Split a clipper!

[alainlevy]

Dear all,

This is my first post, so a 2 line presentation first: I have owned, lived and travelled in 3 samba busses between 1983 and 2001 (2*23 + 1*21). For various unfortunate reasons, they are all gone now and I am missing them dearly. I am trying to recreate the feeling in a way I can afford. I live in France.

I have been toying with an idea that is probably foolish, but as I cannot brush it off my head, I thought I would open it to public debate. I either need to be talked out of it, or encouraged to proceed. Here we go:

I am thinking of getting a Brazilian Kombi Klipper and transforming it into a Split.
The klipper - 1976 to 1995 - has the back of a splitscreen with all the square and corner windows, and the front of a bay.
Note that I am not at all interested in the conversion kit that was available in the UK a few years ago. I am thinking of stripping the bus completely from the front seats forward and rebuilding the front end with new parts (doglegs, floor pan, front valance, front panel, A posts) and second-hand ones (doors, dashboard, front part of the roof with visor, bumper etc).
Once that is done, I would add a grumpy metal sun roof and might sort out other cosmetic details (back lights, fuel cap door etc...).

Important: I have zero consideration for resale value or originality.

I would appreciate your input on the
- stupidity scale
- feasibility scale
- guesstimate of the cost (part and labor) , although I can probably work that out myself if I decide to move forward.

I am not sure if this post should go in the bay or split forum, so move it as you see fit.

Thank you for your feedback,

Alain

[busman78]

Since value and originality means nothing that leaves unique which is cool, so if your wallet is a large as your idea I say go for it, you will have a unique vehicle or something a dog will not pee on.

[Abscate]

It belongs in the Split Forum just so that we can watch the gnashing of teeth

Go for it and own it. I hate lowered busses, but the guys who do it right have more working talent than I have, to which I tip my hat.
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.ssS!

[TDCTDI]

Why not make memories in it as it is? The longer it takes to make it something that it's not, the less time you have to enjoy it. All you'd be doing is effectively (at this point) wear it as a status symbol, assuming it gets completed.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Globespotter]

Sounds feasible, not stupid, and cost will depend on availablity of parts and how much you do yourself.

I say go for it.
_________________
1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980

1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=

http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382

[shiningstar76]

Why would you not just buy a split?
_________________
KK4NTP
96 Tacoma
86 4Runner
My bus caught on fire and is now on the other coast with someone who gave me money for it.

[VWDog]

A guy who lives in my neck of the woods apparently tried that kind of conversion with a Bus I once owned. He got to the point of cutting it up(i.e. the pressed emblem nose cut off) and then as far as I know, stalled. I heard rumours that nothing lined up and the narrowing of the Split was too much to cope with for his skill set. I was sad to hear that a working Bus with history had been cut up. As shiningstar76 said, Why not just get a Split? I think each Bus has its identity, why waste it?

That said, my 2 cents also include measure twice, cut once, and make damn sure it is gonna work before you embark upon such an endeavour.

PS The Split guys will love you
_________________

1970 Lotus White Single Cab 2015- , 1979 Sage Green 2014-2015, 1978 Dakota Beige Westy 2012-2015, 1978 Neptune Blue Riviera 2012-2017 , 1970 Neptune Blue Bus 2010-2012, 1970 Deluxe Savannah Beige 2010-2012, 1985 Iltis 2010- , 1962 Single Cab 2010-2013, 1975 Brasilia? Bay/Split Kombi from Brazil 2008-2011, 1985 DoKa 1999-2009, 1971 Bus 1999-2000, 1968 Double Cab 1991-1998, 1965 Ghia 1987-1991, 1970 Westfalia-bought by Mum and Dad in 1970, sold by me in 1993 why-oh-why :_(

[Ksprague]

When did the Brazillian models switch from the split window to the Bay anyway? I know I've seen listings for Splits from Brazil dated as late as 1973 or 1974. ( I always wondered about that.)

As far as the scope of the project - it's waaaayyyy beyond my skill set so I don't really feel qualified to offer an opinion . . . other than: Life is short, if you feel moved to do this - do it. What the hell?
_________________
Kevin
(1972 Campmobile "Maggie")

"The bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began."
~ Bob Weir

[alainlevy]

[Westfalia73]

[Busstom]

Have you actually made any offers on any split Busses? I can't imagine most people are getting anywhere NEAR some of the absurd prices they're asking.

And so...you never stated whether you have the skill set, and the tools, such as saws, torches, welder(s), English wheel, planishing hammer, etc. Because as you're aware, you're talking about a shit-TON of fabrication. And if that kind of work comes cheap in France, then you may be in good shape...but that kind of work would cost a small fortune here in the States. So much so that, you'd probably be ahead buying a rusty, clapped-out splitty to begin with.

Otherwise, you may have answered your own question when you said:

[alainlevy]

[TomWesty]

Hi Alain,
I don't believe a splitty is the same width at the B pillars, but someone like Glideking on the Split forum could and probably would tell you. Roof curvatures look different to me too. Go look at Glidekings Funky truck restoral and you will see how much fab work can go into these. If it were me, I would learn to love a bay. They grow on you. I wanted a split early on, but now there is no way I would trade my bay for a splitty. Bays rock!
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If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
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[Busstom]

[Bulli Klinik]

From someone who does this work and appreciates and understands your enthusiasm for a split window, buy a split window. You will be money ahead. Nothing will fit.

Possible? Yes.
A good idea? No.

That said, this is my current split:

_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Manfred58sc]

There is an Indonesian outfit that does what you are proposing, he sells world wide and has a good reputation. He can do it far less expensively with $1/hr 3rd world labor than you can in Europe.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[Manfred58sc]

Yumos in Indonesia
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Fat chick owner/operator

[TomWesty]

[Manfred58sc]

I have never driven one of Yumo's creations but I have spoken with someone who has ( and knows what they are talking about ) . Build quality is very high and they have done many of them. Not sure they could be imported to the US unless it was a grey-market approach. They have made their way to Europe however ( probably via Italy, where anything can be off-loaded from a boat...)
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Fat chick owner/operator