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Two Glove Boxes Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Texas
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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_________________ drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12383
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Glad to see this thread pop up again! _________________ The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/ |
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AS350driver Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2016 Posts: 1340 Location: Tucson
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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This bus will be much more effective as a driver than it was as a tornado shelter. It wasn’t buried deep enough to do much good against a tornado stronger than perhaps an EF1, maybe EF2. Better than staying in a mobile home or RV though I guess. This was just an F3, imagine trying to ride it out in The Mole. At 2:43, that’s a skilsaw blade hitting the plexiglass (4” reinforced I think?). Now think about doing it in an EF4 or EF5.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v075d9Vfqcg |
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Okie Adam Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2003 Posts: 1345 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Although often devastating there's nothing quite as thrilling as tornado season. I think I'd rather be in a half buried mole than trying to outrun a tornado in a running/driving mole _________________ 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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AS350driver Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2016 Posts: 1340 Location: Tucson
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Okie Adam wrote: |
Although often devastating there's nothing quite as thrilling as tornado season. I think I'd rather be in a half buried mole than trying to outrun a tornado in a running/driving mole |
When I was a kid, we lived in a single wide trailer, and our farm was right slap dab in the middle of the Dixie Tornado Alley. The tornadoes there are typically rain wrapped, and often hit at night. Very hard to see, especially with all the hills and trees. At least in Oklahoma, you have a chance of seeing one coming. When bad weather would hit, and it seemed our mobile mansion was about to shake off its axles, my dad would pile everyone into the trusty ‘71 Ford LTD and try to make it to a tunnel under the railroad tracks about 5 miles away to ride it out. One night, it got real bad and we made a run for it. It was so bad even with the wipers and headlights all the way up, we were only making 15-20 mph due to the terrible visibility. Suddenly the car started sliding sideways and tree roots and pieces of a barn started flying through the beams of the headlights. We’d inadvertently driven into the edge of the tornado. My dad rammed it into reverse, opened up the four barrel on that 429, and did a perfectly executed reverse J turn the other way. We cleaned out a few ditches swerving around due to no visibility, wind, and the 365 hp on wet pavement, but got out of it unharmed. Everything they tell you not to do, but it worked. Good thing we didn’t try it in the 68 Beetle. |
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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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On two rear wheels for the first time in over 40 years!
Since The Mole doesn't have a rear frame/torsion housing, I built a carriage to move it on. Now I just need to put a front beam on him and I can finally get him in the garage to start work.
_________________ "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: Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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A big day for the Mole... On four tires for the first time in 40 yrs... finally moved into the garage to start a new chapter in his life....
_________________ "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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zuggbug Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2008 Posts: 3479 Location: Anderson SC
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Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Dewayne wrote: |
A big day for the Mole... On four tires for the first time in 40 yrs... finally moved into the garage to start a new chapter in his life....
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very nice - I especially like the carvan in the back ground _________________ SOUTHERN INTEGRITY AIRCOOLERS
58 15 window
56 westy |
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aa390392 Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007 Posts: 3602 Location: So.Cal
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Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Am pleased to see the thread continues.
So much better than whats been posted lately....
_________________ .
getting grumpy & less tolerant!
55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet |
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Box on Wheels Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2004 Posts: 398 Location: The Box,CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Awesome story! At least an SO23 interior is easier to find than an early Westy interior or flip seat interior. Can’t wait to see this one running & driving! _________________ 58 PGSG Westfalia
64 Türkis SO-35 Flip seat Westfalia
66 Pearl White SO-42 Pop-Top Westfalia
67 Titian Red SO-42 Pop-Top walk-thru Westfalia
64 Safari Beige Sunroof Notchback
97 993 S Coupe
97 993 Cabriolet
04 996 C4S Coupe
God, guts, and guns made America great!
Live free or Die |
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Okie Adam Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2003 Posts: 1345 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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I dig the wagon wheels! (or is wagen correct in this case?)
I have to say, seeing this bus in person, out from under its cover, and out of the backyard was almost as thrilling as the day we dug it out! I told my wife I wasn't sure if Dewayne or I was more excited to see it in the garage after we shoved it in there! I'm excited to see this thread popping back up in the near future as progress begins. _________________ 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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Stocknazi Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 5146
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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This bus is begging for a CLR treatment.
BTW Dwayne is still in need of a rear torsion housing/frame section. If anyone has a lead and can help please contact him. _________________ WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
Thomas Jefferson |
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ddutch Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2020 Posts: 117 Location: Nederland
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:51 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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StockNazi wrote: |
This bus is begging for a CLR treatment.
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Totally agree on this, bring that paint back to life!
And some gentle treatment of all the dents. A skilled specialist should be able to get most of them out. |
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ZENVWDRIVER Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Also found in Oklahoma - z
_________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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So the Mole has started his new journey. His last tag was from 1982... 40 yrs ago!
I've removed a lot of the front floor to access the frame so I can clean out all the caked on dirt. I bet I removed 30lbs of dirt. Got the clutch and brake pedals freed up but need to remove them. The shifter was trashed on the business end. Will have to source a replacement
Doors, glass and hatch have been removed. Just about every bolt had to be drilled.. very rusty
Some people mentioned Patina. While there is some nice Patina on the passenger side, the driver side, which was 85% buried, is way past Patina... The Mole will be getting new paint...
_________________ "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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Okie Adam Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2003 Posts: 1345 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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I hate that the paint isn't consistent enough to save but I'm just glad the bus is getting saved _________________ 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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srfndoc Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010 Posts: 3270 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2022 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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You're saving it, that's what matters. Glad to see the thread active again! _________________ RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches |
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Dewayne Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2003 Posts: 332 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2022 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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Well, I figure this is due an update or else people will think I'm lax on my responsibilities...
A lot of my time is spent evaluating just what and how I need to move forward. Everything underneath is just so rusty and full of dirt. So far I haven't run into anything that can't be fixed with time, work and money.... I have plenty of the first two and limited amounts of the last....
The pics show the result of 40+ years in the dirt. I will be looking for some donor pieces and have an order from Gerson arriving today. So progress is being made, however slow...
_________________ "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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SLO-N-LO-69 Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2006 Posts: 622 Location: Central Florida
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2022 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Unearthing of Mole, a 1960 SO23 |
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This is both the scariest and coolest project I've seen. Good luck with it! |
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