Sportsmobilers Unite! FAQ

[gs2]

Some pics of a Sportsmobile Clubcar that I have not seen listed here yet

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[fried_chicken]

Anyone know how to adjust or fix the mechanism on the top . When mine lifts it leans to one side and is wobbly .

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[TweedLinn]

[alman72]

are you missing a guide on the ceiling of the penthouse? the place where the lift slides in the long U shaped brackets? it controls height, but if missing one, i could see some sideways movement happen.

is it hard to lift, or do the springs still feel like they are doing their job?

[danfromsyr]

the early tops used small (sink drain) chains in the rear going from corner to corner in a [X] pattern to stop the side to side sway.
it is crude and not really effective that's why they upgraded the design to include a crossbar to eliminate/minimize sway.

but replace the chains with small/thin vinyl coated cables. that limit the ability for the top to move to the left or the right.

here you can see the late model top lift mechanism, I bet your's doesn't look like this.

[danfromsyr]

late model tops go all the way to the rear rain gutter in the back

early model tops cut across the roof in the back.

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[fried_chicken]

Mine is the late model version . 71 panel van converted by sportsmobile. Makes sense , the chains are not in an x pattern by any means . I will upgrade those to some cable and give that a try . My tent is trashed , but iam just trying to get things right before I tackle that job somewhere down the line .

[danfromsyr]

here is another image of the newer design..

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[flcollins]

Hey guys. Does anyone know a good source for the side trim (vertical trim) on the jealous windows? PO replaced the side trim (seal?) with some metal trim pieces. Working on restoring the windows this fall.

What I have

What I am trying to achieve

I have picked up all the other trim/seals from https://www.vintagetrailergaskets.com/ and everything seems to be correct, just can't find these vertical pieces.

Thanks for anyone's/everyone's help.

[DougClink]

We have paint!
To round out good ol’ 2021, I managed to finally finish painting my bus. This has been an arduous 5 year journey. But at long last I can begin the final chapters.
Would anyone be able to advise me on bus rubber? German? Brazilian? Who is the most economical? Thanks all.

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1957 Sunroof Beetle • 1964 Beetle • 1958 Westfalia Subhatch • 1955 Baja Bus • 1970 Sportsmobile

[killerbee2003]

Finally got my new sporty top on! Had the tent made by CHC probably more than 6 years ago. Went together really nice.

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The past is history, the future a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why they call it the present!

70 westfalia bus

[flcollins]

[DougClink]

Here are some new pictures. As you can see the guide, plate? bracket? is the same for both sides. Having worked on many motorhomes and other recreational vehicle type projects, I know that corners get cut, and sometimes the workers are not as diligent. This made me believe that perhaps two of the same brackets were installed by mistake, when it should have been one for one side in a different one for the other side. However, after searching through many photos, it does appear that they only made one. Can anyone confirm this?

Note, this is for a 1970 model, with the crossbars on the outside of the tent fabric. I’m guessing that the 68 through 71 had this configuration. After that, the bars moved to the inside of the tent.

In order to get maximum height from my penthouse roof, I will need to move the bracket backward as it is now limiting the bars that hold the top up. Is there a reason why I shouldn’t do this? Will it make it too unstable?

I had considered making a new mirrored image one from scratch.

Please look at the photos and provide feedback, thank you in advance.

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1957 Sunroof Beetle • 1964 Beetle • 1958 Westfalia Subhatch • 1955 Baja Bus • 1970 Sportsmobile

[MaddMatt]

I am loving this thread.

I've had several bay campers, and I've worked on a few sportmobiles. Recently, I acquired a 1966 Sportmobile. It's been really cool seeing how the interiors have evolved.
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Owned: 71 Superbeetle, 72 Superbeetle, 63 Baja (on 69 pan) 74 baja, 74 Karmann Ghia

Own: 71 Deluxe Bus

[seshbus]

Anyone have detailed pictures/directions/materials used to bolt one of these down on their roof? I have 70 bay westy with a sportsmobile top to install but am unsure of the correct way to go about installing. Pictures would be amazing for how people installed. Thank you!

[Buggeee]

Hello everybody, I brought home this 1973 Sportsmobile Penthouse pop top to convert a 1973 transporter to a pop top. I believe this is a later model that takes canvas (correction its vinyl) outside the support rods. Bus Depot sells the canvas tent for it. I have read a lot of posts, a few build threads, and studied some pictures.... but I still have a few basic questions that someone may know the answers to before I take a sawzall to my bus roof.

My own guesstimates from further study are in green

1. Dimensions of the hole.

Front to back is from the middle of post between side windows to immediately above the cargo wall behind the front seat. Side to side is outside edge of headrests on front seats.

2. Location of the hole fore and aft, in relation to a distinguishing feature of the existing vehicle, something like a window seam or a metal support brace across the existing roof.

Front to back is from the middle of post between side windows to immediately above the cargo wall behind the front seat. A further clue is the brochure says it will not interfere with factory overhead air conditioning unit in the front

3. What is used to squeeze the bottom of the canvas (correction its vinyl) skirt to the metal bus roof. Someone suggested wood strips, which I can imagine for the upper part, but is that also at the bottom where it might get wet? I think my Vanagon westy used an aluminum trim if I recall.

From the outside, the bulge really does look like its wood. Um, I mean... Anyway, the tent is made of vinyl so that should be waterproof. Hey now.

4. How does the bed extension attach to the hole securely in place above the hole? I read that it is a loose board. My Vanagon Westy bed extension was on two hinges, for example. What keeps the bed extension from falling down through the roof when you are moving around on it above?

Thank you all!

Here are some "as found" pictures of what a hundred bucks can get you if you are willing to drive some distance. It was a good weekend for the bus!

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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