sheet metal question...

[STUNNED MULLET]

HI all, I want to start working on this rust repair on my 78. I found a donor vehicle (same year), and was thinking on just cutting the panels from it as it is a dry bus. he wants 600 for all the sheetmetal I need. both sides down the middle of the bus, both rear quarter panels for the wheel wells, and both rear pieces that are on the back of the front wheel wells, and the whole slider door. I have seen some repair panels from EIS parts, that would probably do the trick, but I want to see if the original sheet metal would be a stronger/better option vs the internet stuff? kinda weird question... but I trust your guys opinions on this site... thanks in advance

[TomWesty]

Original metal is better. Is the donor shell better than your bus? Perhaps you could just swap your stuff into his shell. You probably already thought of that.
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[ateneo]

[Westfalia73]

Original panels will be so much better than the aftermarket, some of the aftermarket panels are shit imo.
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1973 tintop westfalia weekender.
1973 beetle.
1981 Brazilian baywindow kombi.

[Keith]

I only use original metal when possible, if not I go to the best quality parts I can find, and those aren't usually sold through the normal places that sell junk.
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

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[STUNNED MULLET]

ok... I figured that was going to be the unanimous opinion... thanks guys. I need a lot from this donor, so hopefully he will make me a good deal. tanks a million...

[Keith]

Who is your donor? I need more pieces cut for my '78
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[lil-jinx]

I bought a donor bus,$400, it was a rusted heap,best $400, I ever spent on parts,Try to get the complete donor bus from seller.
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1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[HelmutofBuffalo]

Something about the old German steel makes it "work" easier when hammering out dents, welding etc. the steel used in most parts today seems IMO "brittle or stiff" . Even when fixing rust damage I always preferred sheet metal from a donor vehicle to new metal. I believe it has something to do with the smelting process.
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1979 Type I Convertible

[Wasted youth]

Matt, it really sucks they cannot release the entire bus, so you are really at their mercy. Try to convince them not to use the Oxy-Ace torch... even though they say they'll cut six inches above what you need.

Get a carborundum blade for a Skil saw, set the depth of the blade to 1/4 inch, then snap out chalk string lines on the body and make nice smooth cuts. Use a Sawzall to reach into the pockets and cut the weird angles.

[Manfred58sc]

OG by a mile, and follow the above recommendations for proper cutting.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[nemobuscaptain]

It unanimous that original is better.

However, I sure wish people WOULDNT cut up good solid busses.
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[STUNNED MULLET]

Hi all, after pleading with the owner, they decided to sell the whole bus. I went down this morning and bought it... yikes... its SUPER SUPER dry... the cargo floor looks ridicoulsy clean. The only rot is the rear corners and the battery tray. No motor or trans, and no middle or rear seats. Missing bumpers, and steering wheel.

[Tcash]

Champagne anyone?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636023&highlight=champagne+edition

[Tcash]

What is the M-Plate numbers?
M-Plate Location

[Wasted youth]

So glad you could work that out. Just the jewelry alone (hasps, latches, cranks, glass, knobs, etc.) is worth the fight for it.

Not sure if you can get this moved through DMV to get it registered again, but if so IMO this would have WAY more value in the end if it was restored to a daily driver.

But I think we talked about that...

[STUNNED MULLET]

I am definitely going to try to get it back registered before the cut.. but wasted youth... weren't we talking about the pain and misery of the swap?!!!

[rusty busty]

Nice! Champagne edition. My vote is don't cut it up if at all possible.
A dry Champaign edition should be saved!
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1978 CEII Get-away hightop

[STUNNED MULLET]

I like to refer to it as sham pag knee.... LOL!!

[Wasted youth]