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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 4:30 am Post subject: The 1971 White Westfalia |
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I recently sold my 1969 Deluxe Microbus in favour of a 1971 Westfalia due to a desire for more camping and the practicality of doing so in a Westy (also being able to stand up is very novel).
Anyway, I shall let my blog post do the talking:
The Viewing
Having spent months searching for a Westfalia to replace my deluxe yielding no results I finally stumbled across a California import which had found its way to Holland. The bus is very solid, original (bar the odd panel) and reasonably priced. Yes, I could perhaps save a little money importing directly from the US, however most either required too much work, or were newly painted and had a price to match - I had a budget. I also liked the idea that I could view the bus rather than trust a seller in the US.
I emailed the seller, Barry, and after getting an excellent response, hundreds of pictures and videos, as well as around 20 positive responses from his previous customers I planned a date to go over and view the bus.
5am. Bleary eyed and groggy, I boarded the easy jet flight to Amsterdam.
10am. I was greeted at the airport by Barry who had come to pick me up.
We arrived at his house around 30 minutes later where he has a large barn type extension.
Inside was his workshop, with a latebay on the ramp and his splitty behind. If you walk around the split screen there is another large room that I forgot to take a picture of and has his fleet of latebays he rents out to his fellow countrymen. It was an amazing collection.
We then went to another storage area where I was greeted by 7 buses, including mine, hiding in the corner.
I spent a good while looking around, though ultimately there was little need as thanks to Barry's honest description and countless photos, nothing was unexpected about the bus. I took it for a test drive.
I sat on the rock and roll bed, took everything in and realised this was actually the first time I had sat inside a Westfalia. I loved it.
We agreed the sale and discussed the work that would be required to get the bus up to MOT or APK (Dutch MOT) standard. The remit is the bus has to be able to get me home. We've estimated that completion should be by the end of this month (April) and then I've just got to fit in collecting it. Stanford Hall VW Show is on the 5th May so that is our target.
There is a bit of damage on the passenger side of the bus, but nothing particularly bad and for reasons we can't quite work out, three lower half panels had a poor, rushed respray probably 20 years ago. There is little sign of damage so it's something I will explore further in the future - a midland paintwerks job methinks??
Anyway, that's caught us up to the present day, I'm now just counting down the time until I can collect, planning the ferry and flight over.
Thanks for reading
Paddy
Last edited by Supertramp on Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:13 am; edited 1 time in total |
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camit34 Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2006 Posts: 1567 Location: Commerce City CO
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:32 am Post subject: |
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Nice Paddy! You must be totally stoked! Love my Westy, I spent 4 months traveling and living in mine back in '12. Great choice! ENJOY! _________________ In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD) |
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Nice bus! Brings back memories of my '70 Westy. _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you both for the comments. Yes I cannot wait to get it home. I'll be driving it from the port to my house which will be a few hundred miles so should give me a good idea of how she's running and what needs to be done.
Early upgrades will be a gene berg shifter and possibly Koni shocks.
Other than that it's just a matter of lots of use and camping this summer. |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:57 am Post subject: |
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Thought I'd update. We had originally planned for the bus to be back by now, in time for a show this weekend, however delays on other buses has pushed the work on my bus back a little bit. I also go on holiday next Friday so the new pickup date is the 27th May. Plane and ferry tickets are booked.
So the planned journey:
7:30am - Fly to Holland
9:30am - Arrive in Amsterdam
10:00am - Get picked up by the seller, trailering my bus to the ferry port
11:30am - Arrive at ferry port, wave goodbye to the seller
12:01pm - Eat Lunch
2:30pm - Depart Holland on a ferry to Harwich (6:30hr crossing)
8:00pm (UK time) - Arrive in Harwich, England
10:00pm - Find campsite/stopover and sleep!
5:00am - Set off for Manchester.
Proposed route:
Though I think I'll most likely go this way:
Drive up through Cambridge (maybe stop here for the night) then over the Peak District and into Manchester. Not quite as epic as some of the US road trips but exciting nonetheless. |
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karlonwheels Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2014 Posts: 128 Location: new yorkish
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:34 am Post subject: |
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looks like a beautiful Westy. My '69 has given me tons of pleasure. and by that I mean the pleasur eof not having to wonder where my next aycheck is going. Have fun with it. |
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sneakyjack Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2010 Posts: 560 Location: SOuthern VT
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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I say "COOL"!
have fun, take your time if you can, getting back and getting used to the ride and sounds and feel. _________________ Nothin left to do....
www.idolmakerfilms.com |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 12:14 am Post subject: |
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Few updates:
Left rear inner and outer wheel bearing replaced.
Gear box oil change.
4 CV boots replaced and new grease/bolts.
Front brake callipers rebuilt.
Upper left ball joint replaced.
Shift rod cleaned and greased.
Vacuum hose on the brakes replaced.
Rear breaks with new wheel cylinders and break shoes. Cleaned break drums.
Replaced steering drag link, tie rod assembly right side, right brake hose, balljoint dustcaps.
Engine service/tune up and other bits and bobs still to come. I've included pictures:
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808OvalGreasemonkey Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2010 Posts: 763 Location: Oahu
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 12:44 am Post subject: |
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Just saw this,damn dude,looking good! That is a really solid example. Are you going to cruise it as is or go for a restoration? Have fun! |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 1:12 am Post subject: |
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808OvalGreasemonkey wrote: |
Just saw this,damn dude,looking good! That is a really solid example. Are you going to cruise it as is or go for a restoration? Have fun! |
Thank you
No restoration. Plan is just to get out and enjoy it. I'll be adding things like Propex, a fridge and whatever other work needs doing on it, but don't want it to be off the road.
Can't wait. |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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Wow. That rear bearing grease looked like dogshit. What's the other side look like?
And what brand are those nice, thick rear brake shoes? Must be nice to have a lift!
Nice splitty teaser porn, by the way! |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:40 am Post subject: |
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Wasted youth/adulthood wrote: |
Wow. That rear bearing grease looked like dogshit. What's the other side look like?
And what brand are those nice, thick rear brake shoes? Must be nice to have a lift!
Nice splitty teaser porn, by the way! |
Other side was the same. I think the brake shoes are ATÉ but I will double check. |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Well in preparation for collection in two and a bit weeks, work on my bus has been progressing quickly. Engine has had a full service, oil change, points sorting etc.
Electrics have been fixed. Indicators, wipers and lights all work. Horn is a work in progress.
But most importantly, poptop canvas has been installed and new roof seals all round. Canvas was ordered from FBI volkswagen and is a Wolfsburg west one. Apparently it fits really well and looks excellent in the pictures.
Looking much better now. |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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Im on my way!
About to board the flight to Amsterdam. Driving back tonight. |
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matt94gt Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2014 Posts: 245 Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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wcfvw69 Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 13389 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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Great bus and what a epic way to start off with him/her! Post many pics of your adventure! _________________ Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 7:58 am Post subject: |
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Drive safe and good luck! _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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Bit delayed but thought I'd update this.
Barry picked me up at the airport and took me to the bus. I had a quick test drive to check the work that Barry had done and all seemed well, so onto the trailer heading towards the Hook of Holland.
Leaving it's recent home
Arriving at the ferry port. No other cars in sight.
Quick Sandwich
I duly drove through check in and got my ticket and then onto customs where I was greeted by a Dutch customs official complete with aviator sunglasses. He was not impressed about the state of my bus, lacking 'export plates', only having a US plate on the front and so proceeded to give me a dressing down. After a few minutes he then turned to his colleague and I can only assume they thought it wasn't worth the hassle as he said be on your way and I boarded the ferry.
Safely on the ferry
Goodbye Holland, sunbathing on the deck
Hello England, cloud
Got through customs without even a how-do-you-do. The official asked where I was headed and that was it, much to the displeasure of a lady in a motorhome who got out of her vehicle, tapped on my window and explained (with a big smirk on her face) that I wouldn't get into England as 'In England we have licence plates and you don't have one therefore you're not getting in). Her face was a picture when I put on my very best Manchester accent and politely asked her to mind her own. Was then hilarious watching customs search her motorhome.
Also in the queue a German in a Type 25 pulled up, flashed me the peace sign then said 'Yeah it looks like crap but it's old so it's ok' Thank you I guess...
Drove towards Colchester when loss of power and slowed to a stop, fortunately pulling off the main road.
Now this bit is embarrassing. I was under the impression that I had half a tank, not so...The fuel gauge is clearly broken and therefore the cause of my rather dramatic break down, not me :msn4: .
Driven to the petrol station, how embarrassing.
Time is now 01:05am and I still have over 200 miles to get home. My plan was to camp in Colchester but the campsite was now closed. So I drove until 3, slept in the bus at the Cambridge service station which was very novel. I was sure that the black widows remaining in my bus would eat me, so tucked myself into my bed for the night.
Sleeping quarters with temporary curtains
Waking up
Determined not to run out of fuel again I filled up. Whilst doing so two traffic police pulled in and started walking towards me. Obviously I was cool as a cucumber :msn4: The first approaches me 'What year is it??' '71' 'Awesome car' and off they went...
So drove the rest of the way cruising at 55mph without a hiccup. Gear changes are smooth, engine sounds good and not too loud, disc brakes make a massive difference!
And finally, home
So, not quite a European adventure, but I did get to drive home from Harwich to Manchester, few laughs, one or two tears and a couple of spiders later and I have my 1971 Westfalia. Thanks for all the support!
Last edited by Supertramp on Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Supertramp Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: England
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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Well now that my European adventure to get the bus home is over I thought I would start this thread to document my future with the bus. She's a white 1971 Westy, imported from San Francisco to Holland and then to me in the UK. Three previous owners and has been stood in a barn for 16 years. I wanted something original and this pretty much fit the bill. Original paint (mostly) and interior. With that in mind it isn't pristine, but the plan is to go on as many trips as possible in it.
For some reason the rear two panels and corner of this side have been repainted in this horrible scratchy, chalky stuff. Can't find any accident damage though and the magnet says no filler? Rest is original.
Some damage to deal with in the future (ahem, Midland Paintwerks)
Weird tyres have to go
First job after driving 300 miles overnight was to clean it. Years and years of dust and dirt and one or two mice droppings needed to be thoroughly dealt with.
Much better
Comes up good with Cif
Then put my feet up in my new home
Dog (reluctantly) joined me
Certain little addition I've waited ages for
And that's all I've got to so far. NOVA declaration has been done and came back immediately as requiring no VAT. Just got to get it registered and we're good to go! |
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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2711
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for documenting it all so well. great pics and even better storytelling!
btw, those Wildcat tires aren't bad - if they aren't showing signs of needing to be replaced. if you don't like the white outlined letters, just take them in and have them flip them around to the other side. It's a Les Shwab brand tire that actually does pretty nicely on a baywindow bus. it's likely a touch oversized at 27x8.rR14, but they have nice treads. |
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