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Jason0115
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2021
Posts: 97
Location: New Jersey
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 Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 10:54 am Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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| CanStan wrote: |
Keep in mind that even though this is clearly a parts bus, it might still be worth putting a bit of time and money into that engine. It's a gamble, but if you're a gambling man, it could pay off for you. Depending on local values and prices, a non-running engine could be worth $100, but a proven running engine with compression and oil pressure numbers could be worth 10x that. If you're looking to maximize profit, spending some time and money might pay off. Or you might lose.
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I figure since this won't be on the road, I can try and get engine to run and take that gamble. That way as I'm looking for a road worthy bus I'll have this one to learn on so I know what I'm doing when I find the second bus. |
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Jason0115
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2021
Posts: 97
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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| Cap10323 wrote: |
| Strip it for every usable or sellable part, and find a more solid shell. |
That's just what I'm going to do. I got it for 700 I think that was a decent price do you think? Considering it has all interior parts in good shape minus front seats and missing little fabric. Plus I think this is good to learn on |
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Globespotter
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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I agree with almost everyone here except maybe:
| Jrh5r wrote: |
| I’ll try to give you boost of encouragement. Anything is possible with enough money. This gal looks pretty rusty at some critical points, but almost any thing is fixable. Dig deep and save up. Learn how to do bodywork and engine work, that’ll go far. I can’t emphasize enough, plan to spend a lot of money and time. |
Why would you spend twice as much $$ as you have to, plus all the work required? This literally makes no sense, unless it is VERY sentimental (which it sounds like @Jrh5r 's bus may have been.)
I looked at a ton of local (Ontario, Canada) buses and just shook my head at the rust. That's why I bought my Bug in California and my Bus in BC.
I paid $9000 CDN for my bus in 2015. New tires and fuel lines, rebuilt the engine last year - no more than $5000 spent - includes shipping by rail from BC, and the professional engine rebuild. Just appraised at $19,000.
I would have spent WAY more than that for the rust buckets found around here without even touching the engine.
Be patient. Your bus will find you.
_________________
1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980
1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=
http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382 |
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1038
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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| Jason0115 wrote: |
| I feel like my best bet will be another barn find $$ wise. |
I would disagree. 95% of ‘barn finds’ are going to cost more in the long run. Sure, there will always be the exception of a rust free, complete Bus that was parked and stored properly many years ago. But the vast majority were parked for some unknown mechanical reason, have been stripped of who knows what parts, not stored or cared for properly, and will suck your wallet dry as you go through every single system to get it road worthy again.
I would much sooner buy a running, driving Bus that you know has everything and is likely in working order. You can still go through everything at your leisure to learn about them and get a proper maintenance schedule. The time, money, and aggravation of trying to get a non-running, incomplete Bus back on the road isn’t for the faint of heart.
It’s not that I don’t think you can do it. But the odds of people giving up on projects like that are high if you read through a lot of threads around here. No matter how passionate and motivated they start out being.
For whatever my personal opinion matters, if you’re going to spend, say, $8000 fixing up a project, I’d hold off and save up that $8,000 and buy a driver. You’ll be a lot of time and money and headache ahead. |
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Globespotter
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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60vwnewengland
Twin #2
Joined: June 25, 2003
Posts: 1784
Location: District of Columbia & Cape Cod
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 2:47 am Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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| Jason0115 wrote: |
| 60vwnewengland wrote: |
Agree with everyone else, that’s definitely a parts bus. Take out the interior, ask the parents if you can store it in the rafters of their garage or attic. Pull the motor and Transmission and take it apart learn from there.
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Thanks for sharing the pricing for your project. How did you come across the bus on the side of the road? Just luck? |
Yeah, it was good luck. Thread on it here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=735669&highlight=
_________________
77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP |
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Mberglo
Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2020
Posts: 383
Location: Huntsville, AL
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 5:50 am Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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I started with a bus that had almost NO rust. I bought it for $2800. I'm just about finished with the restoration. I've done all my own work except the engine build. I have $16k in it now, and two years of casual work.
Start with a better bus.
My build thread to get an idea of what $16k will build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=742568&highlight= |
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Cap10323
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2016
Posts: 604
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Pricing my bus project help (1975 Westy) rust, engine, etc. |
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| Jason0115 wrote: |
| CanStan wrote: |
Keep in mind that even though this is clearly a parts bus, it might still be worth putting a bit of time and money into that engine. It's a gamble, but if you're a gambling man, it could pay off for you. Depending on local values and prices, a non-running engine could be worth $100, but a proven running engine with compression and oil pressure numbers could be worth 10x that. If you're looking to maximize profit, spending some time and money might pay off. Or you might lose.
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I figure since this won't be on the road, I can try and get engine to run and take that gamble. That way as I'm looking for a road worthy bus I'll have this one to learn on so I know what I'm doing when I find the second bus. |
I think this is a good idea. See if you can get the engine to run, transmission to work, etc. Then you know you at least have a functioning drivetrain.
That way you can look at busses that are rust free, but could have blown engines, bad transmissions etc. Knowing that you already have a drivetrain waiting.
_________________
-Ian
'77 Westfalia - 2.0 F.I |
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