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scarroll Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2003 Posts: 157
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 4:27 pm Post subject: Best Year? |
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I've seen a couple of references to the '71 as the best year of the bay window. Any opinions about that? Are there any dogs among the years? |
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VW Addict Samba Salesman
Joined: January 09, 2003 Posts: 3920
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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1953
My $.02 - There was no Best year, just small changes.
I would much rather have a aircooled Bus (until 1979) then a vangon, or eurovan, but VW is VW. |
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busrocker71 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2003 Posts: 333 Location: Welcome to the OC
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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YOU'RE DAMN SKIPPY 71 is the best year!!!
shiet...represent...jk
no but seriously...it was the last year that the type 2 had type 1 upright engines...a major plus...and the first year for disc brakes....still have the earlier type 2 rear lights...kind of like the transition between the splitty and the bay...just my $.02
omar _________________ 1971 BayWindow Deluxe+SoCal=Good Times
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NeverHadaBeetle Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2002 Posts: 442 Location: Missouri
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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Early bay winner will be the 1971 hands down. Best type IV or late bay is 1978 because of the hydraulic lifters, 091 tranny, 2.0 liter, and improved fuel injection. My vote for worse year is 1972 because it has dual carbs on a type IV, but no freaking engine access hatch. |
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dvrdwn Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2003 Posts: 159 Location: sarasota Fl
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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both these guys are right. while all AIRCOOLED PRE 80 are great its more of personal thing. splits have alot of style but bay windows have a special place in my heart .other things to think about ,reduction boxs,disc or drum brakes,upright vs pancake engine ect. whatever you decide you will be totaly happy. |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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71 unless your talking Westfalias. The 68-69 Westy's had the natural birch finish and the 70-71 went to the white paint over the birch. I like the look of the earlier interior better. |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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71 unless your talking Westfalias. The 68-69 Westy's had the natural birch finish and the 70-71 went to the white paint over the birch. I like the look of the earlier interior better. |
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jeremyrockjock Samba Towbar Builder
Joined: January 01, 2002 Posts: 5008 Location: Richmond, Verjinya
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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71 is the best bay. I just don't like the small 5 lug pattern. _________________ Why buy what you can build.
Step away from the fiberglass and no one gets hurt!! |
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Amskeptic Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2002 Posts: 8568 Location: All Across The Country
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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Au dang contraire to all-o-youse. 1973 was the best year, for the following splendid reasons:
The very finest braking performance of any year Bus.
( look at that front end again and tell me this isn't important)
The last year of quality craftsmanship before the accounting department de-contented the Bus, like no more fuel filler door and cheaper seats.
The only year it had those way-cool illuminated red heater controls.
A beautiful access door in the back AND perforated vinyl headliner.
The first year of the upgraded collision re-inforcement front-end.
The last year for the nice gauges.
And Many More. . . .splendid reasons like those solid 1700 heads.
Colin
( but all Buses deserve the finest care you can provide them) |
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chabanais Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2002 Posts: 4866
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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...and your Bus is a 73?? _________________ "I spud therefore I yam." |
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VW Addict Samba Salesman
Joined: January 09, 2003 Posts: 3920
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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OK. I am a owner of a 69 now, and I like it! SIXTY NINE'S RULE! lol - All Buses are good. Lets go campin' |
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Paulie Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2003 Posts: 164
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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NeverHadaBeetle wrote: |
My vote for worse year is 1972 because it has dual carbs on a type IV, but no freaking engine access hatch. |
Heh - Just the other day I pulled out the mattress on the '72 I just bought looking for the access hatch, and sat there slack-jawed for several minutes wondering who the heck welded a solid floor in my bus... |
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A.J. Adams Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2003 Posts: 115 Location: Stroud, United Kingdom
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Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Asking which is the best year is kind of like asking who's your favorite team, or porn star. Everyone is partial to one year or the other.
As long as you like it and enjoy it, it's the right year for you. _________________ Sold 1978 Westy
Looking for a type 182 thing or a Herbie replica
"Are these morons getting dumber, or just louder?" Mayor Quimby |
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crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19672 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:54 am Post subject: |
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For a bay, '71 is more than likely the best. Doghouse, DP heads, small(er) rear lights, disc brakes, ect. The only thing I don't like about the '71 is the new rims thay had to use. I prefer the look of the big caps and non vented rims. _________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
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busrocker71 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2003 Posts: 333 Location: Welcome to the OC
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 1:30 am Post subject: |
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i agree crofty...the wheels are crap. the small 5 pattern is a pain in the arse when trying to find nice aftermarket wheels without an adapter. the only positive is that they are the same pattern, 112mmx5, as a Benz. another fault...the damn benz wheels are way too expensive! _________________ 1971 BayWindow Deluxe+SoCal=Good Times
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ratwell Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2003 Posts: 8717 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 11:18 am Post subject: |
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These are the US import figures. Popularity peaked in 70/71. MSRP figures for the basic transporter as listed.
1968 - 57,862 $2,269
1969 - 54,985 $2,414
1970 - 72,515 $2,495
1971 - 68,561 $2,720
1972 - 48,178 $2,989
1973 - 43,533 $3,500
1974 - 30,166 $4,000
1975 - 17,679 $4,750
1976 - 20,825 $5,235
1977 - 26,209 $5,249
1978 - 26,017 $6,185
1979 - 11,762 $7,285 _________________ '78 Westfalia CDN
'76 Doublecab
Read the Baywindow FAQ |
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llamas1 Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2003 Posts: 237 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 11:56 am Post subject: |
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1971 - 68,561 $2,720
Isn't it ironic. That's about what I paid for mine back in July. |
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crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19672 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Damn, a little over twice the price for a Bus in 11 years! $5k increase from 68 to 79. I wonder why sales dropped! They got a little uglier every year too..... _________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
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ratwell Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2003 Posts: 8717 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Over 3x actually. That's what inflation did to bus prices in the 70s. The numbers for teh Westfalias were even higher. I wonder what caused sales to put up steam in 77/78? _________________ '78 Westfalia CDN
'76 Doublecab
Read the Baywindow FAQ |
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bajorek Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2003 Posts: 726
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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I'm partial to my 76 Westy. I like the 76-79s because they have an open floorplan. I like opening the sliding door and having space, instead of a cabinet. They also have stronger engines.
On the down side, I like the older ones for their wood, head liners (wood), steps built into bumpers, and split tail lights.
All in all- I think the later model green scheme rocks!!! |
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