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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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 Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 6:15 pm Post subject: Riviera or Sportsmobile? |
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Hi all, I was recently offered to purchase/ trade a running solid bay window for a 1967 panel/ camper conversion. I spoke to the gentleman on the phone, and after a little chat, deduced it may be a riviera. He said it has a long pane of glass on the drivers side and 3 jalousie windows on the passenger side. It has a pop top, but apparently it doesn't look like a normal westy. Im thinking its a riviera.
It has a strange m code for no rear vents as a bench seat and was delivered to grand rapids, MO. Apparently aside from the corner damage and crusty front floor its a dry texas bus.
James
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image
Last edited by vwbusman66 on Sat May 09, 2015 6:33 am; edited 1 time in total |
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olliehank47
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2011
Posts: 1198
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| Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Just a question. Are the pictures you posted in the thread from you or are they the ones you received from the seller? I ask because they are obviously images form a computer screen and if that's what you got from the seller, be careful. |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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He said that they came off his old phone and has no way of uploading them. I spoke with him for half an hour today. Good point though and thanks for giving me a heads up.
James
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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Malokin Martin
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007
Posts: 3324
Location: E-burg
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| Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| whatever it is, I've always dreamed of leaving the moss on something like that for a while and just driving it as-is for a bit. Cool find |
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Clara 
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12677
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| Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Riviera or Not? |
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| vwbusman66 wrote: |
Hi all, I was recently offered to purchase/ trade a running solid bay window for a 1967 panel/ camper conversion. ............ Im thinking its a riviera.
It has a strange m code for no rear vents as a bench seat and was delivered to grand rapids, MO. Apparently aside from the corner damage and crusty front floor its a dry texas bus.
James
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check the Riviera thread. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=260733&highlight=riviera
I think all the Rivis I've seen are either UP or US port codes.
Also, the Rivi long window has sliding panes at each end, NOT louvered.
2 windows on passenger side.
This bus may well be another OTW camper conversion, just not a Riviera.
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olliehank47
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2011
Posts: 1198
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| Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: Riviera or Not? |
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| Clara wrote: |
| vwbusman66 wrote: |
Hi all, I was recently offered to purchase/ trade a running solid bay window for a 1967 panel/ camper conversion. ............ Im thinking its a riviera.
It has a strange m code for no rear vents as a bench seat and was delivered to grand rapids, MO. Apparently aside from the corner damage and crusty front floor its a dry texas bus.
James
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check the Riviera thread. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=260733&highlight=riviera
I think all the Rivis I've seen are either UP or US port codes.
Also, the Rivi long window has sliding panes at each end, NOT louvered.
2 windows on passenger side.
This bus may well be another OTW camper conversion, just not a Riviera. |
Actually, I found several pictures on the web of campers identified as Riveria that had the louvred windows at the ends of the long windows. They were only id'd by a title so can't be certain. Riveria was in Oregon, so US deliveries are logical.
Edit: A little more probing came up with the EZ camper conversion had the louvred windows so I suspect the OP's bus is an EZ and the web shots I saw were mislabeled. |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 4:36 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Clara and oilehank47.
Next question, would an ez have a poptop?
James
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 5:06 am Post subject: |
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Also, wouldn't an ez, sundial, or caravelle have only 2 of the windows that are single pane wind up, and a 3rd window that was OG vw?
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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olliehank47
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2011
Posts: 1198
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 7:49 am Post subject: |
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| vwbusman66 wrote: |
| Also, wouldn't an ez, sundial, or caravelle have only 2 of the windows that are single pane wind up, and a 3rd window that was OG vw? |
I'm certainly no expert on camper conversions, but I have owned a splitty Sundial and a bay Westy. From my experience and observations of campers--especially conversions from panels--done during that time period (mid to late 60's), it seems that just about any combination was possible and no hard and fast rules applied to some features.
If the OP's bus was a converted panel, it's quite possible, IMO, that it could have louvered windows on both sides with only two on the passenger side--the cargo doors. If the OP's bus was a 11 window, it's likely the OG openings on the passenger side were replaced with louvered inserts with the factory window remaining. However, that might have been changed out or special ordered. Really, so many hands have touched the old buses that just about anything is possible.
As far as the pop top, there were non-westy versions available that were found on non-westy conversions. They looked very similar bu tended to have a lower profile. I had one on my bus.
What we need is a photo of the OP's bus from the passenger side as well as some interior shots to narrow this down. |
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NorCalWeekender
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Joined: April 13, 2000
Posts: 6541
Location: East Bay, CA
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 8:02 am Post subject: |
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I'd have a hard time helping ID this as a Riviera without seeing if there's any interior in it.
And Clara, my Riviera came into Baltimore and has a UD code (at least, I think Baltimore is UD...don't have a pic of the m-code plate handy at work).
How and when an east coast bus ended up in Oregon and getting the conversion is anyone's guess. 
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9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy
"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995 |
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Clara
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Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12677
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 8:17 am Post subject: |
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| olliehank47 wrote: |
Actually, I found several pictures on the web of campers identified as Riveria that had the louvred windows at the ends of the long windows. They were only id'd by a title so can't be certain. Riveria was in Oregon, so US deliveries are logical.
Edit: A little more probing came up with the EZ camper conversion had the louvred windows so I suspect the OP's bus is an EZ and the web shots I saw were mislabeled. |
Yes, sometimes photos are misidentified in the gallery.
There is a thread on identifying your camper, check the FAQ
| NorCalRiviera wrote: |
And Clara, my Riviera came into Baltimore and has a UD code (at least, I think Baltimore is UD...don't have a pic of the m-code plate handy at work).
How and when an east coast bus ended up in Oregon and getting the conversion is anyone's guess.  |
Really? That is odd. Of the half dozen or so Rivieras that show up regularly at the Oregon and Washington shows, and the other ones I've seen around, few I've owned, every one I checked was UP (Portland, OR ) or US (Seattle, WA) port coded.
Maybe yours was taken to Riviera Motors to be converted? I wonder what that receipt would look like!
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Schwing
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Joined: May 10, 2009
Posts: 2514
Location: Centreville, MD
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 8:28 am Post subject: |
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The seller is going to send some more pictures when he gets it out. Thanks for all the help and hope to keep you updated.
James
_________________
WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 10:33 am Post subject: |
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| Schwing wrote: |
Let me know if you need some help going to get it, when you do.
I have a pickup and a tow rope, also a bus tow bar . |
Thanks Schwing It'll probably get shipped home because I'm too lazy and busy but if you and Ken (kenshapiro22) want to come over and help me weld, do brakes, rebuild the reduction boxes, or replace all of the rubber (I mean ALL), you have my open invite. This jalousie stuff is scaring me a little, and where the HELL am i supposed to find seals for the long window and poptop??
James
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 11:03 am Post subject: |
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Oh right, also let me mention I broke both my wrists at school on monday and got a hard and soft cast today, so Ill definitely need some help  
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 11:17 am Post subject: |
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After a little searching/ stalking, I found NorCalRiviera's mcode plate in the gallery.
He also has M043, which is the rear upper vent delete for panel vans with a bench seat, but also has walkthrough M80, which I though automatically deleted the vents? The 67 I am looking at also has that option, but is a bench. I wonder if, because Riviera was a major distributor, by the end of split production, they were selling so many they would take them from all ports, as his is from Baltimore, and "mine" from Missouri, and would take orders from anyone. Although his is 4 months older than "mine", there could be some kind of volume connection.
James
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WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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quartermilecamel
Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2008
Posts: 3929
Location: ohio
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 11:51 am Post subject: |
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| Malokin Martin wrote: |
| whatever it is, I've always dreamed of leaving the moss on something like that for a while and just driving it as-is for a bit. Cool find |
I grew up in fresno ca, and they had an outfit for the 4 x 4 people that you could drive in and have them spray on mud on your 4 x 4. I suppose you could find spray on moss?
Anyway nice bus, perfect for the person that NEEDS some fix it before its driveable time. Oh and it is 67, which has backup lights! Majorly valuable to me when trying to reverse at night!
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Waiting for santa to drop off funky green. I can wish can't I???? |
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vwbusman66
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2014
Posts: 386
Location: Kingsville, MD
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Interior shots coming soon! He hopes to pull it out on saturday.
James
_________________
WANTED: Annis Morrill Corp. dealer information and stuff
1958 L53 Pressed Bumper Panel
1973 Wild Westerner
Click to view image |
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olliehank47
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2011
Posts: 1198
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12677
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 7:50 am Post subject: |
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| vwbusman66 wrote: |
After a little searching/ stalking, I found NorCalRiviera's mcode plate in the gallery. ....
He also has M043, which is the rear upper vent delete for panel vans with a bench seat, but also has walkthrough M80, which I though automatically deleted the vents? The 67 I am looking at also has that option, but is a bench. I wonder if, because Riviera was a major distributor, by the end of split production, they were selling so many they would take them from all ports, as his is from Baltimore, and "mine" from Missouri, and would take orders from anyone. Although his is 4 months older than "mine", there could be some kind of volume connection.
James |
Riviera was a distributor, which meant they were on a level in the VWOA organization above a regular dealership, that everything that came through at UP went through them.
They clearly had a working relationship with the Seattle distributor. There is an 1965 article in the Riviera thread about the campers being built in Seattle.
Read about installing the kits at a port free zone to save on import duties:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...;start=660
I think you are reaching at straws. His is actually a Riviera, yours does not look like one.
Honestly, while Riviera is may be one of the better documented OTW camper kits, it looks like you have something else.
I am sure the camper kit in the new bus is wonderful, whatever it is.
Do check out the id your camper thread.
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