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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:52 pm Post subject: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Sometime in 1983 a 1960 SO23 that I shall call Mole, took it’s last drive and began a new life with the purpose of providing shelter from severe storms, especially tornadoes, in eastern Oklahoma. Buried in the red dirt south of Stidham by a resourceful gentleman for 30+ years, it would be 25 years before Mole would be seen by a hunter who recognized the outline of an early Volkswagen Bus. It so happened that this hunter was the employer of one of our Samba family, Adam, aka Okie Adam.
Upon hearing of this bus, Adam, like any responsible Sambaista, and a friend went to find it.
Again recognizing the familiar roofline, Adam approached the owner and asked about the status of the bus. No, the bus wasn’t for sale... it was a shelter, after all!
Years passed by and again Adam went to check on the bus. However this time the owner was nowhere to be found. He had passed away. Adam tried in vain to establish the new owners, only to leave notes and talk to neighbors who were less than enthusiastic about talking to a stranger.
So more years went by. This is when I enter the picture. As some of you may have noticed, I have been trying to trade my ’64 DC for a Westy in the Samba Classifieds for some time now. While many nice offers where made, none were the exactly what I was looking for. So I put it up for sale. During this time, Adam, bless his heart, brought this bus to my attention several times. But I wasn’t looking for a project. So months went by before I finally agreed to go look at the bus with him.
What we found made me rethink my refusal of a project. So, based on the sparse information Adam had on the possible owner, I made it my mission to find them. And find them I did. We talked on the phone and I made my offer. He accepted. Adam and I met him at the property of his now deceased brother and made a more thorough inspection of the bus.
Now it was time to organize a work party to rescue the Mole. By the way, I refer to the bus as the Mole because we had to destroy the home of the mole in the extraction. He wasn’t happy…. So through our VW friends and their friends we rounded up a party of 12 hard working individuals that I will be forever indebted. This is what the true VW community is all about: helping each other in our quest to honor these fine cars. I hope this spirit never dies. It sure hasn’t in Oklahoma and Kansas!
On Saturday the 14th, we all met at the location of the bus at 9am and got to work. By 2:30 we were loaded up and ready to head home. I have to give great credit to Adam and Danielle, Kyle, Rick, Eric, Taylor, Waldo, John and Debby, David, Randy and of course Mr. Henley the former owner. Great things happen with great people! Thanks for indulging in my story and enjoy the pictures of the unearthing of Mole.
_________________ "My ex-wife had a hint of a beard and she looked like a manly-girl... that made no difference..."
Drive 'em if ya got 'em, and don't brag if you didn't do the work yourself...
'64 SO34
'60 SO23 |
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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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The crew:
Top Row:
John and Debby, Waldo, Adam, Me, Taylor, Mr. Henley (former owner)
Bottom Row:
Randy, David, Eric, Kyle _________________ "My ex-wife had a hint of a beard and she looked like a manly-girl... that made no difference..."
Drive 'em if ya got 'em, and don't brag if you didn't do the work yourself...
'64 SO34
'60 SO23 |
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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 Apr 15, 2018 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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I'm speechless!!! _________________ Brandon |
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velvetgreen Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2004 Posts: 2746 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Fantastic story- really like reading about these rescue efforts- sheet metal looks surprisingly good given how long it has been sunk in the dirt!
Looks fwd to reading more about this!! |
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Sumguy Everett's Parts Holder
Joined: August 11, 2006 Posts: 276 Location: NOR-CAL
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Amazing find and great story!!! |
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srfndoc Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010 Posts: 3275 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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What a rescue! That thing looks surprisingly dry for being buried like it was.
Can't wait for more updates. _________________ RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches |
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EmpiGT Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 2597
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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That pass side looks allot like the patina on my old so23 from east okie.
Cool Story!! |
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billybob57 Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2007 Posts: 104 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Very Nice Dig out and story. Good Luck with the resto! _________________ "It is what it is"
55 Panel
56 Double Door |
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Okie Adam Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2003 Posts: 1347 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Okies ain't scared! I'm proud that I got to be a part of the dig out! _________________ Oil Capital Air Cooled
55 Wolfsburg Kombi
60 Walkthrough Kombi
62 Single Cab
66 21window
67 so42
76 Westy
64 Karmann Ghia |
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Derek Cobb Annoying
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Are you planning to restore it or preserve it? Either way it's a great story! |
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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Plan on getting it back on the road... Not sure how far the 'restoration' will go until I get further into it.... _________________ "My ex-wife had a hint of a beard and she looked like a manly-girl... that made no difference..."
Drive 'em if ya got 'em, and don't brag if you didn't do the work yourself...
'64 SO34
'60 SO23 |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51153 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Wow!, now that's a hell of a story and an epic extraction, nice work all of you! And the bus looks remarkably good after 35 years with a foot (or 3) in the grave.
Looking forward to seeing progress on this bus, things can only go "up" from here _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24764 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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You are going to need to make out of long thin piping a way to wash out each of the underside frame members, rockers, etc., to get out any dirt/crud that has gotten into those. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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EmpiGT Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 2597
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Looks like they cut out the torsion housing. do you have a donor for that? I may have a spare after I go pick up a parts bus in a couple weeks |
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obus Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001 Posts: 11070 Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12401
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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emzee503 Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 16 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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love seeing rescues like this |
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OG Velvet Samba Family Man
Joined: February 24, 2003 Posts: 2168 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Awesome! _________________ '67 13 Window
'77 Westy
'69 Sunroof Beetle
'65 Honda Dream |
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Skim Rants Master
Joined: April 15, 2001 Posts: 17082 Location: GFK 31 Year Vet
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Amazing condition for being buried like it was. Awesome find! _________________ GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint |
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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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EmpiGT... yes they cut out the torsion housing along with about two feet of frame. I have already located and acquired a donor, but thanks for the offer! I will be doing a lot of searching and purchasing in the future for sure.... _________________ "My ex-wife had a hint of a beard and she looked like a manly-girl... that made no difference..."
Drive 'em if ya got 'em, and don't brag if you didn't do the work yourself...
'64 SO34
'60 SO23 |
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