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56 Logoed Panel with custom highroof, river rescue in AK
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akmush
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Joined: January 16, 2012
Posts: 276
Location: Fairbanks, AK
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:27 pm    Post subject: 56 Logoed Panel with custom highroof, river rescue in AK Reply with quote

Our discovery began as an ordinary summer day in Fairbanks, AK. We were making the annual June pilgrimage to "the sandbar" just down the Tanana River from the boat landing. Lately a section of river was carving a new channel in an area known as Perkins Landing. Just days before our fateful trip, an article published in the local paper carried the title, "Erosion Puts Tanana River Home On The Brink Of Destruction." As we floated by the unlucky house, I noted how the water had taken off the front deck and was undercutting the footings. Then I spotted the distinct shape of a split window VW van next to the doomed house.

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The green "splitty" was camouflaged in the spruce trees, but I knew what I was looking at and its outline looked unusually tall. During the return trip I slowed the outboard as we passed the scene again. That’s a hightop! The bus was literally perched on the cut away bank. Pieces of earth splashed into the current as we passed by. It could go in at any moment!

Of course there was a catch. I was due to leave town the next day! A frantic call my best friend and fellow VW fanatic, and the rescue was made.

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And here's a bird's eye view of how close she was to a watery grave. That brown soup filled with debris is river filled with glacial silt from the Wrangell St. Elias Mtns.

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Later that summer the entire house was lost to the river!
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OhHerrooo
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cant wait to see some photos of the recovery!!!
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smoothfinishes
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Best rescue story Ive heard in a long time. Awesome!! Congrats.
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BlueJayScout
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow! Was the house abandoned or did you convince the owner to sell?


Looking forward to your update.
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vdublammy
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wow what a save. please let us know how you got it out? more pics of the logos...
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akmush
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Location: Fairbanks, AK
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:56 pm    Post subject: 56 Logoed Panel with custom highroof, river rescue in AK Reply with quote

So here is what we found:

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Now the details-

She is a 56 Panel. According to her birth certificate she was built in Feb of 56 and originally shipped to NY with snow tires from the factory.

Obviously high roofs were not produced by VW for another 5 years. But just maybe, it was mods like this one that pushed them to do so. This is clearly done by pros, for a very specific purpose. Check out the corners!

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We haven't had time to track down the ACME Distributing Co. but do know that they are no longer listed in the phone book. Still the signage is in incredible condition.

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She survived some major natural disasters in AK, including the Earthquake of 64 that destroyed whole sections of Anchorage and possibly the Flood of 67 in Fairbanks that covered the entire city in 5-6 feet of water. She was last registered in Fairbanks in 1967. Cool license plate-

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More to follow...
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ratherb-buggin
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Joined: January 30, 2005
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Location: Shawnee, KS
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What a cool bus!! Nice save and a great story! Can't wait to see more pics!
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joe56vw
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:26 pm    Post subject: Re: 56 Logoed Panel with custom highroof, river rescue in AK Reply with quote

akmush wrote:


She is a 56 Panel. According to her birth certificate she was built in Feb of 56 and originally shipped to NY with snow tires from the factory.



sweet another wolfsburg bus is found check out this tread
there are alot of little diffences between these and hanover buses

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225586&highlight=wolfburg
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Mr. OGPaint
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really cool bus, that high roof conversion does look to be pretty professional.

Any body tags or anything along that line to identify a possible coachbuilder of the conversion?
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LAGrunthaner
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Awesome find.
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peecee69
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice find! That makes two great finds in the last couple of days. They're still out there, as long as you keep your eyes peeled!
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yeahpj
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

insane so rad! Very Happy
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Bendango
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

WOW - whats inside? Very Happy
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caseydenise
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really nice bus. I love how these stories are "rescues" more than a find. Very Happy
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yeahpj
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone seen the film 'into the wild'?
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caseydenise
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeahpj wrote:
Anyone seen the film 'into the wild'?


If you haven't your missing out. "Magic bus" for sure.
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Rich's 50
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very cool
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Stonefish
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Amazing find!!
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Brian_1952
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I want to go hunting now....
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yeahpj
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

caseydenise wrote:
yeahpj wrote:
Anyone seen the film 'into the wild'?


If you haven't your missing out. "Magic bus" for sure.


Alaska, river, wilderness.. bus.. it all adds up Wink
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