1951 Deluxe Micro Bus discovered - Second Oldest Samba

[Davydomes]

[Davydomes]

https://www.magzter.com/preview/5147/227551#page/1
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I only went to look at it!

"Mum, Dad ………. I'm Bay"

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Jean-Jaques Rousseau

[RockStock]

There's a tiny picture of the VIN plate, but no mention yet of the actual number.

As others, Im not feeling it for this bus
Too far gone
It then becomes one of those bland sterile Reshells, doesnt it? A VIN Donor.
All its early fingerprints (original detail/authenticity) lost

Although I guess if that considerate magician Spicer gets commissioned it stands some chance!
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-StockRocks-

[sgmalt46]

ya it's too far gone and should be left as is and put in a museum. maybe build a new one with all gerson metal and just use the vin plate ? and put it next to that heap in the museum ? just a thought. like a before and after
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55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG

[vwjetboat]

some people have more money then they know what to do with I guess.. but I see absolutely no purpose in restoring this bus... pointing at it when done and saying.. hey.. see that vin plate.. and 4 inch of metal around that tail light.. thats the 2nd oldest bus made..

[David Eccles]

This is what I have been told by Florian
chassis #20-015448, dating from 27th August 1951 and delivered one day later to the Autohaus Fleischhauer in Cologne
which puts it in the first 100 built if it is true (I have no reason to believe otherwise)
There is allegedly one older one in existence somewhere, but no-one seems to know any verifiable facts about that one...and there are conflicting stories about its authenticity - but again these are just what people say or think.
Busben is spot on about how things can go into print or on social media and become taken by many as fact and there would appear to be a whole lot of misinformations/misunderstandings/misconceptions about this bus in circulation in the media ...

[Davydomes]

Perhaps because there is so little of this "bus" left the article should have been titled "is this the World's second oldest VIN plate in existence"
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I only went to look at it!

"Mum, Dad ………. I'm Bay"

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Jean-Jaques Rousseau

[Alan Brase]

[joey1320]

I will echo the sentiment that this bus should be kept as is. I mean, once finished what exactly will be original metal - 10% of it, if that? Glad that it was found but all you really have is a vin plate.
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**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[chrissev2]

I guess we'll see what is actually left of it once they start the process of recovering what is left of the original metal. Right now it is just a mass of rust. The existing side wall might be salvageable and there are other parts on it that might be possible to save. Or it might all turn into dust when hit by the sandblaster.

I remember reading through the long thread in which the 1938 Beetle was restored and when they showcased what they were able to save of the car "as found" it was pretty much just a damaged shell and some bits and pieces. Most of the restored car is not original. But at the same time, it is cool to have an actual 1938 Beetle in existence, even if most of it is not original.

When you are dealing with vehicles this old and this rare, you restore whatever you are able to save.

At any rate I look forward to seeing what they actually CAN save of this bus as it appears to be a very rare bus indeed.
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1986 westfalia auto 1.9TD
2023 VW Atlas 3.6 VR6 Highline
2019 Golf Wagon 4 motion
1978 Volkswagen super beetle convertible
1992 Eurovan 2.5 5spd westfalia

[chrissev2]

This bus actually looks better than a couple of the "out of the swamp" barndoors that have been brought back to life on here. More stuff there and it appears to have an engine even.
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1986 westfalia auto 1.9TD
2023 VW Atlas 3.6 VR6 Highline
2019 Golf Wagon 4 motion
1978 Volkswagen super beetle convertible
1992 Eurovan 2.5 5spd westfalia

[Alan Brase]

[Alan Brase]

Now a year and months later there is immense progress on this thing and what nice work they are doing.
This bus is in exactly the right hands.
It might be near 50% new metal when done but there is VERY MUCH of the original there.
Inspiring for us all.
Al
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Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[dualbay]

[chrissev2]

[nzvwfan]

Where can we view the thread on the rebuild ?

[mandraks]

https://blog.entfallteiledienst.de/

the link from post 1 on page 1 re-directs there as well
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[nzvwfan]

Thank you

[Magion]

I have been watching Florian every week, following his updates and articles. As someone mentioned here this bus is in right hands. It will take some time but at the end, I am sure, it will look amazing.

Keep it up, great work!
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1975 Westfalia in Brilliant Orange
1995 Westfalia in Caribbean Green

[ratmann]

Nice to meet you @ spa Florian, keep on the good work