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nineteensixtyfiveVG
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009
Posts: 456
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:36 pm Post subject: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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Hi Guys,
Would appreciate some opinions here. This bus seems to be fairly priced to me consider its a good running bus and everything is there.
I am looking for just a driver. I do not want to restore it. That means I would just leave the rust as is for now. Maybe in time start to tackle it but for the sake of conversation I wouldnt want to mess with any of this rust for a couple of years.
I know a few of these spots look rough. What do you think? Can this bus be driven as is for a while in this condition?
I havent heard from the owner or set anything up to see it yet. Just wanted to get a little feedback first.
Lots of detailed pics and the price are in the link below. The owner might even be on here, if so maybe he has some good feedback on this question. Ill be sure to ask him anyway when i can get in contact with him.
Last edited by nineteensixtyfiveVG on Sat Oct 21, 2017 6:28 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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aa390392
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007
Posts: 3602
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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Looks as though u can drive it...and as time allows collect replace panels/sheet metal you can have the work done as you go, or just leave it alone...I'MO
Thomas
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51125
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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None of that looks structural from what I can see, but stay out of the puddles  .
Better get some agreed value insurance though, if someone runs a light and T bones you most appraisers will consider that a write off as it sits now without a big dint in the side.
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nineteensixtyfiveVG
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009
Posts: 456
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
None of that looks structural from what I can see, but stay out of the puddles .
Better get some agreed value insurance though, if someone runs a light and T bones you most appraisers will consider that a write off as it sits now without a big dint in the side. |
thanks for the feedback, yah I dont think it is too bad. I wouldnt mind getting the front floor done but really just want to leave it all as is for a while.
What do you think of the price? Does it seem fair? |
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Clara 
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12399
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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It looks fairly low rust for an unrestored bus.
Bottom line, yes you could definitely rock that bus and have fun camping w/o having to do a resto or spend on rust repair. |
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Malokin Martin
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007
Posts: 3099
Location: E-burg
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| Clara wrote: |
It looks fairly low rust for an unrestored bus.
Bottom line, yes you could definitely rock that bus and have fun camping w/o having to do a resto or spend on rust repair. |
I’m with this. As long as the doors shut/lock properly. I feel like the rust isn’t that bad in comparison to other “projects” people buy. People aren’t falling over each other to get at a Montgomery Ward camper... but it’s still a cool bus. The price (for me) is kind of gnarly. But that’s kind of par for the course on there. You’re paying a premium for a found, cleaned and properly presented vehicle. That’s top dollar (even with the dicker down) and you’d loose money for sure on a short flip if you lost interest. Even so, you know for sure what you’re getting. Kind of worth it.
It’s never a great deal on Old Bug, but it’s usually a fair one.
Last edited by Malokin Martin on Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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AS350driver
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Joined: April 17, 2016
Posts: 1340
Location: Tucson
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| Of that rust, the areas I'd fix first are the jacking points and the rust in the wheelwells behind the front wheels. You need to be able to jack it up properly and the holes behind the front wheels will trap further mud and debris and cause very hard to fix rust in the top hat/crossmember area and that is more structural. The front floorboards and rockers you could defer for a while. IMHO |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22641
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:07 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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That's a ridiculous price for a rusty bus. Rust is always 5x worse than it looks.
For that money, 20k, you can do much better with patience
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12399
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:41 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| AS350driver wrote: |
| Of that rust, the areas I'd fix first are the jacking points and the rust in the wheelwells behind the front wheels. You need to be able to jack it up properly and the holes behind the front wheels will trap further mud and debris and cause very hard to fix rust in the top hat/crossmember area and that is more structural. The front floorboards and rockers you could defer for a while. IMHO |
FWIW, I never expect to be able to use the jacking points to jack up a bus. That is why God invented floor jacks.
Asking if it needs rust repair is like asking what oil to buy, or what the best baseball team is. all kinds of opinions. Some people (like me) are enjoy a 'patina driver' or 'beater driver' that is not restored. Some people look down on that, and there are all kinds in the world.
If YOU feel you require a rust free shiny bus to be happy, that is what you should get. Look at pics of BlackStar campouts and there are a lot of buses that have rocker rust and non-shiny paint.
It is entirely possible to drive a bus with some rust in the rockers and jackpoints. IMO that is cosmetic. You can look at my 56 westy thread... bus had rust in those places and worse, and that did not interfere with enjoying it. Though I admit it is nicer to have no rust holes and new seals so it is not drafty, and I was not big on water coming through the front floor. It did cost a bunch of money and time to make the rust go away. But if you live in SO Cal it rarely rains anyway.
Was driving my April 61 the other day and the rusty rockers and jackpoints don't bother me. They haven't really gotten worse over 20 years. (it mostly is garaged) I love the way that bus drives, light and tight. I love the way it sounds. I love the corner windows. I love the Pioneer Supertuner. I love the SWR dash.
I don't love the old seals on the door tops.
It was stormy and the rain was dripping at the front door tops onto the front seat. It leaks on the left side, and it leaks on the right side. The safaris also leak. The safari towels were dripping into puddles on the floor. The whole thing was leaking like the Welsh. Ya, I should install new seals and quit my bitchen. (which was not about holes in rockers)
Again, not a problem in the LA area.
Whether you should buy the green bus? While I disagree it's rusty, I do agree that Montgomery Ward campers are not the most desirable.
Do some looking around to be an educated buyer and get an idea what a driver bus sells for. What do you get for $20K ?
Do you get a rust free, good driving bus in the most desirable models?
Here are buses FS on the samba from 10K to 25K, some are drivers:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search |
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nineteensixtyfiveVG
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009
Posts: 456
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:55 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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[quote="Clara"]
| AS350driver wrote: |
Whether you should buy the green bus? While I disagree it's rusty, I do agree that Montgomery Ward campers are not the most desirable.
Do some looking around to be an educated buyer and get an idea what a driver bus sells for. What do you get for $20K ?
Do you get a rust free, good driving bus in the most desirable models?
Here are buses FS on the samba from 10K to 25K, some are drivers:
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Thanks, I really appreciate the detailed feedback. Thats the part Im struggling with. I really like the originally look and dont mind the rust as long as its not structural. I am trying to figure out if this bus is worth 20k. To me its got a very nice complete interior and seems to be ready to go. I really want a bus I can just go out and camp in and enjoy and that really seems to fit the bill. I just dont want to pay 50% more than it is worth. When I search through the classified for 20k I dont see anything much better. I see some dry buses but they all look like they need another 5-10k to be road and camping ready. |
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Erik G
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13270
Location: Tejas!
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:03 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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It's a kombi, instead of a panel with hacked in windows. FWIW, It's worth more than any panel based camper in the same condition.
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Harleyelf
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2009
Posts: 1572
Location: Appleton, WI
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:07 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| If you want to drive it as is, that's the best deal you're going to find in the Southland. If you dream of turning a profit on the bus, keep looking because it's already at the pricepoint of a rust-free non-camper. |
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hitest
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 10296
Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:16 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| billstickly1 wrote: |
I just dont want to pay 50% more than it is worth.
When I search through the classified for 20k I dont see anything much better. |
To be frank- we're done here. I'm not trying to be a dick but do you really think you can find a bus here or on any brokerage site for 50% of it's value? If this is your goal- use this place for help and research, but you're a Craigslist shopper for the bus you want. I am not negative but realistic about your market. I bought my rusty but complete and very fun Westfalia camper for a 1/3 of that velvet bus' price but I shop locally. Did I get a good deal, maybe, but it was appropriate for my market and budget.
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I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
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TheVintageVw
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004
Posts: 654
Location: Porter Ranch California
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:34 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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I think that bus is worth 20k. Again as others have mentioned, you and i both are in los angeles. We dont have the luxury of bar finds. I had to ship my bus from South Carolina.
The market is hot, and i doubt its going to cool off. If you want a bus and have the funds now is the right time. You arent going to find a bus listed anywhere on the internet for a "steal" Sellers know the market and take advantage. |
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dirtslinger
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2009
Posts: 392
Location: South Bay, So Cal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:37 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| hitest wrote: |
| billstickly1 wrote: |
I just dont want to pay 50% more than it is worth.
When I search through the classified for 20k I dont see anything much better. |
To be frank- we're done here. I'm not trying to be a dick but do you really think you can find a bus here or on any brokerage site for 50% of it's value? If this is your goal- use this place for help and research, but you're a Craigslist shopper for the bus you want. I am not negative but realistic about your market. I bought my rusty but complete and very fun Westfalia camper for a 1/3 of that velvet bus' price but I shop locally. Did I get a good deal, maybe, but it was appropriate for my market and budget. |
Just to clarify, he said 50% "more" than it's value, not 50% of it's value.
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nineteensixtyfiveVG
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009
Posts: 456
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:51 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| hitest wrote: |
| billstickly1 wrote: |
I just dont want to pay 50% more than it is worth.
When I search through the classified for 20k I dont see anything much better. |
To be frank- we're done here. I'm not trying to be a dick but do you really think you can find a bus here or on any brokerage site for 50% of it's value? If this is your goal- use this place for help and research, but you're a Craigslist shopper for the bus you want. I am not negative but realistic about your market. I bought my rusty but complete and very fun Westfalia camper for a 1/3 of that velvet bus' price but I shop locally. Did I get a good deal, maybe, but it was appropriate for my market and budget. |
I think you misunderstood my post. I am happy to pay a fair price for both the buyer and the seller I just didnt want to get caught paying 50% more than what it was worth and I am just out of the loop on pricing. |
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aa390392
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007
Posts: 3602
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:53 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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Pull the trigger already...are you mechanically inclined? Find a good VW shop if not...enjoy it.
It's a nice camper for the money...and a great guest house if need be.
Cheers
Thomas
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!
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nineteensixtyfiveVG
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009
Posts: 456
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:30 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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| aa390392 wrote: |
Pull the trigger already...are you mechanically inclined? Find a good VW shop if not...enjoy it.
It's a nice camper for the money...and a great guest house if need be.
Cheers
Thomas |
thanks. I am going to look at it tomorrow. I can do a little work myself. I have owned some buses before and dealt with lots of the issues that can come up. |
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3274
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:39 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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For 20k I think you can do better:
Here's a real Westy, fairly complete, for $19.5k:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2095394
Or if you don't want or need to have a real Westy, this is pretty nice:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2087736
I would buy this (probably for less than 16k) and spend a few grand on a nice RJ Camper interior for it (or make one if your handy).
I would consider either one of these campers a better bus and the real Westy a better investment. Also, having a Poptop to stand up in while in the bus is HUGE when camping. Not to mention the extra ventilation.
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Last edited by srfndoc on Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:58 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Lind
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000
Posts: 9913
Location: idaho
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| Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:07 am Post subject: Re: I want to buy this bus, is it too rusty to leave as is? (Pics) |
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Drive the bus and see how it feels.
Does it drive well and feel solid?
Does it drive like utter crap?
How does the feel compare to the last ten buses you have driven? If you have not driven ten buses recently, do some shopping around and see how the competition feels.
Plan on spending plenty of money on the mechanicals of any bus you buy. Like thousands of dollars. It is truly rare to buy a VW at any level that does not need at least $1000 of mechanical work, and it is usually much more.
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