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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 11:55 am Post subject: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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I bought this '68 camper through the classifieds. It's a velvet green late 1968 kombi with a period camper conversion. It arrived in the US through Seattle and was sold through Brewington, VW in Olympia, WA.
I bought it in Boise, Idaho and the guys at RMF Auto helped me out a lot getting it road worthy for the trip home to Southern California. They replaced the tires, aligned the front end, greased the wheel bearings, adjusted the brakes, replaced all fuel lines, replaced the leaky fuel pump, cleaned and adjusted the carburetor, installed new spark plugs, adjusted the valves and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff. Thanks again to Brent, Jonny and Lind for the long distance support!
I flew up to Boise on a Thursday night and got on the road Friday mid-day after a business meeting. My oldest son and daughter accompanied me on the trip and it was a long haul but a blast. We towed the bus from Boise, over the mountains, past Lake Tahoe and stayed in Gilroy, CA on Friday night. Saturday morning we unloaded the bus and headed down the Coast Highway through Big Sur and along the coast to Santa Barbara where we stayed on Saturday night. We got home to San Marcos, CA at around noon on Sunday. The bus ran great but we did have to push start it a few times.
Now that the bus is home it's time to get it cleaned up and all systems sorted out. It looks like it hasn't been washed or given proper attention for many years.
Since I've had it home I peeled away the bumper strips. It took a few hours to get all the contact cement and goo off without damaging the paint. I replaced the old diehard battery which was bad with a larger group 41 and fixed the backup lights (bad grounds and missing fuse). Lots more to do which I will document here.
Some photos of the bus and the trip:
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alman72 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 2573 Location: MICHIGAN
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 12:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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neat conversion. any clue who did it?
those better be light truck (loadC) tires. Sears? was the spare not new? |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Yes, the new tires are properly rated for the bus. Hankooks from Giga tires. That Sears spare is probably as old as the bus. Thought it was cool to see. |
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dumptuck Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2015 Posts: 170 Location: BC
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Awesome bus! Is it the same one from this thread?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=717177
I love that green colour mini-Poptop is cool too! I hope it serves you well! _________________ Erik |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Wow that is a crispy interior. Congrats on the new purchase, you got the best year too _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Brian wrote: |
Wow that is a crispy interior. Congrats on the new purchase, you got the best year too |
Thanks man! |
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Tram Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003 Posts: 22697 Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:23 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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My money says "Riviera". _________________ Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
Bryan67 wrote: |
Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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dumptuck Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2015 Posts: 170 Location: BC
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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The interior styling + small Poptop reminds me a lot of some of the splitty conversions, maybe it was a company that died out shortly after the bay was released? Just a guess. Could be homemade, but then where did the window and roof come from? such a unique and interesting bus _________________ Erik |
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babysnakes Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7104
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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I'm with Tram. It most likely is a Riviera. I parted one out a couple of years ago and the interior looks very similar as does the hardware for the pop top. The middle side windows are new to me. |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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dumptuck wrote: |
The interior styling + small Poptop reminds me a lot of some of the splitty conversions, maybe it was a company that died out shortly after the bay was released? Just a guess. Could be homemade, but then where did the window and roof come from? such a unique and interesting bus |
In the Split bus forum there is Riviera thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=740
In that thread is a '67 non-walk-through bus that has virtually the same interior paneling setup as my '68. There is debate if the '67 is a Riviera or not.
My bus has a Hehr brand window in the one side, all others are original configuration to the kombi. Pop top manufacturer is unknown. Here is a photo of the interior of the '67 for comparison:
'67 camper
My '68:
Both buses are from the PNW so I think they got their camper kits there. They have lots of Riviera characteristics: armrest on back seat, lino tile floors, long spring curtain rods, off-the-shelf door hardware, panel designs, etc.
I think Tram is right and this is likely a Riviera. Or at least a close cousin. |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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babysnakes wrote: |
I'm with Tram. It most likely is a Riviera. I parted one out a couple of years ago and the interior looks very similar as does the hardware for the pop top. The middle side windows are new to me. |
Do you have photos of that bus? How did you confirm it was a Riviera? Thanks! |
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dumptuck Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2015 Posts: 170 Location: BC
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Anchovy wrote: |
dumptuck wrote: |
The interior styling + small Poptop reminds me a lot of some of the splitty conversions, maybe it was a company that died out shortly after the bay was released? Just a guess. Could be homemade, but then where did the window and roof come from? such a unique and interesting bus |
In the Split bus forum there is Riviera thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=740
In that thread is a '67 non-walk-through bus that has virtually the same interior paneling setup as my '68. There is debate if the '67 is a Riviera or not.
My bus has a Hehr brand window in the one side, all others are original configuration to the kombi. Pop top manufacturer is unknown. Here is a photo of the interior of the '67 for comparison:
'67 camper
[img]
My '68:
[img]
Both buses are from the PNW so I think they got their camper kits there. They have lots of Riviera characteristics: armrest on back seat, lino tile floors, long spring curtain rods, off-the-shelf door hardware, panel designs, etc.
I think Tram is right and this is likely a Riviera. Or at least a close cousin. |
After seeing those photos, I think you’re right, must be a riviera. As far as I know, split and bay camper interiors are interchangeable, so maybe your bus was built with leftover split interior parts before Riviera updated their design? Hehr was a pretty common manufacturer for bus windows, westfalia also used Hehr jalousies, so that makes sense. Many riviera bays have the small Poptop, until they changed to the full-length Poptop in 1970 (I think)
Edit: after a little searching, I also see many similarities to a Sundial... such as the jumpseat, cabinet handles, etc. Either way, it’s a very nice bus, albeit a little mysterious _________________ Erik
Last edited by dumptuck on Fri May 24, 2019 2:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Kick ass! That spare tire is sweet. We grew up in a 1969 bus of the same or close color. Two tone grey interior. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Hey, I recognize that pic of the splitty interior (I took it), and that bus was the first thing I thought of when I saw yours. In fact when the guy who had it first got it the floor had those same 10" lino tiles in it as well.
That split came out of NW Washington state, it sure looked Riviera but was different enough to make you go Hmmm...., maybe some prototype for alternate interiors from Riv?, boss's personal ride?, who knows?
Your bus looks awesome, I wouldn't change a thing!
Here's some more pics of that split in case anyone is curious: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php...t_dir=DESC _________________ 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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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Thanks busdaddy. Took a cruise to the beach after work today. Generator light came on half way through the trip. Belt was fine so onward and made it home safely. Checking the generator and regulator this weekend.
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Either brushes or the commutator is worn. I am swimming in some early 38 amp generators. If you need one let me know _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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babysnakes Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7104
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 7:08 am Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Anchovy wrote: |
babysnakes wrote: |
I'm with Tram. It most likely is a Riviera. I parted one out a couple of years ago and the interior looks very similar as does the hardware for the pop top. The middle side windows are new to me. |
Do you have photos of that bus? How did you confirm it was a Riviera? Thanks! |
Not able to confirm, just the general consensus.
After looking at my pics they may not be the same manufacturer. The bed hinges might tell. As you see I found it in a junk yard. I took almost everything I could. |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Thanks babysnakes. |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2921 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 8:50 am Post subject: Re: 1968 UVC "unidentified volkswagen camper" |
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Got to working on cleaning up the paint. Side and rear panel came out pretty good. Haven't touched the front door yet.
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