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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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 Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 1:29 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| Rich's 50 wrote: |
Nicely done  |
| AS350driver wrote: |
That’s a great pic there. Super nice bus, and you chose very wisely in your preservation of it. |
Thanks fellas
| j.pickens wrote: |
I've checked out this thread over the years. But I can't recall if you ever discussed what you might know about the origins of your bus. I had thought that VW only imported SO-34's with the white laminate interior cabinets into the US market. Was this SO-35 a tourist import?
Beautiful camper, one of my favorites! |
Thank you, I feel lucky to have it.
It's a no port code Westy, so delivered in Germany. The birth cert shows that it was delivered to Stuttgart. It has the blue California plates that came out in 1970, so my guess would be that it stayed over in Germany for 5 years before coming to California. Could have been someone in the service or who knows? It also has holes from the German plates in the front bumper and decklid. I bought it from the family of most likely the 2nd owner. I have a stack of registration slips going back to 72'. Wish I knew more..
The closest relative to my bus that I've seen is Daniel's 64' so-35:
The only real differences I remember between his and mine are the lower color, and mine came with a gas heater. His is a 64', mine a 65'. I still want to compare the m-plates.
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j.pickens
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9791
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 6:58 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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Thanks for the info.
I remember when I first saw a flipseat in the flesh at the Manassas, VA bugin, I thought it weird that the owner "restored" the bus in that awful white formica.
I was quickly schooled in the fact that it was a stock SO-34.
Never liked the look, I much prefer the wood interior SO-35. But as you say, they are pretty rare in the US.
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| BeaterBarndoor wrote: |
i wish more people would actually drive their vws rather than just talking about what they have in the garage. |
| Red Fau Veh wrote: |
| If you've seen one sunroof swivel seat kombi, you've seen them all! |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22460
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 9:51 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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There are not many patina jobs out there that Id say are wroth a damn. Oakman definitely took the time to restore and preserve what was there, making a very unique cool ass bus for sure.
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| notchboy wrote: |
| There are not many patina jobs out there that Id say are worth a damn. Oakman definitely took the time to restore and preserve what was there, making a very unique cool ass bus for sure. |
Thank you Jason. It's not perfect, but at least it takes your eyes from going right to it most of the time, and it looks a thousand times better than cut wells imo. I can't seem to ever get paint matched as good as I want it to be. The green is still too bright, especially depending on the light, but overall I'm happy with it. Sometimes I just have to say good enough or I will drive myself nuts.
Looking at the picture below reminds me that I need to get splash pans for the rear bumper 
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22460
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2020 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| oakman wrote: |
| notchboy wrote: |
| There are not many patina jobs out there that Id say are worth a damn. Oakman definitely took the time to restore and preserve what was there, making a very unique cool ass bus for sure. |
Thank you Jason. It's not perfect, but at least it takes your eyes from going right to it most of the time, and it looks a thousand times better than cut wells imo. I can't seem to ever get paint matched as good as I want it to be. The green is still too bright, especially depending on the light, but overall I'm happy with it. Sometimes I just have to say good enough or I will drive myself nuts.
Looking at the picture below reminds me that I need to get splash pans for the rear bumper
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Brother, Im talking about the whole thing. Not just your fake paint.  
Time and effort to restore the cabinets, the engine bay detail and all that little fiddly shit in between. Well done.
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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djway3474
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2011
Posts: 2582
Location: The Real NDK So Cal
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| Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2020 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| djway3474 wrote: |
Sweet.
Email sent.
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check your email Oct 15th, The Samba says an email was sent to you. Would show up as Everttb.
I feel better now that I know I'm not having hallucinations. 
Pictures look great. |
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von_hansel 
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 635
Location: Inland Empire
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| Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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I finally got to see this bus in the flesh and all I can say is WOW! Such a rad bus you have Brandon. Let me know if you ever want to trade
I drove to OCTO specifically so I could get a pic of our two velvet green and white buses together.
What a treat it was when Daniel showed up with his '64 SO35. I can't say I've ever seen two SO35s parked next to each other before.
Looking forward to our next campout together
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| Mugatu wrote: |
| von_hansel is so hot right now |
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| von_hansel wrote: |
I finally got to see this bus in the flesh and all I can say is WOW! Such a rad bus you have Brandon. Let me know if you ever want to trade
I drove to OCTO specifically so I could get a pic of our two velvet green and white buses together.
What a treat it was when Daniel showed up with his '64 SO35. I can't say I've ever seen two SO35s parked next to each other before.
Looking forward to our next campout together |
Johnny, what a great time and thanks for the pics! A much needed fun time for sure. My only complaint is that it was over too soon! Don't tempt me with a trade now, I LOVE walkthru buses. It was great to finally get them next to each other, they totally look like they were sitting out in the desert together for decades, the fades are so similar. Fun stuff, can't wait for the next one!!
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von_hansel
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 635
Location: Inland Empire
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:30 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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Keep us posted on your starter issue.
Also thank you for offering your Enders stove when my Coleman 413G was having issues.
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| Mugatu wrote: |
| von_hansel is so hot right now |
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3275
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:13 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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Great line up guys. We need to get a whole Westy village going on the next Spring Picnic.
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von_hansel
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 635
Location: Inland Empire
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
| Great line up guys. We need to get a whole Westy village going on the next Spring Picnic. |
I concur. Your velvet green will be the trifecta
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| Mugatu wrote: |
| von_hansel is so hot right now |
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| von_hansel wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Great line up guys. We need to get a whole Westy village going on the next Spring Picnic. |
I concur. Your velvet green will be the trifecta |
Westy Village! 
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| von_hansel wrote: |
Keep us posted on your starter issue.
Also thank you for offering your Enders stove when my Coleman 413G was having issues. |
I needed to get fuel on the way home so I left it running just in case it wouldn't start again.. I really think it's the starter bushing not being tight in the trans.
It didn't pop out of 4th all the way home which was nice.
The new engine pulls the bus up the Cajon Pass easily in 4th gear all the way, doing 60mph at about half throttle. I'm really happy with the power it has now.
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3275
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 11:10 pm Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| oakman wrote: |
| von_hansel wrote: |
Keep us posted on your starter issue.
Also thank you for offering your Enders stove when my Coleman 413G was having issues. |
I needed to get fuel on the way home so I left it running just in case it wouldn't start again.. I really think it's the starter bushing not being tight in the trans.
It didn't pop out of 4th all the way home which was nice.
The new engine pulls the bus up the Cajon Pass easily in 4th gear all the way, doing 60mph at about half throttle. I'm really happy with the power it has now. |
What motor spec did you end up going with? Did you change your gearing at all? At some point I want to build a bigger motor but try to keep it stock looking. Maybe a mild stroker but nothing crazy as i don't want to run extra cooling.
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AS350driver
Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2016
Posts: 1340
Location: Tucson
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:25 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| oakman wrote: |
| von_hansel wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Great line up guys. We need to get a whole Westy village going on the next Spring Picnic. |
I concur. Your velvet green will be the trifecta |
Westy Village! |
We can form a green Westy mafia ....
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:21 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
What motor spec did you end up going with? Did you change your gearing at all? At some point I want to build a bigger motor but try to keep it stock looking. Maybe a mild stroker but nothing crazy as i don't want to run extra cooling. |
Hey Todd, it's a stock geared bus trans as far as I know. No extra cooling on the engine or anything, just a screw on filter where the oil pump is. No full flow. Most of the drive up the pass I'm barely touching the accelerator. Even on that last, super steep dreaded climb of the pass, I was able to just keep it in the sweet spot right about 60, and was about half throttle from what I could tell. It pulls like a Cummins
Here's what I know: 1915cc, stock cam, 69mm stroke, counterweighted crank, 9.29:1 compression. The heads are hemi-cut, 0.01 deck height, dual Weber 40's, the exhaust is the sidewinder knock off, not stainless. Still 6 volt. It achieved it's full torque on the dyno at 2500 rpm (126 ft lb). Made 87 hp on dyno. I've never built an engine but I've pulled and installed them countless times This engine was built by Mohr Performance in Apple Valley, Ca. Joel Mohr is a longtime Vw engine and trans builder, drag racer, desert racer etc. I have a great running 1600 in my Mango that he also built.
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3275
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:28 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| oakman wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
What motor spec did you end up going with? Did you change your gearing at all? At some point I want to build a bigger motor but try to keep it stock looking. Maybe a mild stroker but nothing crazy as i don't want to run extra cooling. |
Hey Todd, it's a stock geared bus trans as far as I know. No extra cooling on the engine or anything, just a screw on filter where the oil pump is. No full flow. Most of the drive up the pass I'm barely touching the accelerator. Even on that last, super steep dreaded climb of the pass, I was able to just keep it in the sweet spot right about 60, and was about half throttle from what I could tell.
Here's what I know: 1915cc, stock cam, 69mm stroke, 9.29:1 compression. The heads are hemi-cut, 0.01 deck height, dual Weber 40's, the exhaust is the sidewinder knock off, not stainless. Still 6 volt. It achieved it's full torque on the dyno at 2500 rpm (126 ft lb). Made 87 hp on dyno. I've never built an engine but I've pulled and installed them countless times This engine was built by Mohr Performance in Apple Valley, Ca. Joel Mohr is a longtime Vw engine and trans builder, drag racer, desert racer etc. I have a great running 1600 in my Mango that he also built. |
Sounds like its working well. My bus is happy at 60 (Bignut) but I'd like to be able to stay in 4th on the hills instead of dropping to 3rd. Thanks!
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:29 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| AS350driver wrote: |
We can form a green Westy mafia ....
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The 'Velvet Green Westfalia Subhatch Mafia' is a very exclusive club from what I understand, only like three or four members world-wide!
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Brandon |
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oakman
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014
Posts: 1715
Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:37 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
Sounds like its working well. My bus is happy at 60 (Bignut) but I'd like to be able to stay in 4th on the hills instead of dropping to 3rd. Thanks! |
After the long climb up the Cajon, I exited the freeway and pulled over to grab the dipstick and just listen to the engine. It wasn't too hot, and it was idling like normal and sounded good. I have around 700 miles on this new engine, so far so good.
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von_hansel
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 635
Location: Inland Empire
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 10:25 am Post subject: Re: 1965 westfalia so-35 flipseat |
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| oakman wrote: |
| The new engine pulls the bus up the Cajon Pass easily in 4th gear all the way, doing 60mph at about half throttle. I'm really happy with the power it has now. |
DANG! Happy for you. That is impressive
I'm going to be doing 35mph in the slow lane, racing the big rigs with my 1600dp when I come up for one of our campouts. You make me want to build that 1915 I have access to.
| AS350driver wrote: |
We can form a green Westy mafia ....
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Velvet Green Scoundrels
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| Mugatu wrote: |
| von_hansel is so hot right now |
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