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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:36 pm Post subject: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Had a visit from an old friend we hadn't seen in years and she asked about the vw's parked everywhere and I told her this is my hobby. Donna said, " My friends Yvonne and Randy have an old bus that's been sitting in their backyard for years. People are always asking to buy it but she won't sell. Her grandmother bought it new." I said "Well, put in a good word for me and tell her I'll take good care of it." Donna left to go see Yvonne and my phone rang 30 minutes later. "She says go by and look at it and if Randy says ok you can buy it."
Randy was a nice host and we had a lovely visit with me making an absurdly low offer and him saying lets call the boss. She says "whatever pops says". We shook on it and now here's what you all really want:
As found:
Those are from Sunday. My buddies and I went and dug it out and slapped the wheels from my '57 beetle on it and drug it home yesterday: (me in the blue shirt. Props to Shane, Ben, and Sam. Thanks guys!
I've always wanted a split window but never thought I'd find one. Especially 8 miles away. That's been sitting there since 1984. ("it was running when we parked it there"). That has rust in all the usual places. That has a stuck engine decklid so I couldn't even look at the motor. That is grey but has been brushed light yellow. That only cost me 500 bucks. I can't believe my luck with this.
I will keep the pictures coming as I work on this. You all can have a good laugh as I make one stupid mistake after another. So please let me know what you see and what I'm doing wrong; don't worry about hurting my feelings-I spent the past year in the baywindow forum. Those guys eat newbies for lunch every day.
Byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
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Last edited by Gwdghiaguy on Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:23 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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mandraks Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004 Posts: 7045 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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looks like a 63 walkthrough panel camper conversion? cool _________________ regards
Uli
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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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mandraks wrote: |
looks like a 63 walkthrough panel camper conversion? cool |
you already know more about it than me. thanks for the look see and comment! does that mean Westfalia? _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
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Last edited by Gwdghiaguy on Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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mandraks Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004 Posts: 7045 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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does not look like a Westfalia camper.
Crawl behind the passenger seat backrest and look at the m-code plate.
That way you will know just about everything you need to know about how it left the factory. _________________ regards
Uli
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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69733 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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EverettB wrote: |
Cool, you got it! Congrats! |
or did you mean condolences? thanks for your help the other day! Getting ready to post more pics. I think one or two may interest everyone.
byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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I'm going to do this in installments. I've gotten almost done with my post twice and it suddenly disappears. arrrrrrrgh!
Got home and started unwrapping my new toy. Rust first (and there's a lot):
this isn't as bad as my baywindow was:
And the bottoms of the front and cargo doors are all shot. My welding is going to have to improve.
byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Some more interior shots. I've read the 'how to tell which camper conversion you have' sticky and i'm still confused. A little help here please!:
under the seat right behind the front passenger seat:
not sure any of the woodwork will be salvageable:
there is a table hiding behind that hammock:
found the church key right where it was supposed to be:
obligatory speedo shot:
pulled the back seat forward to see what was behind it:
camping goodies under the other seat:
original radio I guess:
more in a minute.
byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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exterior shots:
my friend called it a camo paint job. I politely told him we call it 'patina':
SC inspection sticker from May 83:
for the awning I guess:
I don't think its been hit in the front. looks pretty straight to me:
I think I forgot to include this one in the rust shots:
byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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these are the money shots I believe:
found these. part of the awning? should there be more?
found these in the back. they are in great shape so I called Yvonne (who is a seamstress) to ask if she made them. she says they are original. would you all agree?:
got the decklid open. looks pretty complete to me. sure is a big fat distributor. tried to turn it by hand. nope. not surprised.
not too bad under here:
found in the front seat:
and finally my m-code info:
thanks for looking in. clean up starts later this week.
byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Last edited by Gwdghiaguy on Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Pez Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2003 Posts: 583 Location: Texarkana
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
thanks for looking in. clean up starts later this week.
byron |
My OCD is dying to see the clean up. Bet it will clean up great! Good looking find and thanks for posting the pics! _________________ Always chasing Squirrel's. |
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Pinetops Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2007 Posts: 2987
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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A good pressure washing is going to work wonders on this old bus, great score! _________________ "A rolling bus gathers no rust." |
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oakman Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2014 Posts: 1708 Location: Edge of the Desert, Ca
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Congratulations!! Cool bus! Your camper conversion is called "The Alabama Camper", made by Miller Wood & Metal Products, Mt Olive, Al.
Here's a thread I started on my Alabama Camper, lots of info in here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=595804&highlight=montgomery
A few examples of this camper kit have surfaced recently. There are little differences in them from year to year, the later kits have trim around the closet door, different spice rack, curtain valances, and the tables are rounded on all the corners. They came in both Kombi or Panel conversions.
1963 brochure:
Nice score on the tent pieces. Looks like you are missing a side panel, but cool thing is you have the awning. There are more poles than that, but easy to re-make since they are just electrical conduit. I finally was able to find a tent for mine a few months ago, there are pictures in my thread. Looking forward to following along! _________________ Brandon |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69733 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:41 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
got the decklid open. looks pretty complete to me. sure is a big fat distributor. tried to turn it by hand. nope. not surprised.
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This looks like a pretty original 1500cc engine.
Probably the original engine since it appears to have all the correct parts _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
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BarryL Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004 Posts: 14216 Location: Casa de Oro, California
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
for the awning I guess |
Yes but where is the rear one?
Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
found these. part of the awning? should there be more? |
Yes more pole pieces.
EverettB wrote: |
This looks like a pretty original 1500cc engine.
Probably the original engine since it appears to have all the correct parts |
So original that I bet the speedo number is original miles not turned over.
Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
original radio I guess: |
Yes but the bezel is on the outside kinda' like wearing your underwear on the outside.
Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
found these in the back. they are in great shape so I called Yvonne (who is a seamstress) to ask if she made them. she says they are original. would you all agree? |
Yes
Nice steering wheel and horn button. |
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rennie Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2016 Posts: 246 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Gwdghiaguy wrote: |
Some more interior shots... |
How exciting!! Love the 'grandmother bought it new' history.
What's above the radio on the dash... magnets, or did grandma add gauges?
Congratulations!! |
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:42 am Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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rennie wrote: |
Love the 'grandmother bought it new' history.
What's above the radio on the dash... magnets, or did grandma add gauges?
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Good eye. Yes, they are just magnets. I also love the grandma part. And she had to have been a grandmother when she bought it since Yvonne is my age or a little older (late 50's, early 60's). I can see her as a kind of rebel; I mean who buys a new vw camper at that age?
byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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exotic plants Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 298 Location: God's Zoo
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:58 am Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Holy shit Byron, you have the best VW luck. What a terrific rare bus find!
About as complete as can be had. Pure awesome.
Congrats man.
P.S.
Still no progress on Cinderella. Work has kept me too busy. _________________ 1956 Beetle - Jungle Green.
Parts needed to complete:
Front driver side fender.
Rear driver side fender.
Cash waiting.
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:24 am Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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exotic plants wrote: |
Holy shit Byron, you have the best VW luck. What a terrific rare bus find!
About as complete as can be had. Pure awesome.
Congrats man.
P.S.
Still no progress on Cinderella. Work has kept me too busy. |
how can you let a little thing like work or life interrupt something that important? good to hear from you! your bay is my daily driver now and i get horn honks and waves every morning. my wife says i'm just spreading vw love around town. byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Gwdghiaguy Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2013 Posts: 340 Location: Greenwood, SC
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Byron's '63 Camper |
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Started cleaning out the camper:
wonder if this was for cooking or some 'other' reason?:
And grandma knew her vw's. Full can of Castrol 10w-40. When was this stuff $1.37 a quart? Long time ago.
And a Coleman model 502 stove in pretty good shape:
Already had one of these that belonged to my grandfather. Now I have two:
Complete kitchen was hiding under that seat:
Table works. And the floor is in great shape for the most part. A layer of some sort of tar paper then asbestos (i'll bet) floor tiles then some 70's orange shag carpet protected it pretty well. Except where the cargo doors close. That part is bad. Actually it's not even there.
And into every project some rain must fall. I've been PB blasting and beating on this bitch every evening since Tuesday. I am NOT going to buy the $140 puller from amazon. I may change my mind next week. I have been able to get it to move about an eighth of an inch so there has been some progress. And then I'll have to do the same thing on the OTHER side! And THEN I can roll it into the shop.
both front wheels are frozen:
Link
Thanks for looking in on me.
Byron _________________ 1957 Oval Window
1963 Alabama Camper Bus
1971 Ghia
1971 Baywindow Bus
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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