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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 2:14 pm Post subject: 53 ambulance |
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So , I realise there were a few questions about this bus when it was first for sale on here .
It was purchased and shipped to a guy in the UK , who , upon receiving it decided it may be a bit too ambitious for him and he put it for sale here .
I viewed it some months ago and a deal was struck .
I managed to get it picked up this weekend .
Various shots on the transporter when it was picked up .
I now have it in my workshop and I have begun to have a little play .
I will add more pictures as I delve in - Im sure I will have lots of questions which hopefully you knowledgable folks will help me with .
Thanks Jon |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 4:25 am Post subject: |
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Made some time this week to have a look into the ambulance .
Ive done it on multiple posts with lots of pictures and could do with some some help please in a little bit of identifying parts .
I started on the back end - Just for Wren
The engine cover looks to just be a cut up "normal" barndoor lid -
It has 3 sprung hinges on it which is a bit overkill but a nice feature
Rear hatch also appears to be made of an engine cover joined to the top panel - someone added a window a long time ago and the welding can be seen ( not in photo ) where it was let in - This will be replaced with metal as it would have been originally - Making it a 10 window bus
In the cover over the engine there is an inspection hatch to get to the engine
This is the hatch from below - sorry for crap pictures but forgot camera .
This looks too good to be an add on after and im sure I have seen this hatch on other BD ambulances - Conformation would be great
The valance I have - Would like to know if this is correct for a Feb 53
Valance is in great condition
This is the hatch above the engine as viewed from in the back of the bus
The picture is a 90 degrees but there is also a hatch above the petrol tank - dont think this is original as its quite crude - again would be interested in the facts - Tank is also like nothing else ive seen but it would have to be custom made in factory for the ambulance so you never know - Ill get pictures of the tank when I can
I do have covers for the hatches but these are certainly not correct .
More to follow |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 4:46 am Post subject: |
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Next on to the seats .
The front seats are really solid and clean - the covers are shot but you cant have everything - From the research I have done these are correct for my 53
On to the middle seat - Not a 6 leg - so not correct
The springs look to be later and the 4 legs are at roughly 90 degrees to the seat base - Would be very interested in identity of this - I need one for my samba as well !!
Rear seat base
This has 2 legs and a wooden base - I understand this is possibly correct in certain markets
The upper section of the rear seat has this trim panel on the back - this is the same trim as inside the bus - very similar vinyl as the interior of my Zwitter ( Dec 52 ) so could be original ? more pictures of the trim in a bit
In order to help identify these I opened them up to show the springs
As you can see they are both filled with single springs
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 8:54 am Post subject: |
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With all the seats out of the way I took out the trim and got to see the floor etc for the first time
This is where it all gets a bit weird - I think its best described as being like a factory prototype of what was to come in 1955 .
Although it has had a small number of repairs im 100% sure this is the original floor - and other than the outer inch or so its really good - even the join to the firewall and the bulkhead are good
More detail of the rear end - I guess the upright tube is for the heater duct originally
Hidden behind the trim on the long panel are the original uprights - both had fallen out due to corrosion and they are propped up here .
It has also been suggested that the bus was a " service bus " rather than a full on ambulance - The headliner was what prompted that thought , however the total lack of evidence for fittings on the sides and the floor ( no runners etc ) would maybe point that way too - The only fitting on the floor is the normal threaded bar fitting with a clamp and butterfly nut . This can be seen in this picture
More detail of the front bulkhead - bulge for the spare wheel just like a later model
The trim removed from the front bulkhead - again very factory looking and in the same brown vinyl - possibly from a post 55 bus
some detail of the trim at the back - very well done and again could be factory
Close up of the fabric
The trim is the same in the front as the rear
The headlining detail in the front
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 9:20 am Post subject: |
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A bit of detail of the ambulance fresh air vent - These were used on the early models prior to the behr intakes mounted on the front
Chrome finish is flaking off
Poor photo of the front of the box inside
The intake on the roof
Interestingly the engine , although obviously not original it has a number stamped on it - number dates it to dec 52 so could be original number
The birth certificate as supplied by previous owner
Moving into the cab - Having cleaned it out I can get a good look - Again its like a factory prototype - very weird
Gear stick mount , heater knob and possibly choke outlet ?
The adjusted bulkhead
Drivers seat top
Spare wheel hole
The tool chest
Passenger seat top
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 9:34 am Post subject: |
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Speedo pod looks good as does speedo and switches
Look a load of electrical tape off the wheel expecting a nightmare under neath , but it doesnt even have a crack , just needs paint in the centre and arms
Jesus bar
Foot bar - cab floor is also pretty good
Pedal cluster
Floor plate
Rear view mirror - Is this correct ?
I have 2 of these - Dust covers ? one loose and one on the front wheel
Original front badge - looks good as well
So all in all looking not bad and im very happy .
I cant wait to get into this in a big way , just need the money now |
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djfordmanjack Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2009 Posts: 2171 Location: Graz, Austria, Europe
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Stetoppingphoto Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Darwen
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Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Nice, looks very interesting _________________ stetoppingphoto |
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harryv Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2011 Posts: 64 Location: EXETER
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 10:23 am Post subject: |
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Alright Jon, its jay with the SC at volksfest, good luck with the resto and hope to see it in the future!! _________________ 59 Deluxe
WHUFC. |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:37 am Post subject: |
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Hi Jay ,
Great to meet you at the weekend .
I cant wait to get in - I have had a little play with the rear hatch and have started to remove the window that shouldnt be there .
Hopefully Metal will come back with friends from Germany over the next few weeks and I can sort the chassis out .
If you are passing this way give me a bell and pop in .
I get down to Exeter occasionally so will let you know if we are about . |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:49 am Post subject: |
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So , Last weekend I trailered the ambulance to a local show where it scared a fair few people .
Sun was out and good weekend was had by all .
My youngest seems to have taken a liking to it !!
Once it arrived back I was itching to get into it , so managed to get an hour or 2 on it when customer stuff way finished .
Whilst I wait for some parts to come back from Germany when people return from H.O. and EBI I decided I would start on the most annoying bit .
The rear hatch .
The hatch has had this window put in it at some point - using a die grinder I set about finding where it had been let in
You can see the welds here
Once I had got the line of where it was all welded I cut out the let in piece and carried on cleaning the multiple layers or paint and filler off .
The top section is in very good condition and only has a few small dents - this is the worst of them - so no major hassles here
Still cleaning it back - need to take handle off before I get too close
Cleaning the bottom section off - under all of the paint and filler is the original ambulance paint
The centre section has some filler and a repair has been done to the right
Removal of the inner window mount on the inside
Both sides cleaned up ok and will be good once its all straight .
More to follow |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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I have found a little time to do a bit more .
Not very exciting but I am taking time to understand how it was made and possibly why it was done that way .
I finished removing all the paint and filler etc from the hatch
Still not too scary
The area at the bottom of the hatch will require some work , not least of which to get the hatch off and preserve the hinge mechanism - This is sandwiched between 2 L shaped pieces of metal and both are dead .
I also had a look at the rear corners - The right one had seen some sort of impact and was quite badly dented
A little work with the dolly and bumping file and its looking better already .
more to follow |
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sleepywiesel Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2010 Posts: 89
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:33 am Post subject: |
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This is such an nice car. congrats!
The engine looks weird. The Generator stand is mounted onto the engine case. But it should be one piece. Looks like someone took an newer engine case and stamped an old number in. _________________ ________________________
'59 beetle
'60 beetle |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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sleepywiesel wrote: |
This is such an nice car. congrats!
The engine looks weird. The Generator stand is mounted onto the engine case. But it should be one piece. Looks like someone took an newer engine case and stamped an old number in. |
Cheers , Hope you enjoy watching it come together .
The engine is indeed a later one however engine number is era correct - Annoyingly I have a 52 and a 54 engine but not a 53 |
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Chad M Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2003 Posts: 723 Location: Alberta
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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I suppose your question about the rear view mirror being correct was in reference to the era not so much this particular bus? If I understand right this bus wouldn't have had anything to look back through. |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 11:43 am Post subject: |
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Chad M wrote: |
I suppose your question about the rear view mirror being correct was in reference to the era not so much this particular bus? If I understand right this bus wouldn't have had anything to look back through. |
Cheers Chad , That one comes under the title of " stupid questions " and there will be plenty more |
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Jacks Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2006 Posts: 2347 Location: San Clemente, Ca.
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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Years ago, the school bus I rode in had a large interior mirror that allowed the driver to see what was going on with the passengers behind him. I suppose that feature could be useful in an ambulance. _________________ Jack Staggs
Actual name |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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Jacks wrote: |
Years ago, the school bus I rode in had a large interior mirror that allowed the driver to see what was going on with the passengers behind him. I suppose that feature could be useful in an ambulance. |
Not as useful as a vehicle carrying the cheerleaders to the game |
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65-deluxe Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2009 Posts: 75 Location: England
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:26 am Post subject: |
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Going back to the rear window - I decided that as the profile is so similar and the metal would be very similar in make up that I would use a section from the very bad side to fill in the rear window - So out with the grinder
Once it was cut to approx size I clico'd it in place
Once in place and I was happy with the profile I could mark it up ready for cutting
Once cut and having cleaned the edges I used small nuts and bolts with washers on to locate the panel
Very slowly tacked in place - each weld cooled as I went
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Djoul Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2008 Posts: 216 Location: France
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:44 am Post subject: |
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whow...
good luck for this resto, I love ambulances... _________________ "please, excuse my bad English...."
69 CLIPPER-L
74 WESTY
68 BUG
73 THING
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A BUS! |
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