| Author |
Message |
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
 |
|
| Waterborn wrote: |
| Just finished this thread. Thanks for posting all the info and pics. Can’t wait to start digging into my new camper and see what secrets I uncover. To say I’ve been bitten by the VW bus bug is a wild understatement! |
Right on!! Very cool bus you have! Looking forward to following your progress.
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
twistedbug
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2006
Posts: 675
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| So where did you get the new paneling at with that wide spacing |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| twistedbug wrote: |
| So where did you get the new paneling at with that wide spacing |
The spacing of the paneling I bought is not quite as wide as the original paneling, but the "random grooves" are laid out the same as the original.
This company has a lot of different paneling but most of it is a print. The first stuff I bought was a print and I ended up scrapping it all and started over with this stuff:
http://www.designthespace.com/products/oak-veneer-random-plank-paneling-stainable.html
It was shipped out in a semi-trailer (RL Carriers) on a 4x8 pallet which wasn't cheap but it was the closest thing I could find within reason.
Note: There can be a variation between the different sheets of paneling regarding color of the wood pre-stain which will affect the final result. I bought a couple extra sheets and was able to have it all look pretty much the same color. Anyone going this route I would even suggest calling the company and see if they can hand-pick similar color sheets.
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mandraks
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004
Posts: 7050
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| oakman wrote: |
| twistedbug wrote: |
| So where did you get the new paneling at with that wide spacing |
The spacing of the paneling I bought is not quite as wide as the original paneling, but the "random grooves" are laid out the same as the original.
This company has a lot of different paneling but most of it is a print. The first stuff I bought was a print and I ended up scrapping it all and started over with this stuff:
http://www.designthespace.com/products/oak-veneer-random-plank-paneling-stainable.html
It was shipped out in a semi-trailer (RL Carriers) on a 4x8 pallet which wasn't cheap but it was the closest thing I could find within reason.
Note: There can be a variation between the different sheets of paneling regarding color of the wood pre-stain which will affect the final result. I bought a couple extra sheets and was able to have it all look pretty much the same color. Anyone going this route I would even suggest calling the company and see if they can hand-pick similar color sheets. |
i have plenty of that in my den. early 70s. enough for several buses i think 
_________________
regards
Uli
----------------------------------------
'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
twistedbug
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2006
Posts: 675
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:46 am Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| oakman wrote: |
| twistedbug wrote: |
| So where did you get the new paneling at with that wide spacing |
The spacing of the paneling I bought is not quite as wide as the original paneling, but the "random grooves" are laid out the same as the original.
This company has a lot of different paneling but most of it is a print. The first stuff I bought was a print and I ended up scrapping it all and started over with this stuff:
http://www.designthespace.com/products/oak-veneer-random-plank-paneling-stainable.html
It was shipped out in a semi-trailer (RL Carriers) on a 4x8 pallet which wasn't cheap but it was the closest thing I could find within reason.
Note: There can be a variation between the different sheets of paneling regarding color of the wood pre-stain which will affect the final result. I bought a couple extra sheets and was able to have it all look pretty much the same color. Anyone going this route I would even suggest calling the company and see if they can hand-pick similar color sheets. |
I don't think I'm going that route, Birch paneling at lowes is reasonable, with a dado blade or 2 blades on my table saw I could match up the grooves in the OG paneling, making it match in color is a different story, hate to take it all out and lose the O,GNEEZ of it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waterborn
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2018
Posts: 179
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL - USA
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
While going through my bus (which I was told was an "Alabama Camper" I pulled out the tent/canopy poles and put them together recently. Luckily all the pieces were there. Interested in tracking down a full length canopy to go on this frame, preferably one that has snaps that will secure it to the metal rods. Any suggestions on a vendor for such an item?
Also, any idea what the pieces of pipe that hang down from the main crossbar by the bus, the ones with eye holes in them, are for?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Waterborn wrote: |
Interested in tracking down a full length canopy to go on this frame, preferably one that has snaps that will secure it to the metal rods. Any suggestions on a vendor for such an item?
|
Here's the exact complete tent + poles that goes with your frame. If you go back a few pages in this thread you can see it's the same one I had. Expensive, yes..but still cheap compared to a Westfalia tent and poles by a long shot.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2113962
| Waterborn wrote: |
Also, any idea what the pieces of pipe that hang down from the main crossbar by the bus, the ones with eye holes in them, are for?
|
My poles were slightly different as the 2 supports actually went to holes in the front and rear bumpers.
These camper kits had a lot of small changes and improvements over the years.
Also.. When i posted this I thought the "extra" piece was to cover the cargo door opening. I later realized that you hang it on one of the center cross tubes and it creates a bathroom or changing room within the tent.
| oakman wrote: |
There is even a piece that covers the cargo door opening:
(Disregard the yellow curtains, they're not staying.)
|
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waterborn
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2018
Posts: 179
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL - USA
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
Thanks for the info. WOW on that price!  How much do you think that a complete set of poles would go for? At those rates it seems the pole set would fund a rather nice roof rack. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Waterborn wrote: |
| Thanks for the info. WOW on that price! How much do you think that a complete set of poles would go for? At those rates it seems the pole set would fund a rather nice roof rack. |
The money is in the vintage fabric and it's design. The poles are 1/2" emt
electrical conduit and connectors. Pretty easy for someone with a little skill and a pipe bender.
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waterborn
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2018
Posts: 179
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL - USA
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Makes sense |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waterborn
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2018
Posts: 179
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL - USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
Digging into fixing up the windows on my camper and just re-read this thread. At one point you mention odd-shaped screw heads on your hehr windows. I noticed that I have what at first looked like allen head screws mounting the crank to the window frame. Closer inspection showed that the heads are actually oblong shaped (will try to get decent pics this weekend). Did you ever find the proper tool for removing these screws? Hoping to be able to remove and fix the cranks and would hate to have to drill out these screws.
Also getting ready to drop the engine for the first time (to gain access to the fuel tank to install a new sender). Have a group of more seasoned friends ready to help me out and have been working with them on other engine drops to get ready. With that said, still a bit nervous. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Waterborn wrote: |
Closer inspection showed that the heads are actually oblong shaped (will try to get decent pics this weekend). Did you ever find the proper tool for removing these screws? Hoping to be able to remove and fix the cranks and would hate to have to drill out these screws.
|
I was able to use either a small allen wrench or a square screw bit to remove those odd headed screws. I don't remember the size of allen or square bit but it was just the right size to fit snugly. Those screw heads are a trip.
The second best tool for ease of engine removal (beside the factory tool) is a harbor-freight motorcycle jack. It's almost like they were made for the job. I found mine a few years back at a yard sale for cheap.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lbs-capacity-atvmotorcycle-lift-61632.html
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waterborn
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2018
Posts: 179
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL - USA
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| oakman wrote: |
I was able to use either a small allen wrench or a square screw bit to remove those odd headed screws. I don't remember the size of allen or square bit but it was just the right size to fit snugly. Those screw heads are a trip.
The second best tool for ease of engine removal (beside the factory tool) is a harbor-freight motorcycle jack. It's almost like they were made for the job. I found mine a few years back at a yard sale for cheap.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lbs-capacity-atvmotorcycle-lift-61632.html |
Thanks for the input. Will try to locate a workable bit that can remove those odd screws on the windows.
My friends have one of those motorcycle jacks and yes, it does work nicely. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4532
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:21 am Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Waterborn wrote: |
| oakman wrote: |
I was able to use either a small allen wrench or a square screw bit to remove those odd headed screws. I don't remember the size of allen or square bit but it was just the right size to fit snugly. Those screw heads are a trip.
|
Thanks for the input. Will try to locate a workable bit that can remove those odd screws on the windows.
My friends have one of those motorcycle jacks and yes, it does work nicely. |
Do you suppose it is CLUTCH HEAD? Screwdrivers and bits are out there.
These were used a lot on 1950's GM cars
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4532
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:27 am Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| oakman wrote: |
| Waterborn wrote: |
| Thanks for the info. WOW on that price! How much do you think that a complete set of poles would go for? At those rates it seems the pole set would fund a rather nice roof rack. |
The money is in the vintage fabric and it's design. The poles are 1/2" emt
electrical conduit and connectors. Pretty easy for someone with a little skill and a pipe bender. |
Right. 1/2" EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) About $20 worth of stuff there. If building one from scratch, I'd try to find STEEL couplings rather than die cast. they might cost about $.75 each instead of $.25 but are about 10 times as strong.
Most any first year electrical apprentice can bend this up in an hour.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Alan Brase wrote: |
Do you suppose it is CLUTCH HEAD? Screwdrivers and bits are out there.
These were used a lot on 1950's GM cars
|
That looks like them, thanks for the info!!
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4532
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:40 am Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| oakman wrote: |
| Alan Brase wrote: |
Do you suppose it is CLUTCH HEAD? Screwdrivers and bits are out there.
These were used a lot on 1950's GM cars
|
That looks like them, thanks for the info!! |
They were used in 2 or 3 sizes. 1946-55 Chevies, early Corvettes to 1962 used clutch head screws under the hood and to hold headlight buckets in. I suppose they were attempt at more hoding ability and easy use on power tools on the assembly line.
ANY good tool company will have drivers and bits.
I just love my little Milwaukee M18 impact driver. I use a 1/4 hex to 3/8 square drive with impact sockets and 1/4 phillips and others under the hood.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Michaelfind
Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2016
Posts: 50
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:13 am Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
I finally got this camper cleaned up a bit and took it to a local car show. I was pleasantly surprised to see a big turnout, since last years show was cancelled due to COVID.
I took a few pictures with the canopy set up and some of the interior. This is all original as far as I know. My father bought this camper in 1971.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| Michaelfind wrote: |
I finally got this camper cleaned up a bit and took it to a local car show. I was pleasantly surprised to see a big turnout, since last years show was cancelled due to COVID.
I took a few pictures with the canopy set up and some of the interior. This is all original as far as I know. My father bought this camper in 1971.
|
Your bus looks great!! I would bet that your bus is one of, if not THE cleanest and most original Alabama Camper out there. Very nice!!!
_________________
Brandon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BarryL 
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14269
Location: Casa de Oro, California
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: 1967 Montgomery Ward/ Alabama Camper |
|
|
| What a beauty. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
