Big Island 58 double cab build

jaydub808 · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:40 am Post subject: Big Island 58 double cab build

So i bought a double cab truck that was produced December 1958, making it the first months production by VW (not Binz) for the 1959 module year. So needles to say i'm pretty sure this d-cab is rare Shocked

.
Being young and dumb I had visions of slamming it and dropping a big motor inside but then i took a step back and viewed it from a collectors perspective and realized this truck deserves a proper restoration. I myself will be handling all the body and mechanical and my good old timer vw buddy will be supervising me (with a billy club Laughing

) along the way. All the work will be done in a professional body shop.
You would think that we have it all down but neither one of us knows what a 59 double cab looks like. The detail is what we are after. Right now i am finishing off the the last welds and prepping the under carriage for paint. So my main Q now is how is the under carriage painted stock. We feel that the rails and frame is one color and the floor is another while the mechanical being a different color. As you can see we need help.

Thank you in advance for your help

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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59 double cab
63 Bug
69 Kombie (oldvolks home)
71 double slider panelvan

LittleThunder · Samba Member Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 1015

Welcome to the club!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=473653&highlight=double+cab+production+numbers
What's your VIN number? I also have a Dec. 58 DC Here's a great thread showing how deep you can get with your DC
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=381793
You're DC should have a seamed roof, and seamed gates. Does it have belly pans?

EverettB · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:35 am Post subject:

Great, congrats on the Double Cab.

The underside was just bare primer/sealer from when VW dipped the bodies.

A lot of people use paint though to replicate it.
Here's a thread from the BUS FAQ at the top of this section with some information:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=159130

If by the floors you mean inside the Bus, those would be Dove Blue.

The mechanicals (what exactly) are generally black.
Transmission axle tubes, spring plates, front beam, etc.
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jaydub808 · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:35 am Post subject:

Sorry for the late response but i have been working a lot.

The VIN is 426503

the engine is now freshly rebuilt and tans was properly tested and cleaned.
Honestly i had no idea what it takes to restore a car properly it's alot of work and i haven't even touched the body. here is some pics of my progress.

Luckily the front beam has been recently rebuilt so all it needed was a good cleaning (5 hrs with a steel brush) and paint.

i realize that my engine colors are custom but this is not the original 1300 engine. the only original part i am missing

also i am looking to purchase tires soon what is the og tire and rim size?
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59 double cab
63 Bug
69 Kombie (oldvolks home)
71 double slider panelvan

bugcollections · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:05 pm Post subject: DC

Original tire size is 6:40X15 bias ply. Also, original engine is not a 1300, but a 36hp 1192cc. Transaxle is also split case.

kombisutra · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:45 pm Post subject:

Thank you for appreciating it's history and keeping it stock. Nice harem you have there... Cool

jaydub808 · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:10 am Post subject:

I have 15" smoothy rims on my daily driver, will these be period correct. Also how hard is it to get a 36 hp case. or is that silly considering the engine # will not match.

I will tackle the front nose later today will post pics soon

Dave24 · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject:

Major Woody · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:12 pm Post subject:

Excellent project. I think you are going to regret the klown paint on the engine, but if you change your mind, that can always be easily fixed. If you're going to keep it stock, keep it stock.

Atlantic · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:47 pm Post subject:

... now that you have a cool car, you should let the baggage go.

I can take this:

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"If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." [Voltaire]

Mikee · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:17 pm Post subject:

I think that is my old DC, if it is, it has been thru hell!!! Do what you want with it and enjoy it

on the way to Big Island

front end

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jaydub808 · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 12:43 pm Post subject:

This bus has been through hell but purgatory is coming to a end Laughing

.
Honestly i never planned on restoring this truck to show quality. But rather give a mechanical and rust repair overhaul, and fixing all the noticeable weld ins. Then give it a cool vintage look paint job. Yes i will be leaving some dents but the rust has to go. I'm just not into owning shinny buses, but i love to sell them Cool

Just finished the some of the front end repair its nice to see clean metal.

sorry the Porsche is not mine
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59 double cab
63 Bug
69 Kombie (oldvolks home)
71 double slider panelvan

jaydub808 · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:21 am Post subject:

mikee do you have more pics or history about the double cab, i just wanted to say you did a lot of solid work on this truck, without all the welding you did i might not have got this truck. Then the next owner bought all new weld ins, gates, and rubbers. Not much i don't have for this truck
_________________
59 double cab
63 Bug
69 Kombie (oldvolks home)
71 double slider panelvan

ssx · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:16 pm Post subject:

Any updates?
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1956 Oval/Ragtop

Mikee · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:19 am Post subject:


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