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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject: Kent's 1959 Westy project |
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First of all, I dont have any photos so I humbly apologize. I have had my eye on a split windshield bus tucked under a tarp under a carport behind a house a few blocks from me for nearly a year. Each time I knocked on the door, no answer, though I would see other cars outside. Sometimes the tarp would have fallen off and you could see that the bus doesnt show any signs of rust. The paint may be original but I'm not sure. It's white over a baby bluish color and quite faded.
Finally persistence paid off and as I went by today I saw someone outside. I rolled down the window and found out it belonged to the landlord. He gave me her # and I promptly called when I got home. I talked to a woman who is likely in her late 30's - early '40s. It's her bus and she is the second owner, purchased from way old couple who bought it new in Germany. It's a '59 camper bus with ice box, seats, table, cushions - everything it came with including the original roll of toilet paper still wrapped. She had a 1600 DP installed for a trip up north, but she kept the original engine. The bus has been sitting for a number of years under the tarp with the idea that one day they'd restore it. However, she says that day may never come because of kids, other projects, demands of being a landlord, life in general, etc. She said they would likey sell it at the right price and asked what kind of money I had in mind.
Honestly, I dont know bus values and to look in the classifieds, they run the gammut. She said she turned down $8K five years ago. All in all, it's a very solid camper bus that needs all the brakes, gas tank, fuel lines - anything susceptible to sitting for 8+ years renewed. Otherwise, it's all original with all its parts. Any ideas on what would be a resonable offer to make? (Not if YOU were the seller ) I'm not trying to rip them off, but of course, I'd like to get a good deal if I can . However, given that I dont know how much one of these in running condition would be worth, I'm not sure where to start, pricewise. BTW, the bus is in central Florida. Thanks
-Kent _________________ -Kent (BaT "daleallen")
OG member of the '67 Posse
A few of my toys, past and present
'56 Oval, '66 KG Conv't, '67 21-Window, '67 Bug, '79 SuperVert, '55 Pre-A Continental
Last edited by 67 Florida Deluxe on Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Mark Henry Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2005 Posts: 251 Location: Port Hope, ON, Canada
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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She said she turned down $8K five years ago. |
So you know she won't just give it away. Look in the classifieds, figure out the high and low price. Then figure out your max and stick with it.
I wouldn't go in with a total low ball offer, as you may get the door slammed in your face. Start at the low samba price and see if you get anywhere.
Good luck
BTW keep its location to yourself.... _________________ '74 914, back on jackstands for a 3.0/6
'67 Bus 2007cc, Berg engine
'67 EMPI GTV bug w/ 102mm Nickies, massIVe bottom end, SDS FI, 2.6L T4 monster in the works |
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12401
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking opinions of value... |
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67 Florida Deluxe wrote: |
First of all, I dont have any photos so I humbly apologize. |
Well, with no photos and not really knowing what kind of camper it is, it is impossible to put a price on it. If it is a really nice '59 SO-23 westy 8K is reasonable. But I don't know, it probably isn't a westy. OTWs are significantly less in value. Are you SURE it is a '59?
Please ask to go back and take a better look at the camper. Bring a digital camera, and take lots of pics. Also keep surfing the classifieds and look for similar buses. Get a pic of the M-code plate (behind the passenger side of front seat), the under side, rockers, floors, jack points, etc. what kind of taillights & turn signals? dash hacked? wheel wells? both bumpers? I doubt anyone who says it is all original and complete. Does it have a pop top or a door in the roof? what kind of upholstery on the camper kit? wood or formica? what kind of side windows and curtain rods? Does it come with a tent? A toilet? pics of them? white over baby blue is not an original color combination. bondo?
A 8 year sitting bus will need a bunch of work to get it into daily driver condition, but if it is straight and rust free and has a nice camper kit, then it could be a good bus.
probably 8K is too much, guessing it is a OTW panel turned camper. _________________ The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/ |
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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djeaudio Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2003 Posts: 349 Location: Puebla Mexico
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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SO-23 is a type of camper kit that was installed on buses
here is a link to some of the characteristics
http://home.comcast.net/~sunrisebus/59westy.html
OTW means Other Than Westy there were alot of companies that did camper conversions but Westies are more sought after therefore more valuable
Last edited by djeaudio on Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12401
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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from the FAQ; how to id a camper: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=99345
OTW is not in the samba dictionary http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/o.php
but OTW means Other Than Westfalia. Westfalia campers tend to be more valuable than OTWs. about 1959 Westfalia started using the SO- designation for the various camper kits. SO means something like special order, and there are SO- numbers for various coachwork options such as the trucks with the cherry picker lifts (like for fixing electrical lines) or hydraulic dump beds. _________________ The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/ |
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djeaudio Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2003 Posts: 349 Location: Puebla Mexico
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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mpribanic Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2004 Posts: 3177 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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Post some pics & good luck acquiring the bus.
If you get it make sure you bring it to Bulli Brigade 14.
click on this link for more info...
www.bullibrigade.org _________________ Call your Cunado's:
https://vimeo.com/67661950 |
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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mpribanic Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2004 Posts: 3177 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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67 Florida Deluxe wrote: |
mpribanic wrote: |
Post some pics & good luck acquiring the bus.
If you get it make sure you bring it to Bulli Brigade 14.
click on this link for more info...
www.bullibrigade.org |
Cool. I'm from St. Pete and still have a house there. I recall seeing a VW display at the Pier a long time ago. It kinda sucks that the date for Bulli Brigade conflicts with Bug Jam. What to do if you have bugs, too |
It does not conflict with Bug Jam.
Sat = Bulli Brigade : Sun = Bug Jam _________________ Call your Cunado's:
https://vimeo.com/67661950 |
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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***UPDATE***
I finally got to meet up with the owner of the camper bus. I will be adding pics, so please let me know what you think. It will be up to you guys to guide me and her to a price since neither of us have much of a clue and dont want to jip each other....
I have lots more pics, so patience please, as I load them...
BTW, it's a 1959 _________________ -Kent (BaT "daleallen")
OG member of the '67 Posse
A few of my toys, past and present
'56 Oval, '66 KG Conv't, '67 21-Window, '67 Bug, '79 SuperVert, '55 Pre-A Continental
Last edited by 67 Florida Deluxe on Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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67 Florida Deluxe Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005 Posts: 7987 Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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There's an interesting hatch in the roof with a prop. You can prop it open at different gaps. It has wood veneer like the ceiling and walls.
The underside doesnt show any rust through
There is also a really cool refrigerator (well, more of a cooler that looks like a fridge inside). It's in one of the oval doors in the rear cabinet area. You put ice in the upper bin and it keeps stuff cool
It has two mounts in the roof for a canopy. The canopy is rolled up in a bag, but the material is the same big box pattern as the seat cushions. It makes like a "porch" awning over the double door area. Kinda cool
Let me also reiterate, it hasnt run since '96 and has a 1600 cc engine and 12 v generator. _________________ -Kent (BaT "daleallen")
OG member of the '67 Posse
A few of my toys, past and present
'56 Oval, '66 KG Conv't, '67 21-Window, '67 Bug, '79 SuperVert, '55 Pre-A Continental |
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spookymulder Samba Proletariat
Joined: January 02, 2004 Posts: 3298 Location: I'm either at 95608, 97537 or 94708 only my CPA knows for sure
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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With the tent, chemical toilet, etc, if she put it on the Samba or Ebay she'd probably do around 15K. If tents are selling for near 2K and chem toilets at least half that much, the bus as solid as it looks should be worth 12K without the ancillaries, so there you have it! |
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