The Mean Tangerine, Rolling scrap yard to DD

[mackmix]

Well here’s my story,
I hadn’t looked for a bus on the samba for a good 6-8 months and for some reason one day a few weeks ago I did. I had not been looking cause we were strapped for cash and if I even mentioned to my wife again that I wanted one well I’m sure you can understand the situation. Anyhow I looked and there was a 71 westy on that had been posted only 5 minuets earlier and it was just 2 miles from my work. I should mention that it was listed at $750.00 and had been hit in the driver’s door and corner of her nose, a beater with a good motor just what I needed. Well I called the guy and went over to see it. She looked pretty rough where she was hit but otherwise very straight and little rust. He had another door but it would need some work to the front corner to get it to hang straight. He said it was rebuilt with 5k on the new motor. We had to jump her to get her going but when she started she purred. She leaked oil around the screen area and he told me that the flange may be nicked or too much rtv was used. I drove around a bit and she went pretty well, shifted smooth and much quieter than I remember my 71 transporter in high school 125 years ago. I decided I wanted her the problem was to convince my wife. As I mentioned we were and still are strapped for cash. I was thinking of how I could make this work out for everyone. I had recently got a 10’6” Harbour San O model surfboard that did not perform exactly how I expected it to. It was a great board but oddly for its size a little hp for my liking. I had it on my 4runner the day I went to make the deal on the bus. I told him about my situation and that I was interested but would need to sell the board to fund the purchase. Well I could see the wheels a turning, he also was a surfer and wanted to have a look at the Harbour. He said well why don’t I just trade you the board for the bus? I thought that was a fantastic idea and the deal was done. I had the 71 westy I’d been wanting and he had a sweet classic surfboard just in time for summer. I still had to convince the wife it was a good deal if you can believe it. I had to make a deal with her that I wouldn’t spend any money on it. If I wanted to fix it up I had to use existing materials on it. I do have a lot of existing materials I can use to redo the interior and I know deep down she’s as stoked as I am about it. Well there it is, I’ll be asking a lot of questions as I will be doing all the work myself. Have a look at the pictures and movie, any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Glen
P.S. I know the 1st thing is I need to relocate the fuel filter and get the hoses back on the fan shroud, been reading a lot about the importance of these.

Link

_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[mackmix]

One thing that is bugging me is the Z bed came from a later bus. I cant figure out how it works, even when it is out of the bus! any suggestions?
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[camit34]

Looks like a good start for a project...

The holes in the floor are for the fridge to drain the water from the ice melting and just general venting.

Good luck with her...
_________________
In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD)
1965 Bug (SOLD)

[mackmix]

I didn't know there were two, Thanks!
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[Fryedaddy]

Nice Nice. Oh boy do I remember those days ......
I can't wait to get up and running again. Peace
_________________
"Gus" the bus
1970 Sportmobile penthouse. 1600dp. Solex 34pict3 009<for now.
Pics in Gallery.

[mackmix]

I Hope you get what Gus is worth!
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[BigBlueVW.blogspot.com]

Does someone know if the kick panels are the same on a '71 as a '68?

If so, I have a set that is pretty beat up that I'll send you for free (I threw them in the trash only to pull them back out for someone who may need them). You can use them as templates, cut some wood, and make that inside front look better. That might help with the wife.

If you are interested, send me your address in a PM and I'll get them out to you...
_________________
'56 Bug - no name yet
'63 Bug "Little Blue"
'68 Bus "Big Blue"

Find bus camping friends at http://VWCamperFamily.com/

A west coast VW bus camping adventure at: http://bigbluevw.com/

Interested in VW buses and have a Facebook account? Check out Big Blue's Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/bigbluevw

[barefootwestie]

[mackmix]

Well it feels like 125 years ago.
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[mackmix]

How bad is that rust behind the drivers side front tire? There is a small spot that goes clean through to the back of the seat. Thanks
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[dissdigg]

[Kirwin]

Looks like a great project. I wish it was a later model, then I could help out with parts. Have fun!
_________________
1978 VW Transporter (DLNDBUS)

[mackmix]

Thanks so much!
I think more than anything I'm worried about that oil leak. it is not by the screen it is to the left of it and up higher. I hope it is nothing serious.
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[sofakingcool]

Too bad your in cali my man... would give you my rubber cargo mat. You can have it if you wanna pay shipping but dont think thats worth it too you. Very happy for you. Welcome back to the cult. Hard to get away.

[mackmix]

Cheers SofaKingC@@L!
I've got leftover Pergo from the house I'm gonna' use.
Glad 2 B back!
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[Malokin Martin]

With a bus like that, you can do whatever the heck you want with it and not worry about ruining the originality (roller paint, panels, drilling holes). The whole bare bones deal will be a fun project! Great barter story.

[mackmix]

I am a little concerned as I just looked up the numbers on my engine AH052929 and found here:
[url] http://marksbugbarn.com/shop/identify.php [/url]
the closest I could find is a 1974 ghia motor. Is this right?

Karmann Ghia (Type 1) Model Information Model Year Production Date Model Engine CC Engine Code Chassis #s
1974 Aug 1973 - Jul 1974 A/T. 1600 AH0 114 419 to AH0 500 000 114 2000 001 to 114 2999 000

The bay window section showed no AHO numbers.

I was getting scared reading all the stories about the GEX motors and trying to find out if I have one. The fuel pump says made in Brazil but everything else so far looks German. The cases look to be painted silver is that indicative of GEX?
Thanks.
P.S. My wife was made in Brazil and she runs fine!
_________________
1971 Westy (The Mean Tangerine)
1969 Lambretta GP 200
Lambretta Race Bike #14 RIP
Find yourself!

[tubdub]

pm me your mailing address and i will send you 1 outer front door handle as i see 1 of yours is missing the part where the key goes in. what other small parts are missing? inner window handles? oil leak might be from the pushrod tubes or the oil cooler?

[vwbusbusvw]

I have lots of spares... door panels, bumpers, handles, knobs, glass, seals, hubcaps, lights, reflectors, etc. ... that I've been hording. PM if interested. I'll trade for weed or a foot massage.
_________________
1994 Dodge Neon w/supercharged 1500dp

OMVWC

[dcketh]

Look here for engine numbers. Looks to me like an AH case was for a '73-'74 Type 1.

edit: which I guess is what you already said, but Type 1 is also Beetle.