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Spitty1974 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2011 Posts: 647 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: 15 Window Bus |
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Hi,
I am a newbie looking to buy my first bus. Like so many others, I have wanted one for years, since I was 13 and I am now in my late thirties.
I have a new question: What years were 15 window buses made?
Last edited by Spitty1974 on Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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sventinker Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2009 Posts: 1481 Location: the sandbox
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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No It can not be done, Go buy a 21 or 23. _________________ April 3rd 62 standard mgr/pw
374 North American equipment
Includes 6 popouts
025 Safety belts
195 Adjustable bench seat/backrest (until 1963)
dawerks wrote: |
Perfection only comes with delusion. |
http://www.oacdp.org/ |
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Spitty1974 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2011 Posts: 647 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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sventinker wrote: |
No It can not be done, Go buy a 21 or 23. |
Can't be done, or just should not be done because of the fact that you are altering and changing? I have seen a few people add skylights to double cabs, and even installed a bus size ragtop.
So, in terms of structure integrity it is a not a good idea, or from a purest perspective, it is a bad idea. Not question you or anyone authority, just curious as to why? Again, I am in the education phase and exploring options, to see what the possibilities.
Thanks for the reply.
Spitty |
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G-wood Todd Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1047 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Can it be done? Yes. Will you be ridiculed for doing it? Most likely.
For what you would have in sheet metal, sunroof mechanism, windows, etc and to pay someone to install it, you would be better off with purchasing a 21/23 window bus. And to top it off you still won't have an original window bus.
My 2 cents is that its not worth the time, money or energy. _________________ and take the kids for instance "Are we going in the Volkswagen bus?" and they say "Yay!" and clap their hands and if it's a glorious day you can slide the sunroof back and let a little of the glory in and all of a sudden, it stops looking funny.
-Volkswagen ad |
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duhbrr Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2010 Posts: 341 Location: SLO, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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15>23 _________________ 1958 Dove Blue DD Panel
pondoras box wrote: |
We complain about people "flipping" cars on here but we have no problem hitting up Amazon or Walmart for flipping cheap foreign junk! |
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Spitty1974 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2011 Posts: 647 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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G-wood Todd wrote: |
Can it be done? Yes. Will you be ridiculed for doing it? Most likely.
For what you would have in sheet metal, sunroof mechanism, windows, etc and to pay someone to install it, you would be better off with purchasing a 21/23 window bus. And to top it off you still won't have an original window bus.
My 2 cents is that its not worth the time, money or energy. |
Thank you for the info and your honesty.
I guess in reality I may just have to get a 15 window deluxe or wait to find the right 21 window. I know deals come up now and then, but they seem to keep getting more expensive, even with much rust repair needed.
I do plan to stretch the project out over several years do to the cost of everything. Your point is well taken with the additional cost and in the end. I also can appreciate not altering the original design.
I was just wondering if it was a realistic option, I am learning quickly it is not and also considered a no-no.
Thanks for the response.
Spitty |
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motofly196 Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008 Posts: 1467 Location: Eastern WA
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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I would buy that 15 window in a heartbeat....and keep it that way. 15 window deluxes with 40hp rule!! |
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DavidKvapil Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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15 window buses are awesome, and from what I've seen are rarer than window buses. I'm hoping to pick one up within the next year or so. Buy the 15 window and leave it as-is, or buy a 21/23 window. _________________ '62 Turkis Kombi FOR SALE. Please see my ad. |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, it can be done but to do everything "right," if you are paying someone to do it, you will end up spending more than the same condition 21-Window as the 15-Window you are looking at it would cost.
You don't just weld in the window openings cut a big hole for a sunroof assembly - there is a lot more than that, including adding belly pans underneath and all the inner skylight and sunroof pieces. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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voo Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 83
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Im not endorsing your conversion, however it most definitely can be done. Should you? Well its my beleif you should do whatever the hell you want to your bus. I personally would'nt choose a 15 window bus because they have great value and disiriablity on their own. No one knows what you payed/paying for the 15 window so to say its easier/cheaper in the long run is simply assumption on their part. Myself if i was gonna do it I'd just pick up a more common 13 window and convert it to 21.
Heres a thread on the subject from a local socal metal man.Call him for a price if your interested.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...mp;start=0
Also search for Jer*fab he has the skills to pull it off also, if you choose to. |
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Scooterboyd Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2009 Posts: 342 Location: Rancho Cordova, California
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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I did mine. Do you have the inner panels in your factory roof? Don't be scared like others. If you want it done then go for it. Give the forum 2 weeks to trade you a 23 window for your 15 window. If no trades then make it what you want. That should take away any guilt you may be feeling from the other folks view. There may be some rust up there where the skylights go and it needs to be removed. While you are there why not slap in the skylights. Wa La. _________________ President of "Society of Unappreciated Overachievers"
62 - 23 Window Bus
60 - Karmann Ghia Convertible
59 - Convertible Raceable Baja Bug
63 - Dune Buggy
65 - Single Cab |
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brettsvw Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2007 Posts: 2145 Location: Florida
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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Since it has not been mentioned yet.
You can do as you please to your bus because it is yours.
In reality most buses get sold at some point in their life. I have seen fake 23 deluxe never sell for a decent price unless the seller finds a unsuspecting buyer that can't tell the difference and gets ripped off.
A nicely restored 15 deluxe will bring a hell of a lot more money than a hacked 23 deluxe.
So if you like spending a bunch of money and then loosing money when you need to sell because you got bored or need the money. Then bite the bullet.
If you like being deceptive then you can lie about it.
Point is very few people keep their hack buses then try to pass them off for what they are not.
Fake 21's do come up for sell, so wait and watch and you could get a deal without all the work. _________________ .
My 59 kombi build.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=635003&highlight=
My buggy build.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=558601&highlight=
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289807 |
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joe56vw Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2004 Posts: 3202 Location: Olympia wa
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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21/23 windows are way overrated most of the new to bus people that i have known over the years get 21/23's then sell them soon after
mostly cause you can't really do much with them like camp or haul stuff in it without risking ruining the inside
i would find someone with a 21/23 and spend some time driving or riding in it before you buy one _________________ '60 15 window walkthrough
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559931&highlight=
why is there no sarcasism button on here? |
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themetalsurgeon Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2008 Posts: 425 Location: Denver
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:30 am Post subject: |
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brettsvw wrote: |
Since it has not been mentioned yet.
You can do as you please to your bus because it is yours.
In reality most buses get sold at some point in their life. I have seen fake 23 deluxe never sell for a decent price unless the seller finds a unsuspecting buyer that can't tell the difference and gets ripped off.
A nicely restored 15 deluxe will bring a hell of a lot more money than a hacked 23 deluxe.
So if you like spending a bunch of money and then loosing money when you need to sell because you got bored or need the money. Then bite the bullet.
If you like being deceptive then you can lie about it.
Point is very few people keep their hack buses then try to pass them off for what they are not.
Fake 21's do come up for sell, so wait and watch and you could get a deal without all the work. |
i agree.....its your money do whatever you like,but if you do sell it on,be curtious to the potential buyer and let them know exactly what they are buying. _________________ http://www.themetalsurgeon.com/2012/12/making-a-new-1938-chevrolet-truck-fender-from-scratch/
www.themetalsurgeon.com
1953 PreA 356 Porsche concours quality for sale.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392073&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
www.themetalsurgeon.com .....know whats under your paint.....
....its not where you're from,its where you're at ....
Quote. Ian Brown(Stone Roses) |
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kanniff Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2009 Posts: 811 Location: West Coast
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:21 am Post subject: |
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I'll buy your 15 so u can buy a 21 _________________ 1958 PGSG Standard |
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Jerry Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007 Posts: 1367
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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I'd just buy a 63 panel then call themetalsurgeon. You wont be destroying a perfectly good window bus & post pictures! Then you can have the thread of all threads! _________________ Looking for SO34 parts.
thevwcompound *instagram* |
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mtb7001 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2009 Posts: 899 Location: Meridian Idaho
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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I'm biased too. Buy any bus and learn about it while looking for "your" 23. As for adding skylights to a 15.... makes me wanna puke. If you do get the 15 and get it fixed you can easily sell or trade it for a correct 23. _________________ 63 15 window deluxe Turkis walk through 1500
"comfort the afflicted, afflict the comfortable" |
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tasb The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 6371 Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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I saw a bay window in an Eastern Michigan barn with skylights and no sunroof a few years ago... _________________ Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse |
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JT21 Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2009 Posts: 28 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:50 am Post subject: |
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I have a 21, and would really like to have a 15, don"t alter a bus it's a bad thing to do. You will love the 15 once your into the resto. |
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tstracy39 Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2008 Posts: 3294 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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Yes it's possible, go for it. It'll make our nice unhacked 15 Windows more valuable now that there'll be one less example on the market. Just don't complain about all the flak you get if you try to sell it at any point after the attempted skylight installation. I've seen fake roof-clipped 21 Window project Buses for sale before, even one that was local to me that I got to see in person, they're not uncommon or expensive. If you want a fake 23, that'd be a better place to start. Just adding a sunroof probably wouldn't devalue the 15, as it'd be a tasteful period correct modification that was frequently done back in the day to all kinds of buses, but do it right and add the belly pans etc. _________________ Check my classifieds for kewl gauges:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=tstracy39
EverettB wrote: |
I like your fork. |
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