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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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 Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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First post in this forum as I normally hang out in the Beetle areas, but thought I’d introduce my new project –
I’m going to be needing plenty of help as I’m not yet all that familiar with the T2s. Thus far I have progressed no further than getting it transported home and into dry storage. What it needs most of all next is a large pot of restorative cash.
Pretty much my dream vehicle here, RHD, original and relatively unmolested (still 6V electrics for example) if sadly neglected. It earned its living as a farm vehicle and hopefully now will enjoy a comfortable retirement. It has its fair share of structural rust underneath and a lot of homemade repairs riveted to it over the years (hopefully nothing that can’t be put right); the front third of the body including the cab seem to be in great original shape. It was last registered in ’74 and has been sat in a shed since; my plans are for a completely stock restoration other than a sprightly 1776sp to propel it along. It will be a slow process over a period of some years I expect, but then it’s all about the journey 
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Last edited by Dangermouse on Sun Sep 17, 2023 9:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6129
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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WOW !!
That Singlecab looks cool 
Lots of cross member work to be done-- But a RHD !! Well worth the time spent.....
And it's a single-chester on the LHD drivers side.
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Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI 
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
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zozo
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005
Posts: 5217
Location: South of Ol' San Antonio
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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Diggin' the gray too. Excellent find.
BTW, I used to like Dangermouse. It was a refreshing change from East Enders, Parliament, and Snooker on BBC. lol |
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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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Si Barone Great show, completely wasted on kids...
Here are some more pics, I don't think the grey is original but I do like the utilitarian air it lends to the cab space. You can see that the repair patches are grey also, suggesting a more recent paint job. At least the patches suggest that somebody at some time was keeping on top of running rust repairs and not just letting it run riot, just a pity it was effected with pop rivets.
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Do not follow me, for I may not lead. Do not lead me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either; actually just bugger off and stand over there will you.
Last edited by Dangermouse on Sun Sep 17, 2023 9:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71323
Location: Phoenix 602
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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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| Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2023 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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That ten years passed quickly 
It is possible to unlock this thread so I can update links to pics and post a bit on progress? Getting to the stage where I'm going to have questions...
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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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| Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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A couple more from the 'as found' files...
and
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nikuman
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2012
Posts: 1
Location: Okinawa, Japan
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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| So, any progress with the restoration? |
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70bus
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 1191
Location: P.O.
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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Considering pics 8 and 23 show extreme structure breakage, either they've been busy or they punted. I'd like to know which!
EDIT - looking at post history, thet're still poking away. Dangermouse, how did you fix those breaks?
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Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams
Raul the 65 singlecab
Karl the 70 nine-seater |
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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 2025 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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| nikuman wrote: |
| So, any progress with the restoration? |
Some It's been something a slow burn but then it's a pretty big job. Pace is picking up now that the bodywork is mostly complete. It had to be taken back way, way further than we'd anticipated, no surprises there...
| 70bus wrote: |
| EDIT - looking at post history, thet're still poking away. Dangermouse, how did you fix those breaks? |
The crack in the chassis rail was the least of our problems But was welded up on a chassis aligner.
Some highlights below for you. Project is now sitting in epoxy primer and bedlinered underneath and it's finally time to turn to mechanicals. Nearly there now Been a long road.
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70bus
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 1191
Location: P.O.
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 2025 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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Holy crap! did you use any original metal? :). I do hope the gates and side/engine hatch doors went to good use somewhere, as they looked fine.
Was the frame at the forward bulkhead tophat bent? That tear in the driver's side behind door looked like bus had been flexing quite some time. I'm always surprised pickups survived at all; they were used to collapse - literally! In any event, you will basically have a new truck when done. Looking forward to seeing a finished pic.
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Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams
Raul the 65 singlecab
Karl the 70 nine-seater |
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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 2025 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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| 70bus wrote: |
| Holy crap! did you use any original metal? |
Three lug nuts and the emergency brake Yeah, it was disappointing how little original metal could be (economically) saved. I'm not doing the tin bending, I'm paying for those skills so when you factor in the skill and time, it's cheaper to just replace the panel (even factoring in the eye-watering shipping to get new metal here (by sea!); you guys don't realise how good you have it up there!). But yes, it quickly becomes a case of my grandfather's axe...
| 70bus wrote: |
| I do hope the gates and side/engine hatch doors went to good use somewhere, as they looked fine. |
Gates have been rehomed and will look perfect in their new location. Engine lid is being reused (yay) but the locker hatch was far from fine, way worse than it looks in the pics on the reverse side.
| 70bus wrote: |
| I'm always surprised pickups survived at all; they were used to collapse - literally! In any event, you will basically have a new truck when done. Looking forward to seeing a finished pic. |
Yes, they were usually worked to death, especially on farms. They were built to be used and then disposed of, not restored. At least when finished this will have paint and protection where it never had from the factory. It will outlive me!
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pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1492
Location: Eerie PA
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 5:56 am Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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Well this sure took a turn in an unexpected direction. It might have been cheaper to build one from scratch using all new panels. But you dedication is commendable sir.
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk |
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chrisflstf
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2004
Posts: 3976
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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| Wow, thats alot of work and looks very professional as well. Great job! |
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12565
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 9:03 am Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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Could you post up a pic of the under dash area with fuse box?
like this, but the right hand side?
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Dangermouse
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Beautiful New Zealand
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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Will do yep, though it will be a few days. Are you thinking kick panels? I have the original panels though they're in poor shape - can take a pic of those also is that's useful?
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12565
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| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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| Dangermouse wrote: |
| Will do yep, though it will be a few days. Are you thinking kick panels? I have the original panels though they're in poor shape - can take a pic of those also is that's useful? |
ya, I'm thinking about the kick panels.
For late fuse box buses 1960-12/62 some RHD have the fuse box pretty centered in the panel, but some (later) are closer to the heater tube. I'm wondering when that changed. I don't see many RHD in the states, lol
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70bus
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 1191
Location: P.O.
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| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: '61 RHD Single Cab |
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This pic would indicate the fuse box was already close to heater tube at this production date
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Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams
Raul the 65 singlecab
Karl the 70 nine-seater |
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