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My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee
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Buggeee
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 12:50 pm    Post subject: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

It's been summer, and I spend much of my time in a hermetically sealed gerbil cage staring out the sealed window wondering what the flowers smell like.

So when I am released for a few hours here or there, its time for activity. Physical activity. Outside. In the sun, or rain. Not on the keyboard further deteriorating my inflexible aging eyes on yet more screen time.

But... there comes a time.

Build thread. Where to begin? Where all good build threads begin. The origin. The "as found."

I have a problem by the way. Not that any of you would understand, but I will share nonetheless.

When I was a child (cue Pink Floyd please), I had a fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye. Of paint guns, stacked tool boxes, air compressor power tools, sandblasting tanks and welders.

A hermetically sealed gerbil cage was not part of it.

Anyway, Tuesdays were the day. The new issue of Trading Times would hit the shelves at the local grocery. My fingers would be black with ink before dinner. And... many hapless souls would have already suffered the dreaded phone call from a teen with no money asking endless questions about their newly listed mini-bike... go-cart... dirt bike... and... eventually... when the driver's license was within a two year distance... Volkswagens.

My parents did what I would do now. Surrendered their garage, parked their cars out in the driveway and at least they knew where their minion was at any time of day or night.

Ok, so nowadays as I fade into sunset it does not have to be On Any Given Tuesday. It is everyday. And its called Craigslist. I don't count sheep. I count the number of listings under VW.

I know I'm alone in that.

So one lunch, refreshing the screen on my phone while perusing VW listings, this ad pops up. Never saw it before. No one has ever seen it before. Its just popped up right now. Live action. Two Vanagons nose to nose and all you can see is the front doors to the front bumpers. One has a tree smashed in its windshield. It's a Westy. "Vanagons for sale"

That's it. "Vanagons for sale". No price. No year. No info. Just a freakin' foreplay tease shot of two Vanagons nose to nose. And the smashed one is a Westy. This is going down the rabbit hole for sure.

I did what I had to do. I commanded my trembling hand to stop shaking and made the call.

He answered right away, a bit stunned. "I just put that ad up." I know. It's going to be ok now. What do you want for the Vanagons.

Looooooong pause. "um". Looooonger pause. "2,500" Loooooonger Looong pause. "Each. Yes. $2,500, but for each."

Oh my goodness this poor soul has accidentally listed his Vanagons and hasn't even decided why.

I will be right over. Immediately. Swung through the bank for cash and was there within 20 minutes of the posting. By the time I got there three more people had called. Freakin' flippers. Hate those dudes!

Had the phone out as there was no doubt about the fact that this was being rescued by someone who would use the hell out of it, and I was going to need some "as found shots."

Well peeps. Here they are as I walked around waiting for the dude to come out.

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72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
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SnowDaySyncro wrote:
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools.


Last edited by Buggeee on Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Buggeee
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

The dude emerged and he was, as expected, one of us. Mellow, good-natured, everything right with being a human being. And, he explained, he hadn't actually decided for sure that the passenger van would be sold as that had been his daily driver, back in the day when it was his daily driver. "Understand what I mean?" I did, truly. And, I let him know that was a-ok and I could make do with the camper as, it turns out, we really like to camp.

Fast forward through some camping stories and it turns out this was parked maybe 6 years ago (the expired tags say it hasn't moved for more than 12 years) when he had some gas spill at the gas station and its going to need some gas tank seals, which he as been meaning to get to. Yep. I do know what he means.

Then last year this tree dropped a huge limb on the nose, shattering the windshield, so its been tarped until he can get to that. We looked up and, sho-nuf, there's a huuuuuuge tree with a missing limb that must have been about as big around as a tree in itself, and a couple more looking like they want to drop in the next wind.

He has accepted that its beyond what can be accomplished now. The hand of God has stepped in. Man that has gotta hurt. I hate those moments in my own growth, and I wish them on no one.

Let's look inside.

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So while we are poking around, and just before I start babbling about how I'm gonna do dis, and I'm gonna do dat...

He shares that this is not the first time the Westy has been listed. It went up for about two hours about a year ago after the tree hit. A young couple came right over. They were so excited. They were gonna do dis. They were gonna do dat. They were gonna travel the country in their resurrected Vanagon.

He made them leave. He took the ad down. Hearing them talk had re-ignited his plans for his Precious.

I had planned for this. A flat bed tow truck was already en-route thanks to Google voice command helping me during my drive over there.

I said nothing about anything. I let him know it was going to a good home. I understood his situation and would not bargain with him. I would simply pay his asking price. Ink hit paper. Green changed hands.

As the flatbed sat waiting to winch Westy up on its rotted out tires. The good man stood there with his hand on the nose -quietly letting go. It is time. It is truly time.

I promised to send pictures. (And I have been).

Outta there with not a moment to spare.

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Now... sit right here my Precious. It's been a long winter for you. We'll make everything right again.

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 2:05 pm    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Wow!

Ok, lets do this!

A tad rougher than mine was, I took three years to get it on the highway.

Dave
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 7:34 pm    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

I'm in!!! Great opening, this is going to be fun ride. You, sir, can write.

Congratulations on the new ride. Photos are excellent, I can smell the interior from here (not a bad smell, the "hasn't been used" smell). Looks clean.

Cheers,

~Jason
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:01 pm    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Fanscinated and tuned in. I also love your writing.
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:47 pm    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Agreed with the above! I really hope that the paint comes out with a shine for the ultimate contrast. This would be a fun way to make a van your own, especially at that starting price.
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:55 pm    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

you say werds good
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Wasted youth
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:44 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Why do people hate your air cooled?
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:04 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

I love the way you actual the factuals... subscribed
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 5:08 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Love it!

Great rescue too!!!

Popcorn
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:29 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Add me to the readers, Tremendous OP! 👍🏼

Do you have enough wax? Very Happy
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:14 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Subscribed. This one's going to be fun to watch (and read!)

Popcorn
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:15 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

NOT COOL, you took the Tree's Vanagon from it... It's obvious that it fell in love with the Westy, and dreamed of a lifetime together. The tree gave it 'free' branches, free moss, shade in the Summer Sun... You took all that away...
DREAM WRECKER..... Wink Wink Wink

Okay serious time.... Razz The Moss alone would have made me hesitant in taking the plunge on a Vanagon like this, but more power to you...
Can't wait to see how rough the nose is from that 'loving tree' dropping a large branch on the poor van.
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:45 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Prose from Dover
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 9:53 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

I should have come here First!!! Overwhelming emotional and motivational support. Seriously thank you. Almost scared away by these totally positive uplifting bombs you all have dropped right on us! Oh, I have felt so alone... but let me slow down here.

With Precious safely perched on my soggy bog its time to rip off the bandaids and see whats under there.

THE GOOD...


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For a Northeast Ohio Aircooled Volkswagen that is as good as it could possibly get! Very Happy

At this moment - I go all in.

COMMIT.

I am so stoked about this one.
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SnowDaySyncro wrote:
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools.


Last edited by Buggeee on Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:27 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:01 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

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THE BAD...

Only on a Vanagon can you find total rust-through penetration right smack in the middle of a side panel, with no other serious problems anywhere else on the vehicle.

It's ok. The tape was there for a reason. I'll order the panel, they are in stock everywhere all the time for a reason. You are not alone. Let me get the Gorilla Tape in the meantime (I plan to be camping before this is over).
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(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote:
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools.


Last edited by Buggeee on Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:27 am; edited 1 time in total
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Buggeee
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:12 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

And... Yes, you guessed it...

THE UGLY

Turn Away!!!!


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What we have here is a right front corner panel replacement, bondoed in, rode hard, put away wet, followed by a tree trauma, followed by years of duct-tape tarp.

Yechhhh.

What is not readily apparent, which is actually really good news, is that the branches of the tree must have straddled the windshield lip. Further good luck in the main blow hitting the top of the dashboard, just in front of the instrument cluster. I can live with the dashboard dent for now... can't see it from the drivers seat. Very Happy

and the dent in front of the window on the nose is shallow. (I"ll let you know now that a little smack here and there on the high rim of the depression with a body hammer popped it mostly out).
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72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote:
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools.
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Buggeee
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:21 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Now...

Friends...

Given what you see here...

And the fact that it hadn't been moved for 12 years...

And the tires are rotten...

And the roof leaks...

And the windshield is flat out missing...

What to do first? How to prioritize the very next task? First order of business. Post haste.

Do not pass Go, Do not collect $200... Go straight to...
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72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote:
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:53 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Jump it, make it start, air up tires and drive it around the block.


Duh Rolling Eyes

Laughing
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Buggeee
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:00 am    Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee Reply with quote

Stuartzickefoose wrote:
Jump it, make it start, air up tires and drive it around the block.


Duh Rolling Eyes

Laughing


Winnaaahh!

That's right Peeps, they don't call us Airheads without reason!

Straight to Autozone for a battery Very Happy

Then to the gas station for a red plastic can full of premium gas (only the best for my flock) Wink

Then, without hestitation, and while still rather breathless from the race for a battery and gas... dump it all straight into that old tank and...

BEHOLD THE MIRACLE THAT IS AIRCOOLED


Link


I really am an ass. But I come by it naturally and did you see all that rust getting blown out of the exhaust? LMAO. Twisted Evil

It's alive, if only briefly. More fun to come. Razz
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote:
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