My quest for a 23-window – question

[teahead]

What's your budget?

This 21 don't seem too bad:



https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2418155
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'63 German Walk-Thru Deluxe 15-window - SOLD

[aa390392]

[markeaton]

ImAddicted... I live about 15 miles from where you are describing... and yes, a time machine would be great... being a teen in the 70's, there were so many buses that were around... but my focus then were vw dune buggys

[ImAddicted]

[Douglas Denlinger]

Check your PM
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Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus

Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986

[NUTSFORBUSES]

Grumpy's parts are First rate stuff, that said, the cost for parts are one thing. Assembly is another. Will you use OG skylights? cost 400 vs 1500 (I have a set of 8 nearly new cond. in green) Canvas vs Vinyl<not much diff. roof rails and mechanicals > $1800. skylight seals $200 German. Then you have all the interior headliner & headliner for ragtop upholstery. What is left is metal roof cost and welding and it looks like you expect to paint. Big expense after buying a Bus.

I think you will increase the value, but you may end-up putting much more into then getting out if you sell.
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kaiser kills kids.com

[markeaton]

As I mentioned, I have really enjoyed the bus restoration project. In my experience, I found it MUCH easier to work on than a beetle.

I just thought a full resto on a genuine 23 would be a blast and feed my new found bus addiction

But maybe a 21-window conversion might be the compromise.

Thanks again to all for replies. Very helpful and eye opening.

[Patiently Impatient]

[markeaton]

Thanks Lind !!!

[Lind]

[markeaton]

Reading thru all the comments... suppose I did decide to use Grumpy's metal roof/window parts to make my 13-window to a 21-window.

Does that do anything to the value of the bus I have? I know a lot of VW "purists" would probably not want to pay a fair market value if I ever sold it since it was altered.

[markeaton]

Just wrapped it up last week.

[markeaton]

Thank you all for the feedback. Very good food for thought.

I currently just wrapped up a full restore for a 1967 13-window. That was my first bus (I've have two other beetles I worked on for restore). But I have the "bus bug".

I realize that it might never happen (getting a 23-window), but living in NH, I have this dream of riding thru the back roads of New England and stumbling upon that rare find in a barn.... and then I woke up

[sub-hatchtim]

Lind knows things

Listen to Lind
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58' pg/sg silo fridge westy
58 Dove blue singlecab
76 911S

[Erik G]

[Lind]

If you want to own an original 23 window, don't go shopping with less than $100k. A cheap original 23 window will cost you more in the end and not be as nice of a bus.

If you can be happy with a clone, then you can save maybe $25k-$50k off the total costs of the bus.

A cheap bus is not good, and a good bus is not cheap.
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Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
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[NUTSFORBUSES]

[mandraks]

it seems to me that you would be better off buying a "standard" in good condition, and converting it, extra windows are easy, grumpy's will put in a correct sunroof and skylight windows, and belly pans. All you need now is a complete interior, new deluxe trim, and so on.

Your welder friends are going to still be plenty helpful doing rust repair, welding in the extra side windows, rear corners with windows, etc, belly pans, you name it.
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regards

Uli

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

[NUTSFORBUSES]

I've had buses for over 40 years, unless you are familiar w them I would not go there. The costs will really hit you down the road. I now have a 21 and even in good shape it is still a challenge-time-money-time-money.

Knowing the cost of just the differences like skylights and roof, headliner, belly pans and all those mechanicals that go with it.

Rust buckets are still expensive and you will be completely rebuilding it.
If you are sourcing it to an accurate restore it will cost an arm and a leg.

My 21 is a street machine I drive as much as I can, but accuracy is not my goal-180 HP 4 wheel disc's IRS and on and on it goes.
Fun is my goal,, my friend had a PERFECT 23-he was afraid to drive it-it did sell for 220k and his O2 levels rose to normal. Good luck in your quest. If you're married, get a divorce now before you start. One thing I must point out is an 11 13 21 or 23 have the same feel except for a lot more wind/noise with a ragtop, and a shit load of windex.
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kaiser kills kids.com

[markeaton]

I actually just discovered them a few weeks ago looking at metal spare parts.

But, it's the old original one I want

Although I can see buying some things from them and WW as part of the restoration.