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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 8:50 am Post subject: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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I think I've finally settled down enough to start a thread for the new double cab!
I found out about this truck through the owners son, who runs a small 1 man auto shop in my neighborhood. He mainly works on vintage Chevrolet cars; building engines, transmissions, and such. 2 years ago I was at his shop with my wife's 71 westfalia when he told me about his dad's truck.
"My dad has a vw pick up..."
"Oh like a rabbit pick up?"
"No, one that looks just like your van."
"No way, really?"
"Yeh it's one of the crew cabs. It's been parked in his barn since the mid nineties. I'm trying to talk him into selling it. I'll take a picture next time I'm at his place."
I convinced him to keep pestering his dad to sell it. He ended up showing him some pictures of my family enjoying our other bus and I think that got him to think harder about selling it.
Finally he got him to give me a call and he agreed that he would like to pass it on to somebody who will use it and take care of it. His son was visiting for Thanksgiving so he took some more pictures for me after the stuff was cleared away.
This was great news to me except for one thing. The truck was 7 hours away stuck in a barn with 2 feet of snow around it! The property is a few miles off of Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin so they get an insane amount of snow every winter. And it sticks around for a long time! So I had to wait...
But the wait paid off. I was patient and I left him to his own devices, I even sent him a box of tune up parts, fuel pump, a new carb, etc... he really wanted to drive it out of the barn to make it easier for us to load and I think he just really wanted to have one last blast. I cant blame him for that. It was running long enough to get it out of the just big enough hole in the barn (previously barricaded) and to do a victory lap around the neighborhood. It didnt want to cooperate after that so we used a winch to load it on the trailer.
He gave me the go ahead to come up and the trip was planned. I'm really lucky that my Dad is a huge enabler when it come to classic cars. He has a great skid loader trailer that we mounted a winch to and have used it countless times to drag home old junk. He agreed to help me make the trip. That's him in the grey hoodie.
We left at 1 am on Saturday.
We had to stop and admire Lake Superior for a few minutes.
The first time I got to see it in person.
A deal was made!
Had to take another picture by the lake.
The rain cleaned it up pretty well on the trip home.
Finally made it home. It matches my house and garage perfectly!
Back on the ground!
Thanks for reading! I'll be back to post some more shortly! _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20233 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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thefalconer_88 wrote: |
A deal was made!
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This is a wonderful photo, and the best feeling in the world.
Great truck, great find, great story! _________________ nothing |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20233 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 9:44 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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I can't wait to see that blue interior. _________________ nothing |
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jtauxe Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004 Posts: 5778 Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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That looks like young me (even with the same VW T-shirt!) and older me (now) in the same photo.
That huge blue building is your "garage"? Holy cow. _________________ John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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nynone4 Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2004 Posts: 299 Location: Central Illinois
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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Congratulations! Looks like it's REALLY solid from the pics. Nice to hear of another crew cab back in Illinois (I'm in the Peoria area). _________________ >>Looking for any and all Vic Williams, Peoria Illinois dealership items.<< |
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SamboSamba22 Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2015 Posts: 2772 Location: Benton, Arkansas
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crukab Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002 Posts: 6114 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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thefalconer_88 wrote: |
I was at his shop with my wife's 71 westfalia when he told me about his dad's truck.
"My dad has a vw pick up..."
"Oh like a rabbit pick up?"
"No, one that looks just like your van."
"No way, really?"
"Yeh it's one of the crew cabs. It's been parked in his barn since the mid nineties. I'm trying to talk him into selling it. I'll take a picture next time I'm at his place." |
A Bus guys DREAM conversation !!!
I do recall when I found my '66 Singlecab, I was just checking out this old ladys '68 Westy in her yard, she said "If you like that, you'll really like my truck"........ Schwing !! It was just a little dirtier than yours. _________________ Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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crukab wrote: |
I do recall when I found my '66 Singlecab, I was just checking out this old ladys '68 Westy in her yard, she said "If you like that, you'll really like my truck"........ Schwing !! It was just a little dirtier than yours. |
Right!? This is what I live for! _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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SamboSamba22 wrote: |
Completely agree, this find, story, and bus are just awesome.
I’ll be tagging along on the progression.
And for what it’s worth, Neptune Blue is the best on a Bay Double Cab.
Sam |
Thanks Sam. I've been following your build for inspiration while I was waiting to pick this up! Good work! _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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jtauxe wrote: |
That looks like young me (even with the same VW T-shirt!) and older me (now) in the same photo.
That huge blue building is your "garage"? Holy cow. |
Too funny!
Yep that's my shop. Just built it over the last year. Time to enjoy it now. _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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MorkC68 Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2015 Posts: 610 Location: Nottingham, England
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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Fantastic story, the crew cab looks great, well done! _________________ Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System
My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/ |
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jakokombi Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 776 Location: Milwaukee
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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A great Bus to a great owner! Thanks for bringing it to sunlight Jim. _________________ 70 Sunroof Kombi
69 Tin Top
73 Thing
72 Baja |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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Some random pictures...
Hardware for the rear seat pedestal was all present _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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SamboSamba22 Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2015 Posts: 2772 Location: Benton, Arkansas
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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It looks like an oil change was done in Seattle in 1973 at 10000 miles...
The original owner was a college professor at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. The PO bought it from him in Ames and now I'm the third owner.
Port of origin was Portland, so the Willamette sticker and Seattle oil change make sense. He must have bought it new out there and moved to Iowa later on.
I found this receipt in the idiot's guide that came with. Must have needed some parts on their way to Iowa? Funny thing is that I lived in Laramie for a year while attending tech school!
All the glass seems to match, but the windshield is cracked unfortunately. _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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I think its snoopy?
_________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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jakokombi wrote: |
A great Bus to a great owner! Thanks for bringing it to sunlight Jim. |
Thanks Jack! Can't wait to show you it in person sometime! _________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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earlybayjim Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2013 Posts: 248 Location: East Dubuque, IL
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 4:52 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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I got more time last night to take pictures. Besides the rockers and battery tray it's rock solid. I put it on the lift last night to pull the rear wheels. I cant believe it has all 4 commercial gray hub caps. I'm a having a set of 15" bus wheels blasted and general grabbers have been ordered.
Thanks for looking!
The wheels. 14's on the front and 15's on the rear.
Bed floor and gates
Passenger rear wheel well
Fuel cap and door
Passenger rear
Roof
Engine hatch
_________________ 1971 Chianti Red Westfalia x2
1985 Westfalia
1984 tintop |
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nynone4 Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2004 Posts: 299 Location: Central Illinois
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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WOW! That's in FANTASTIC shape. Nice find - I'm super jealous! _________________ >>Looking for any and all Vic Williams, Peoria Illinois dealership items.<< |
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challomoner Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2010 Posts: 1195 Location: IRELAND
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 7:16 am Post subject: Re: Jim's Neptune Blue 68 Doublecab |
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What a great find. |
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