Should I buy this 57/58 Bus in Alaska?

[rpattee]

See you in a couple months Greg, looking forward to it!

Yes, the pin fell out. That pump has been repaired and it's now the spare.

[my3bugs]

so did the fuel pump BREAK ? or did that pin just work itself to fall out ? i have a pump here that someone sorta re peen'd that pin back into place .

[campingbox]

Safe travels Richard and Nick!

[rpattee]

I recently did a 650 mile drive from New Hampshire to Virgina. This is the first leg of my planned trip to BBB 2026. Other than the fuel pump failing in Gettysburg the bus drove flawlessly. I'm really impressed with the rebuild Nick did on this 36hp engine. It's so smooth, will do 65 on flat ground all day long and I got 25 mph the whole trip.

The speedo is about 3mph fast.

I had a spare fuel pump but didn't have a socket set which was needed to remove and reinstall the pump. Within an hour of breaking down two locals came out with everything I needed and I was back on the road about an hour later. I can't thank Steven and his friend enough. The VW community is awesome!

The bus chillin at Nick's place until January when we start the drive to Arizona. Stay tuned!

[rpattee]

Not going to happen Nick but here's a recent pic of the bus in Ohio.

[Touch Nicks Thing]

[rpattee]

Oh Man! What happened? Yes, I bought the 57 from McCarthy, Alaska back! I few years ago Nick sold it to Mike in Ohio and when Mike decided he needed space he contacted me and asked if I might want it back. I thought about it for a few hours and decided, why not?

So, after flying into Columbus, Ohio I was reunited with the old girl. Did a quick inspection and a little maintenance and the next day we headed off toward Charlotte and the 20th annual CTS. Had a great time and everyone on this side of the country made me feel right at home.

I later drove to New Hampshire where I'll be keeping the bus at a friend's and using it whenever I get the chance. I think I'd like to drive it back to Alaska someday but that won't be anytime soon. Total distance covered was a little over 1,500 miles. No issues other than a oil pressure switch that went bad. Luckily, my new friend, Lance, had a spare and got me back on the road in a few minutes. And one more thing...36hp engine uses a longer dipstick. If you use one out of a later engine you'll overfill it and make a big mess!

[vw7266]

Great to see it running on its original drivetrain! Road warrior too!

[Touch Nicks Thing]

Never really gave an update here. Finished the engine the weekend before Bulli, got a couple hundred miles on it before Florida and it was great. Only minor issue was re-jetting once it got to Florida and the temps started rising.

Very rewarding to drive the bus with all its original running gear back in place!

Still some little things to clean up, but, need to get my camper sorted first.

[zuggbug]

woohoo
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SOUTHERN INTEGRITY AIRCOOLERS
58 15 window
56 westy

[rpattee]

That’s fantastic Nick. Glad the original case is usable. So cool having all the original running gear in the bus and driving it. Well done.

[Touch Nicks Thing]

The fellas at Lufteknic in Richmond, VA getting the original block for the '57 all dialed in. Major thanks to Robert, Senior and Dick, what a bunch!

The case came in a box in with the bus when I bought it, sent to Rimco to get machined and these handsome gents are blessing it for a few thousand more miles of pleasure!

Hoping to have this done for Bulli Brigade to drive down there on the original running gear!

[Touch Nicks Thing]

So original tranny came back from Rancho in say April, what a fucking gem. Already has a trip to CTS under its belt.

I have been driving the bus around a fair bit, can't really find any photos of it though...

[brokevwguy]

Oh ok. Thanks. Must be those are hard to find and buy. Thanks for the info.
_________________
Be happy with what you have, you will save allot of money that way....

1961 Standard

[mandraks]

the name comes from the fact that they were built in the old factory in wolfsburg, just like the barndoor buses.

there are a TON of small and not so small differences between wolfsburg buses (post barndoor) and the later buses built in the new factory.
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[brokevwguy]

Nice looking bus. That is in good shape for sitting that long. Earlier in this post it said its a standard not a kombi and then someone mentioned a wolfsburg bus. What is the difference. I never heard of a wolfsburg bus. Is a wolfsburg worth more or something. Just curious and would like to be able to tell the difference.
_________________
Be happy with what you have, you will save allot of money that way....

1961 Standard

[rpattee]

Nice pics! Glad the case is usable. So cool having the original engine and transaxle.

[Okie Adam]

These pics are inspirational!
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Oil Capital Air Cooled
55 Wolfsburg Kombi
60 Walkthrough Kombi
62 Single Cab
66 21window
67 so42
76 Westy
64 Karmann Ghia

[Touch Nicks Thing]

Couple random photos from the trip Richie just sent me.


The original 36 horse to the bus (case came in a cardboard box from Richard) was just received by Rimco and is in good shape to be rebuilt!! Good news there!

Original tranny is enroute to Rancho.

Should be cool to have all the original pieces rebuilt and back in the bus.


WTB- Standard crank, .020 case bearings

[Justin]

Not sure if I'm happy for you or if I kind of hate you for the great find.

The bus looks fantastic! Congrats.