1959 Double Door Panel - Budget Refresh

[Big_E_Deluxe]

[Big_E_Deluxe]

Finished up most of the "To Do List" and finally got Hans lubed up and on the road for a test drive. Every part of this bus needed mechanical attention, neglected for too long. Still adjusting brakes, but running & shifting good. Bus feels solid with very few rattles (new door seals did the trick).

Turn signal is last thing to figure out on electrical. Not working at the moment, but indicator bulb in speedo stays on. All new wiring, blinker relay and turn signal switch. I think that I may have a couple wires from switch crossed. Also, horn was working, but no longer is, need to investigate that. Brake lights, running & city lights, headlights, and both dome lights working great.

Future work will be to get the body back in shape. It needs some of the usual panels replaced, but overall it's pretty solid for a '59. Already have most of the replacement panels in hand. Cargo door hinges need some love, and front doors need to be adjusted. Waiting on a roof rack to be completed and a few other little things. But for now, it works!

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Erik

1958 VW Beetle - "Max": https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
1959 VW Bus - "Hans" - Double Door Panel (sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746927
2014 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S

[Eric&Barb]

You might want to look for a H30-PIC carb. Those have the bigger throat for 1500 or bigger engine, but have the manual choke to work with your choke cable.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[thirtyseven]

What a nice bus! You did really well with this refresh, the slightly buffed grey paint with black wheels & bumpers look completely appropriate.
So far, how the engine is doing with the tall tires and trans you have? Do you feel it has enough steam to pull in 4th?
I recently put mine in relatively stock status, along with a 30Pict1 / 205M dist, and it's struggling a bit to maintain speed on grades or headwinds. Running 7.00-15 in the back though, will swap with 6.70-15 soon as it is most likely part of the problem.
Enjoy your ride!

[1970PAKombi]

This thing is beautiful, well done. I love it.

[Big_E_Deluxe]

[Big_E_Deluxe]

Did a small project on Hans over the weekend. I added a wood "palette" floor to the cargo area. The floor is built with 1" x 4" clear pine and has a low profile. Floor is floating, no screws into factory floor. Along with the floor I was able to add some anchor points to secure cargo. I had a factory style rubber mat, but didn't like that it only covered a portion of the floor.

Future "to do list" in cargo area: A full set of Clara panels, simliar wood floor over engine area, a simple storage shelf at sloped floor to hold smaller items like a tool box, gas can, etc. from sliding around.

Goal is to keep it functional, and still looking like an old delivery van.
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Erik

1958 VW Beetle - "Max": https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
1959 VW Bus - "Hans" - Double Door Panel (sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746927
2014 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S

[zuggbug]

very nice
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SOUTHERN INTEGRITY AIRCOOLERS
58 15 window
56 westy

[Two Glove Boxes]

Yo the floors look really cool but I cant stop looking at the eye candy on top of it!
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1951 Split Standard Hoffman Build

1960 Dove Blue Double Cab Patina Build

Two Glove Boxes

DLK

[Blue Baron]

I can't help but keep thinking ...

Some tasteful vintage logos on the cab doors ...

But I'm a logomaniac.
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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[Big_E_Deluxe]

[Big_E_Deluxe]

For the last 10+ months I've been working on a custom roof rack made for Hans. Not an exact replica, but something that could have been.

Concept is based on a BeKoWa roof rack option available in the late 50's to early 60's (?). Since the HWE and BeKoWa racks share a similar design, we gave it a shot. A parts catalog listing wood slat option....

My brother David in Sothern California recently found a BeKoWa full length rack with this option. It was hanging in a garage for many years and survived. Here is a couple pictures of his rack, with original paint and wood! Hardware and mounting design was replicated from his rack.

The custom replica HWE style roof rack was built by Drew Ross of North Carolina. Replica hardware and straps were built by David Koralewski of Sothern California. Special cut Ash wood slats were done by Ken Hippensteel of Georgia. Silver paint used is Wolfsburg West's L91. Here are a couple shots of it finished, I will get more shots once it's mounted up.

Length is custom and follows body lines of bus and stacks over cargo area of panel van only. Here is a test fit shot before wood slat install....

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Erik

1958 VW Beetle - "Max": https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
1959 VW Bus - "Hans" - Double Door Panel (sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746927
2014 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S

[thirtyseven]

Very nicely done, the ash looks really good with the silver paint! I guess it's longer than a 3/4 length - shorter than a full-length rack?

[Long-roofs]

I assume your brother got this one?

I have only seen 2 of these full length with wood strips. Other one we bought out of Seattle area from Split Window Jim, he said it came off a Barndoor in Canada....we got it in '96, I think Jim had it a long time.
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I have been on a treadmill drinking vodka, maybe more than once.

"No, I do not own a bleepin' leaf blower"

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[Big_E_Deluxe]

[Big_E_Deluxe]

[Big_E_Deluxe]

Hans attended CTS 18 with his new rack. Perfect day for a drive, nice people and some great buses!

Tried to have my safari's installed for the CTS show but missed it by a week. Finally installed with reproduction pivots. Wolfgang safari's with grey powder coated frames, Buttys Bits safari window seals (highly recommend) & Mark Rafferty's safari brackets (quality!).

I had to modify the reproduction pivots so they would disengage properly. There was too much play in the vertical stack of parts that would not allow it to release. Also, they were so tight and one wouldn't even rotate. I took them apart completely and realigned the shafts so they would rotate easily. Next, I added a nylon washer (red arrow) that kept everything in place vertically, allowed the pivot to release properly. They work great every time now.

My starter crapped out the other day, ordered a Hi-Torque IMI starter as a replacement. Installed and solved problem. Really nice starter, have one on my beetle as well.

Next big project.... Cargo panels from Clara. Hoping they will arrive soon.
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Erik

1958 VW Beetle - "Max": https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
1959 VW Bus - "Hans" - Double Door Panel (sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746927
2014 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S

[Two Glove Boxes]

Very cool and the rack is killer!
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1951 Split Standard Hoffman Build

1960 Dove Blue Double Cab Patina Build

Two Glove Boxes

DLK

[Big_E_Deluxe]

Started adding rear cargo panels by Clara, to Hans last week. Very easy to install with pre-marked mounting holes. Much easier or faster than front cab panel install. Fit is excellent, just like front cab panels. Bulkhead and rear corner panels not installed yet, just cargo doors. Already making a big difference in how the bus sounds and feels. Doors feel heavy and solid.

Panels are well worth the price and wait time. They are packed with care (each panel is wrapped in a custom made cloth bag), edges protected with foam & overall wrapped in shrink wrap. All placed in a custom shaped HD shipping box. No damage during coast to coast shipping. Packaging shows that Clara takes pride in what she makes. If you need panels, don't hesitate! Best deal out there with big visual impact, imo!

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Erik

1958 VW Beetle - "Max": https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
1959 VW Bus - "Hans" - Double Door Panel (sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746927
2014 Porsche 991.1 Carrera S

[oakman]