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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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 Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:35 pm Post subject: Seeking the history of my bus |
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Hello. I'm a brand new classic vw and bus owner from Texas. I've got a 1970 Microbus according to the vin, but it seems like some previous owner had put in bucket seats, removed the bulk heads and added a camping seat/bed.
I know this is a long shot but I'm looking to see if this bus has a history on the Samba! I would love to connect to previous owners and find out its history.
I know it was originally a California bus but beyond that I don't really know anything.
Last edited by MacRuidh on Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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richparker
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011
Posts: 6981
Location: Durango, CO
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bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 3565
Location: viroqua wi.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2023 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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| Welcome to TheSamba. Bucket seats came standard with a 70 bus. Bulkheads were a non walk thru version (unusual) A camping seat bed or Z bed was very common. We need pictures. |
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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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Unfortunately my mplates were removed at some point in its life so I don’t have that info. |
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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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mikedjames
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2012
Posts: 2736
Location: Hamble, Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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The array of fuses is definitely a creative addition.
The seats are not standard - the lever high up the side is a giveaway.
The bulkhead was probably cut away to clear the non standard seat backs. Which allows you to fit swivelling seat bases if not already fitted ..
_________________
Ancient vehicles and vessels
1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.
1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy |
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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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Thanks for the info about the seats, that’s helpful. I’m going to include some pictures but there was something bolted down between the seats, I’m curious what you think it might be. Could it be someone cut out the middle part of a bench to make buckets?
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16863
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 1:25 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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your bus was born a factory walkthrough
other than the bulkhead backs being cut, that's the way it came
honestly, find some good seats and leave the bulkheads off. looks like they were cut nicely and you can find some real nice seats to use
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
your bus was born a factory walkthrough
other than the bulkhead backs being cut, that's the way it came
honestly, find some good seats and leave the bulkheads off. looks like they were cut nicely and you can find some real nice seats to use |
It won’t be affected structurally without them? I’m pretty new to all of this |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16863
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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there is some debate to that, but late buses didn't have the bulkhead panels
you're fine. the bus isn't going to fold in half because they are missing
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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Okay good to know on that. I am curious what was bolted down in between the seats but I might just leave it all without the bulkheads then.
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1970 Tin Top Microbus |
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Manfred58sc
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009
Posts: 3382
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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Bus has a frame, body is attached to that frame, bulkhead is not a primary player in the structure. The Teutonic torture devices described as "seats" can be permanently deleted. I like like Mitsubishi Eclipse seats or Vanagon. As the machines are now outlasting generations of owners the past can be difficult to uncover. its the future that really matters and you have plenty of work ahead of you.
Its all the same fucking day, man ( Janis Joplin)
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Fat chick owner/operator |
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OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2537
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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There is no nose? Is there an engine? That fuse box give me the shakes.
I have to ask....how much did you pay for this bus?
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
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MacRuidh
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2023
Posts: 10
Location: Ennis, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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| OB Bus wrote: |
There is no nose? Is there an engine? That fuse box give me the shakes.
I have to ask....how much did you pay for this bus? |
It currently has a nose, its just not on there right now. It needed some rust repair so the previous owner disassembled parts of it. I have all the glass, lights, dash ect, to put it back together. It has an engine and transmission and will run once I resolve the spark issue. The previous owner just ran out of time to mess with it and i traded him two non running motorcycles for it
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1970 Tin Top Microbus |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22648
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2023 5:14 am Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
there is some debate to that, but late buses didn't have the bulkhead panels
you're fine. the bus isn't going to fold in half because they are missing |
It’s going to be roughly 2/3, 1/3
(Seriously, it’s fine)
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.ssS! |
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mikedjames
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2012
Posts: 2736
Location: Hamble, Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 2:29 am Post subject: Re: Seeking the history of my bus |
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The bolts probably held down a non-stock storage box or cooler between the seats that was deleted when its lid opening was blocked by the edges of those wider than stock seats.
Treat the bus as a canvas to work on and make yours rather than worry too much about originality.
Total originality will cost a lot more more time and money than tidying up what you have already got. It has not fallen apart in about 50 years, so what is left is probably Ok (apart from RUST)
_________________
Ancient vehicles and vessels
1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.
1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy |
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