ya what, I would definately get those vavles adjusted, grease everything, change oil (motor and tranny), and cross your fingers. I only stress these points because I just drove one about that same distance that should have made it without thinking twice and 15 minutes from home wouldn't ya know it something happened. Also make sure you get a fire extinguisher for that thing, not just that one in particular but I have heard enough horror stories that I wouldn't think of leaving home without one. Other than that do what you thinks right I know she always made a 45 minute trip going 60 -65 just fine. _________________ Just a squirrel trying to get a nut! |
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Shifty Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Wichita, KS - Oklahoma City
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Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations to a fellow newcomer to the world o' the VW bus! I picked mine up Saturday and I know your feelings of wandering into the garage for no apparent reason, just to spend some time looking at your VW(s) and smiling...
_________________ -1967 SO-42 Westy hardtop
Shifty's Spraywerkz / Parrot's Hot Rods and Kustoms, Oklahoma City, OK |
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dmb Samba Member
Joined: October 31, 2005 Posts: 31
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:32 am Post subject: |
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pmgbus wrote: |
easiest way to get top coat of paint off without ruining orig vw paint is to use oven cleaner. (outside due to fumes) certain brands work better than others. spray on foam, leave for between 5 and ten minutes, keep an eye on paint, use plastic scrapper ie icecream lid etc to test paint to see if softening, then hit with high pressure gurney and repeat process, (dont try and scrape paint off, use pressure cleaner.)takes a while but you are left with orig paint, being enamel. if you leave it on too long it will eventually soften enamel too. |
advice given to me, don't know havent tried it but maybe worth a shot |
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Split 1 Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 764 Location: Adelaide. South australia
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:52 am Post subject: |
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Congratulations.
I just picked up a 64, 13 window myself 2 weeks ago.
Dave |
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DeluxeMike Alligator Wrestler
Joined: April 30, 2002 Posts: 416 Location: Fort Myers Florida
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:34 am Post subject: |
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Sweet..............another splitty in SW Florida.
It looks good. Minus the hippie paint of course.
Let me know and we will go through it and make sure it is ready for Bulli Brigade. _________________ Mike
Foreign Policy
www.fpvw.com |
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