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BIG_TEXAS_PETE
Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2006
Posts: 196
Location: England
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 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2025 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| EasyNow wrote: |
| So anyone that can help here with what kind of finish was originally used for the beechwood slats? |
I think originally it was some sort of hard varnish.
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2025 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| So anyone that can help here with what kind of finish was originally used for the beechwood slats? |
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BIG_TEXAS_PETE
Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2006
Posts: 196
Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2025 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| EasyNow wrote: |
| Yes. They were stripped down to steel as quite a bit of rust had to be removed. But then I had access to zinc plating, so I went in that direction. |
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2025 8:08 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| Yes. They were stripped down to steel as quite a bit of rust had to be removed. But then I had access to zinc plating, so I went in that direction. |
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BIG_TEXAS_PETE
Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2006
Posts: 196
Location: England
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2025 11:47 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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Whoa… I must admit that might just make complete sense. Wild!
Thanks BarryL!
Anyone have thoughs about the most original treatment for the wood slats? |
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BarryL 
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15491
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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They do not go all the way through and are just on the outside facing of both left and right ends on the same support rail. Have not seen this on any rack pics posted in this thread. A little confused here...
One last question - while I have milled the European Beechwood to .6" x 1.5”, I would like to understand how they are finished. Seen many with some type of polyurethane or marine varnish, and maybe some with oil (tung or linseed?).
So what treatment were the original Westy Racks finished with? |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15491
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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Those holes aren't Westfalia. Do they go all the way through the other side of the bend?
Maybe CB Antenna? |
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| EasyNow wrote: |
Better late than never? So I just pulled my westy rack down from the garage rafters after 40 years idle and hoping to confirm what 16 pages of posts might have told me... Best I can tell is a late 62?
Measurements:
~52.5 in across the wooden slats.
~10.5 in in height to the bottom support rail.
Only one tag.
Singular wood screw attachment.
Corner supports.
6 large 65-67 style clamps (although one had been chromed)
Looking for a little confirmation here... Am I close?
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So I think we determined that this rack is a late 62...
And now my next question: Anyone know what the three holes on each side of the end rail are for? And do these orient to the front or the rear of the bus?
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broozebrothers
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2008
Posts: 303
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| nathan3 wrote: |
| BarryL wrote: |
| nathan3 wrote: |
Hi all,
Anyone own a '61/early '62 rack? I need measurements of a bow.. I found a stash of early bows, but they are all different sizes.. |
What are you needing? |
I need measurements of a '61/early '62 rack bow. Non sloper so the bows should be the same size im assuming. |
I have one .. the early 62 rack uses 3 of the small Sloper rack bows . So just get a measurement of the small Sloper bow and you got it |
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broozebrothers
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2008
Posts: 303
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| BarryL wrote: |
It looks like mine and mine is '62. Same measurements.
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This is a Late 62 rack .. early model 62 racks were flat with 3 small Sloper bows and 61 style small ribbed clamps . |
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broozebrothers
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2008
Posts: 303
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| EasyNow wrote: |
Next question... Were the original wood screws flathead or oval head?
And were they zinc plated brass as well? |
The are flat head Domed steel screws |
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easy e
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 3942
Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| EasyNow wrote: |
Next question... Were the original wood screws flathead or oval head?
And were they zinc plated brass as well? |
I believe they were all chromed steel, slotted oval.
See the parts diagram at the bottom of this post. See item #12. Use the VW number or stated DIN specs. But keep in mind… it’s 1967 info. & may not be appropriate for ‘62.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7962884#7962884
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Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
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campingbox
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10264
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 7:58 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| EasyNow wrote: |
Next question... Were the original wood screws flathead or oval head?
And were they zinc plated brass as well? |
It may vary by year, but I think all the early ones ('64 and back) are oval pan. They are steel. |
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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Next question... Were the original wood screws flathead or oval head?
And were they zinc plated brass as well? |
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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| Thanks BarryL... |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15491
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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It looks like mine and mine is '62. Same measurements.
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EasyNow
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2020
Posts: 109
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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Better late than never? So I just pulled my westy rack down from the garage rafters after 40 years idle and hoping to confirm what 16 pages of posts might have told me... Best I can tell is a late 62?
Measurements:
~52.5 in across the wooden slats.
~10.5 in in height to the bottom support rail.
Only one tag.
Singular wood screw attachment.
Corner supports.
6 large 65-67 style clamps (although one had been chromed)
Looking for a little confirmation here... Am I close?
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crofty
Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000
Posts: 19920
Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Westy rack differences |
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Anyone have a source for the wood screws for a Westy Rack? Preferable Stateside.
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