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dolfie
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: España
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 Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 7:50 am Post subject: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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Hello,
could anyone please help me identifying which would be the correct tail lights for this bus. It is a 59 deluxe microbus imported from USA. See here the bus in the picture attached!
According to the info I found in the internet, from 1957 rear central brake light and reflectors were discontinued to only use two rounded tail lights serving as indicators and brake lights. However, I found some examples from 59 with different configurations such as these ones:
http://www.silverliningautorestoration. ... s-og-paint
if anyone could help me and give me pointers with the correct tail lights this bus should really have,
much appreciated
Thanks,
Last edited by dolfie on Thu Mar 29, 2018 4:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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BulliBill
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 4572
Location: St Charles, MO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:18 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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Hi there,
Wrong engine decklid for a 1959, Safari rear hatch window never existed back then either. Certain countries might have required the extra pair of yellow lens lights, but for delivery to most countries only a pair of round red taillight assemblies with brake/running/turn signal functions were provided.
Something tells me though that with this Bus you aren't going for the completely stock look...
Bill
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
Thanks for any help!
Last edited by BulliBill on Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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sgmalt46
Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2005
Posts: 1296
Location: south san francisco
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| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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a 59 would have the lower red tail lights . no center brake light. and the decklid with the brow.the extra yellow lights are an alternate euro version for foggy countries? do you have a m-plate? it will tell the story.
_________________
55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
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46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG |
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
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dolfie
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: España
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| Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 4:44 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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Thank you so much for all your kind help. Sorry Bill about the Hi Caps, did that unintentionally!
I guess the orange tail liths and the centre brake light were added afterwards.
I would like to put it back to original.
Thanks again to all. |
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BulliBill
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 4572
Location: St Charles, MO
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| Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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No sweat "dolfie", no harm done. Have fun with that Bus!
Bill
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
Thanks for any help! |
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Lind
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000
Posts: 9915
Location: idaho
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| Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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How does the M-code plate read on the bus? That taillight setup is not something that people normally hack into a bus. Just because the bus was imported from the USA doesn't mean that it was built to USA specs originally.
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Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
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jason
Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2002
Posts: 3444
Location: Garage
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| Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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| Bumpers are also wrong if it is in fact a US spec. |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14258
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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| What's that antenna looking thing on the red bus? |
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EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
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dolfie
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: España
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:17 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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mplate reads the following:
M-Plate content
Model Type 2 (T1) mod. 241 :
- Microbus Deluxe
- 8 seater
- Cargo doors right
- Full middle seat
- LHD
Chassis number 479484
Serial number 24479484
Modelyear 1959
Planned production date June 12 ,1959
Paint color
Color upper part : L472 - Beige Grey
Color lower part : L53 - Sealing Wax Red
Interior color (doorpanels and seats) 77 - Blue Grey
Destination USA, Los Angeles
M-CODES
175 Ram protection (bumper with guards)
373 UNKNOWNS M-CODES |
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dolfie
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: España
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:21 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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code 373 does not give any results.
According to mplate, bumpers are wrong as well as it should have the US bumpers with over riders and towel rails...
but what most intrigues me are the two orange tail lights...why would anyone make that modification.
Thank you all for your kind advice and your time. It is great to have this awesome community.
Happy Easter to all! |
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mandraks
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004
Posts: 7047
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 7:35 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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| dolfie wrote: |
...
but what most intrigues me are the two orange tail lights...why would anyone make that modification.
...
Happy Easter to all! |
dolfie, US spec tail lights are really not legal in europe. They are also tiny.
In europe people expect blinkers to be amber colored. The setup you have is actually proper for several countries, for example australia had them like this.
adding a brake light engine lid gives you a 3rd brakelight, with the small tail lights people might not even notice that you are hitting the brakes since newer cars have HUGE LED taillights now.
that is probably why the mods were made, all seem reasonable and somewhat stockish, just not original to the car.
FYI. a german 59 bus would still have had sempahores..
I certainly prefer your setup over the later larger 62 and up tail lights.
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regards
Uli
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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
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AlteWagen
Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8501
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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Did this bus come from the west coast by any chance? I remember one in the 90s that looked just like yours with the dual tail lights but appeared to be a VIN swap. The body was earlier than the year stated (also a 59) and the original color of the roof was dark. It have matching vin/mcode but those are easily changed. Has the stamped vin in the rear been modified?
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easy e
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 3931
Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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| mandraks wrote: |
| The setup you have is actually proper for several countries, for example australia had them like this. |
I believe Italy is another one.
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Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
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dolfie
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: España
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| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 2:22 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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| AlteWagen wrote: |
| Did this bus come from the west coast by any chance? I remember one in the 90s that looked just like yours with the dual tail lights but appeared to be a VIN swap. The body was earlier than the year stated (also a 59) and the original color of the roof was dark. It have matching vin/mcode but those are easily changed. Has the stamped vin in the rear been modified? |
Hello AlteWagen!
I am not very sure...this one does not have matching mplate but has the vin stamped right in the engine bay...I am attaching a picture. And also a picture of the bus when first imported to England in 2007.
Bus has birth certificate according to the vin and it all seems right to me. Picture attached!
You really scared me now! Please let me know your thoughts!
Thanks bud!
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dolfie
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: España
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| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 2:31 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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| mandraks wrote: |
| dolfie wrote: |
...
but what most intrigues me are the two orange tail lights...why would anyone make that modification.
...
Happy Easter to all! |
dolfie, US spec tail lights are really not legal in europe. They are also tiny.
In europe people expect blinkers to be amber colored. The setup you have is actually proper for several countries, for example australia had them like this.
adding a brake light engine lid gives you a 3rd brakelight, with the small tail lights people might not even notice that you are hitting the brakes since newer cars have HUGE LED taillights now.
that is probably why the mods were made, all seem reasonable and somewhat stockish, just not original to the car.
FYI. a german 59 bus would still have had sempahores..
I certainly prefer your setup over the later larger 62 and up tail lights. |
Hi Uli,
Thanks for your post. Actually the modifications were made in USA before it was imported to the UK. You are right though that the set up is more suitable for today´s roads.
I think that semaphores in the US were dropped in 1956 onward.
There are just a few things that don´t seem right with the bus like the tail lights and the bumpers...
Thanks again buddy,
Hugs |
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adriano
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2008
Posts: 146
Location: Iseo Lake
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| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:52 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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VIN position isn't correct for a June 1959. Normally is under the tank. Furthermore the last digit 4 is differentf from the first one.
Do you have the plate with the VIN printed under the tank?
Attached the 1959 May owner manual:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/may59bus/page8.jpg |
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easy e
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 3931
Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12400
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| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 7:36 am Post subject: Re: Correct tail lights 59 US Samba? |
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Yes, the VIN location is normal for a late 59. It looks fine.
The deluxe model number does not say whether it came with a sunroof.
Deluxe buses normally came with a sunroof; but it was an option to delete the sunroof. An option that made the bus cheaper.
If it has M130 it is a tin top/ hardtop deluxe. It was optioned w/o the sunroof & skylights.
No M130 on a deluxe means it is a sunroof deluxe, since they did not delete the sunroof & skylights.
People have been hanging early engine lids on later buses for decades, to get a third brake light.
My M130 61 deluxe had the taillight hacked by a PO, it has the 62-71 taillights. I swapped in Euro taillights and changed the wiring so it has amber turn signals and a separate bulb for the brake and running lights. I've thought of doing the Aussie style two light thing. But if it gets fixed it'll probably go back to the dollar lights.
I mean, I can see the way they did your lights as an upgrade so others can see the bus better. And they did it in the style VW did it on some buses, even if not year correct, or the way that bus was ordered.
But your bus did not come new with a rear safari, either.
Was it one of the few that was actually factory fitted with front safaris?
I would change the bumpers before I changed the decklid. Red bumpers just don't look as good on a SWR/ BG bus. Get the overriders if you want it to be as sold, it looks better than the bare blades FWIW. IMO. Since you are looking for something to fix. |
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