Our '85 fix-up-and-enjoy Vanagon

[DuncanS]

If you slap a steering wheel onto the bug and sit on a milk crate, can you drive it? If the answer is yes, then you have no problem. Work on Freddy when you feel like it and want to use him shortly, and if you're not in that mood, switch to.....................taking your wonderful lady to Tahiti.

When I had bugs in that condition, I could only think of what else I might be able to do body wise. 356???

Duncan

[The Pilch]

[The Pilch]

[The Pilch]

More bodywork on Freddie this Saturday - jeez it was a hot one here in Utah! Progress being made!

Best wishes to you all!
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[The Pilch]

Hi guys, hope you are all doing well.

Here's an update, although it's not the update I ever thought I'd be making.

It's sad and it hurts a lot, but myself and wifey are at a point where we need to go our separate ways. I won't go into specifics but of course it now begs the question of what we do with Freddie - I can't finish him, there's simply not enough time before we have to be out of our house, so I'll have to put him up for sale as-is - driving beautifully and everything (except the AC) working great, just with an unfinished body.

I'd love your guys' input as to what price sticker should I place on Freddie?

Yours sadly. The Pilch.
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[DuncanS]

Pilch--This is the saddest news. You seemed to have everything going. A woman who was super enthusiastic about Freddie and you had made such great progress. I am sure I speak for all who have read your posts and the work you were able to do. Your vision of what Freddie could become was a really good one.

How many dreams we see destroyed during the course of a life. We all sincerely hope you will be OK. I know the pain right now is difficult, but maybe there will still be a great T3 in your future at some other point.

Please keep posting and let us know you are doing at least adequately well. We wish you the best.

Duncan

[mikemtnbike]

I'd ask whatever you paid for it plus 50% of the cost of any parts you've replaced and have receipts for.

The van has not gone down in value. I see the body work done as enhancing value, but others may not.

I don't think you can fairly charge for your time/labor on resale though.

Sorry about the life change, been there, it sucks no matter what the reasons and circumstances are.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[jimf909]

Dang. That's hard. Keep pushing through and there will be good days to follow.

Did you buy this van from the original owner? If so, maybe they want to buy it back.

As far as pricing goes, a forced sale of a project will sell for a discount. If things like the cracked bushings haven't been repaired it will still show deferred maintenance (nice work on the fuel lines).

$3K???

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- Jim

[DuncanS]

3K--no way. A solid running clean tintop, with all you have done, should go for 5 at the minimum. More if the interior is cherry. The paint is a problem. I have no idea, but maybe it's worth painting it all one color even if it's just in prime. Mask and hit it with grey prime from rattle cans and I'll bet you can get at least 4500.

Duncan

[leecat]

That's really sad - you had so much enthusiasm for that little van. Best of luck moving it for a satisfactory amount.

[The Pilch]

Jan 7th 2023.

I'd like to begin with a Happy New Year to you all.

I would very much like to let you guys know that since wifey left, we have become closer. It's been horrible living apart, but the universe works in strange ways. The months ticked by, and the closer we became. We've had some fun times - our Doc and Marty Halloween costumes...

...we had a great Christmas as we hope you all did too, and here's a picture of us today...

She's coming back to me as soon as possible.

And while all this was happening, guess who was sitting patiently in the garage, as the other VW's were all sold on...that's right, Freddie is back!!

So excited to be back here, and for this spring. Hello you guys!!!
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[DuncanS]

Fabulous news. Congrats on the reunion. Good luck on Freddie and keep us posted. In a time of unsettling news, this is uplifting. Go for it. What a great way to start the new year.

Duncan

[ProvoCyclist]

Pilch, I just read through the whole thread in one go, its great to see another Utahn, theres a few of us lurking here. Looks like you’ve done some great work on your van, keep it up!
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Clark
Current: 1986 Tintop GL 2wd, stock 2.1L, manual trans, Flash Silver LP7Y.

Past: 1985 Sunroof GL, 2wd, Subaru 3.3L, manual trans, resprayed to Diamond Silver L97A

[djkeev]

Sorry..... I don't follow the whole story but I guess the bottom line is that you have a restored relationship and a Van waiting for a restoration.

Good to have you back!
Looking forward to updates.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[DuncanS]

[dobryan]

Welcome back to the madness. I am very happy for you and wifey. Sometimes absence does make the heart grow fonder.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[outcaststudios]

thats awesome dude! marry her asap and fix the bus!
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'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2573791

[The Pilch]

Thanks you guys, we are very excited to move forward, both with life and an old VW.

We should have some posts/updates here pretty soon, seem to be working lat a bit too much these days but for now, thanks again and here's a random pic of Freddie yesterday...

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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[Red Ryder]

Welcome back! Hope your story continues its upward trajectory.
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red

[The Pilch]

Thanks Red Ryder....I do too. Updates to come
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.