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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 12:50 pm Post subject: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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It's been summer, and I spend much of my time in a hermetically sealed gerbil cage staring out the sealed window wondering what the flowers smell like.
So when I am released for a few hours here or there, its time for activity. Physical activity. Outside. In the sun, or rain. Not on the keyboard further deteriorating my inflexible aging eyes on yet more screen time.
But... there comes a time.
Build thread. Where to begin? Where all good build threads begin. The origin. The "as found."
I have a problem by the way. Not that any of you would understand, but I will share nonetheless.
When I was a child (cue Pink Floyd please), I had a fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye. Of paint guns, stacked tool boxes, air compressor power tools, sandblasting tanks and welders.
A hermetically sealed gerbil cage was not part of it.
Anyway, Tuesdays were the day. The new issue of Trading Times would hit the shelves at the local grocery. My fingers would be black with ink before dinner. And... many hapless souls would have already suffered the dreaded phone call from a teen with no money asking endless questions about their newly listed mini-bike... go-cart... dirt bike... and... eventually... when the driver's license was within a two year distance... Volkswagens.
My parents did what I would do now. Surrendered their garage, parked their cars out in the driveway and at least they knew where their minion was at any time of day or night.
Ok, so nowadays as I fade into sunset it does not have to be On Any Given Tuesday. It is everyday. And its called Craigslist. I don't count sheep. I count the number of listings under VW.
I know I'm alone in that.
So one lunch, refreshing the screen on my phone while perusing VW listings, this ad pops up. Never saw it before. No one has ever seen it before. Its just popped up right now. Live action. Two Vanagons nose to nose and all you can see is the front doors to the front bumpers. One has a tree smashed in its windshield. It's a Westy. "Vanagons for sale"
That's it. "Vanagons for sale". No price. No year. No info. Just a freakin' foreplay tease shot of two Vanagons nose to nose. And the smashed one is a Westy. This is going down the rabbit hole for sure.
I did what I had to do. I commanded my trembling hand to stop shaking and made the call.
He answered right away, a bit stunned. "I just put that ad up." I know. It's going to be ok now. What do you want for the Vanagons.
Looooooong pause. "um". Looooonger pause. "2,500" Loooooonger Looong pause. "Each. Yes. $2,500, but for each."
Oh my goodness this poor soul has accidentally listed his Vanagons and hasn't even decided why.
I will be right over. Immediately. Swung through the bank for cash and was there within 20 minutes of the posting. By the time I got there three more people had called. Freakin' flippers. Hate those dudes!
Had the phone out as there was no doubt about the fact that this was being rescued by someone who would use the hell out of it, and I was going to need some "as found shots."
Well peeps. Here they are as I walked around waiting for the dude to come out.
_________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
Last edited by Buggeee on Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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The dude emerged and he was, as expected, one of us. Mellow, good-natured, everything right with being a human being. And, he explained, he hadn't actually decided for sure that the passenger van would be sold as that had been his daily driver, back in the day when it was his daily driver. "Understand what I mean?" I did, truly. And, I let him know that was a-ok and I could make do with the camper as, it turns out, we really like to camp.
Fast forward through some camping stories and it turns out this was parked maybe 6 years ago (the expired tags say it hasn't moved for more than 12 years) when he had some gas spill at the gas station and its going to need some gas tank seals, which he as been meaning to get to. Yep. I do know what he means.
Then last year this tree dropped a huge limb on the nose, shattering the windshield, so its been tarped until he can get to that. We looked up and, sho-nuf, there's a huuuuuuge tree with a missing limb that must have been about as big around as a tree in itself, and a couple more looking like they want to drop in the next wind.
He has accepted that its beyond what can be accomplished now. The hand of God has stepped in. Man that has gotta hurt. I hate those moments in my own growth, and I wish them on no one.
Let's look inside.
So while we are poking around, and just before I start babbling about how I'm gonna do dis, and I'm gonna do dat...
He shares that this is not the first time the Westy has been listed. It went up for about two hours about a year ago after the tree hit. A young couple came right over. They were so excited. They were gonna do dis. They were gonna do dat. They were gonna travel the country in their resurrected Vanagon.
He made them leave. He took the ad down. Hearing them talk had re-ignited his plans for his Precious.
I had planned for this. A flat bed tow truck was already en-route thanks to Google voice command helping me during my drive over there.
I said nothing about anything. I let him know it was going to a good home. I understood his situation and would not bargain with him. I would simply pay his asking price. Ink hit paper. Green changed hands.
As the flatbed sat waiting to winch Westy up on its rotted out tires. The good man stood there with his hand on the nose -quietly letting go. It is time. It is truly time.
I promised to send pictures. (And I have been).
Outta there with not a moment to spare.
Now... sit right here my Precious. It's been a long winter for you. We'll make everything right again.
_________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32632 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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jasonpap2002 Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2012 Posts: 129 Location: Austin, Texas
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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I'm in!!! Great opening, this is going to be fun ride. You, sir, can write.
Congratulations on the new ride. Photos are excellent, I can smell the interior from here (not a bad smell, the "hasn't been used" smell). Looks clean.
Cheers,
~Jason |
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Marshj Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017 Posts: 268 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Fanscinated and tuned in. I also love your writing. |
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Eric_Taylor Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2011 Posts: 291 Location: Bend, Oregon
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Agreed with the above! I really hope that the paint comes out with a shine for the ultimate contrast. This would be a fun way to make a van your own, especially at that starting price. |
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vwhammer Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2006 Posts: 998 Location: Boulder CO.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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you say werds good |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:44 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Why do people hate your air cooled? |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:04 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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I love the way you actual the factuals... subscribed _________________ .ssS! |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6572 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:29 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Add me to the readers, Tremendous OP! 👍🏼
Do you have enough wax? _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:14 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Subscribed. This one's going to be fun to watch (and read!)
_________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3582 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:15 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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NOT COOL, you took the Tree's Vanagon from it... It's obvious that it fell in love with the Westy, and dreamed of a lifetime together. The tree gave it 'free' branches, free moss, shade in the Summer Sun... You took all that away...
DREAM WRECKER.....
Okay serious time.... The Moss alone would have made me hesitant in taking the plunge on a Vanagon like this, but more power to you...
Can't wait to see how rough the nose is from that 'loving tree' dropping a large branch on the poor van. _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:45 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Prose from Dover _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 9:53 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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I should have come here First!!! Overwhelming emotional and motivational support. Seriously thank you. Almost scared away by these totally positive uplifting bombs you all have dropped right on us! Oh, I have felt so alone... but let me slow down here.
With Precious safely perched on my soggy bog its time to rip off the bandaids and see whats under there.
THE GOOD...
For a Northeast Ohio Aircooled Volkswagen that is as good as it could possibly get!
At this moment - I go all in.
COMMIT.
I am so stoked about this one. _________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
Last edited by Buggeee on Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:01 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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THE BAD...
Only on a Vanagon can you find total rust-through penetration right smack in the middle of a side panel, with no other serious problems anywhere else on the vehicle.
It's ok. The tape was there for a reason. I'll order the panel, they are in stock everywhere all the time for a reason. You are not alone. Let me get the Gorilla Tape in the meantime (I plan to be camping before this is over). _________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
Last edited by Buggeee on Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:12 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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And... Yes, you guessed it...
THE UGLY
Turn Away!!!!
What we have here is a right front corner panel replacement, bondoed in, rode hard, put away wet, followed by a tree trauma, followed by years of duct-tape tarp.
Yechhhh.
What is not readily apparent, which is actually really good news, is that the branches of the tree must have straddled the windshield lip. Further good luck in the main blow hitting the top of the dashboard, just in front of the instrument cluster. I can live with the dashboard dent for now... can't see it from the drivers seat.
and the dent in front of the window on the nose is shallow. (I"ll let you know now that a little smack here and there on the high rim of the depression with a body hammer popped it mostly out). _________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:53 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Jump it, make it start, air up tires and drive it around the block.
Duh
_________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4421 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:00 am Post subject: Re: My Aircooled Vanagon: Hated by All, Loved by Buggeee |
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Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
Jump it, make it start, air up tires and drive it around the block.
Duh
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Winnaaahh!
That's right Peeps, they don't call us Airheads without reason!
Straight to Autozone for a battery
Then to the gas station for a red plastic can full of premium gas (only the best for my flock)
Then, without hestitation, and while still rather breathless from the race for a battery and gas... dump it all straight into that old tank and...
BEHOLD THE MIRACLE THAT IS AIRCOOLED
Link
I really am an ass. But I come by it naturally and did you see all that rust getting blown out of the exhaust? LMAO.
It's alive, if only briefly. More fun to come. _________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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