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SolarPoweredPickles
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009
Posts: 1289
Location: California
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 Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2025 6:52 pm Post subject: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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Hey everyone,
Making steady progress on my ’61 panel build — when I first got it, it barely qualified as a shell. It was hacked into a half-camper with some pretty rough side windows, no beam, no wheels, nothing (I’m converting to pop-outs and have proper metal panels from a Samba member) anyways, besides the subject.
Right now I’m about 75% through a walk-through conversion — floor area and seat brackets are in, and I’m prepping to finish up on the bulkhead/ walk through metal work. While browsing threads and ads, I noticed a couple of photos showing a bulkhead that’s only a few inches long before dipping down. Curious if that setup was ever stock on any buses, or if it’s a custom mod?
If it’s custom, it would actually save me a ton of fab and welding time. My bus wasn’t stock when I got it, so I’m not too worried about keeping it 100% original — just want to know what I’m looking at before I go that route. I do and don't like the look but it's got my mind churning with an idea close to this.
Appreciate any insight (not just opinions, but any history or firsthand experience). I know the VIN plate is located right there on the passenger side. Assuming someone modded this for the look and so the seats would recline more, maybe someone that was really tall?  My bulkhead is already cut out clean (if anyone needs it).
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 26284
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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SolarPoweredPickles
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009
Posts: 1289
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2025 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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Thanks! Ahh, duh. I didn't know they had swivel seats for Split Busses, I thought that was a Westfalia or later bus and van thing? I'll read up either way. |
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Mr Margaret Scratcher
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013
Posts: 395
Location: Cambridge UK
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2025 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| Would it be sacrelidge to convert my non-factory sunroof shamba into a swivel seat bus? Has it been done before? What extra strengthening do they have? |
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Malokin Martin
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007
Posts: 3317
Location: E-burg
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2025 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| I would first locate a seat + base. Then the ark of the covenant. Then I would look into converting it. Otherwise this is all just dreaming. |
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pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1905
Location: Warren, PA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2025 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| Mr Margaret Scratcher wrote: |
| Would it be sacrelidge to convert my non-factory sunroof shamba into a swivel seat bus? Has it been done before? What extra strengthening do they have? |
Not at all, but like mentioned above you got to find that seat.
_________________
Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop (Arschloch)
1973 standard bug (Dirty Gertie)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion |
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Mr Margaret Scratcher
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013
Posts: 395
Location: Cambridge UK
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2025 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| Malokin Martin wrote: |
| I would first locate a seat + base. Then the ark of the covenant. Then I would look into converting it. Otherwise this is all just dreaming. |
I'll keep em peeled! |
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pyrOman
Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12570
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2025 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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It's your bus! Do whatever makes you happy with it! 
I recently swiveled mine! 
_________________
Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5557
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2025 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| pondoras box wrote: |
| Mr Margaret Scratcher wrote: |
| Would it be sacrelidge to convert my non-factory sunroof shamba into a swivel seat bus? Has it been done before? What extra strengthening do they have? |
Not at all, but like mentioned above you got to find that seat. |
That is a unicorn bus and all original. Only example of a swivel seat sunroof kombi know to exist.
You'd be years ahead if you just made your own seat; price would be 5K if you did happen to find one.
_________________
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."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
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Mr Margaret Scratcher
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013
Posts: 395
Location: Cambridge UK
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| Stocknazi wrote: |
| pondoras box wrote: |
| Mr Margaret Scratcher wrote: |
| Would it be sacrelidge to convert my non-factory sunroof shamba into a swivel seat bus? Has it been done before? What extra strengthening do they have? |
Not at all, but like mentioned above you got to find that seat. |
That is a unicorn bus and all original. Only example of a swivel seat sunroof kombi know to exist.
You'd be years ahead if you just made your own seat; price would be 5K if you did happen to find one. |
Maybe I'll go for the shwivelseat shamba then!
I've seen in other posts suggestions of using bay or vanagon swivels - what's the issue with just some off the shelf/orher manufacturer swivel base and a stock driver's seat? |
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SolarPoweredPickles
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009
Posts: 1289
Location: California
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| Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2025 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| pyrOman wrote: |
It's your bus! Do whatever makes you happy with it!
I recently swiveled mine!
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Thats a nice setup, and a really good reference photo. As I mentioned I converted to a walk through and a double door, amongst other things, but sacrilege wasn't on my mind as this bus had potential but it was also cut all to hell and converter camper windows done poorly, so I just decided to make this one what I want.
I've been looking at a lot of swivel seat bases, I have procar lowback seats for my bus, same ones I ran in my last 65' but years ago (sold) and my Chevelles over the years, can you tell I like the procar scat 90's? 
Regardless if I go swivel or not, I'll certainly be doing this extremely short bulkhead, if we can even call it that, only being inches long on top and curving down a bit just enough for seat clearance.
Even sourcing stock seats and stock swivels, it won't be stock to your bus, or mine, my two cents with that said, is it wont be stock either way so finding high quality boat swivels and some welded if needed, and seats or buckets of our choosing, could be pretty smooth. Just depends on the bus, most of us, even custom and modify fans like myself wouldn't cut up or heavily mod a stock beauty.
Tons of neat options out there.
Is the short "bulkhead steel tubing" 1/2" or 3/4"? Looks like 3/4" to me.
Just curious. |
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BarryL 
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15458
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2025 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| SolarPoweredPickles wrote: |
| Is the short "bulkhead steel tubing" 1/2" or 3/4"? Looks like 3/4" to me. Just curious. |
When he answers ask him what is the horn on the vent cover. |
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SolarPoweredPickles
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009
Posts: 1289
Location: California
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| Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2025 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| BarryL wrote: |
| SolarPoweredPickles wrote: |
| Is the short "bulkhead steel tubing" 1/2" or 3/4"? Looks like 3/4" to me. Just curious. |
When he answers ask him what is the horn on the vent cover. |
Trippy I didnt even look up, interesting... lots of little mods up in the air vent area. |
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Mr Margaret Scratcher
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013
Posts: 395
Location: Cambridge UK
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:05 am Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| pyrOman wrote: |
It's your bus! Do whatever makes you happy with it!
I recently swiveled mine!
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Nice! I wish I'd considered this before repairing the bottom of my bulkhead!
Much more room when you're in "Everyone into the bus for a beer" mode... |
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pyrOman
Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12570
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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Thanks for the positive vibes!
Always wanted to do this and last year I scored on 2 swivel bases at the Blackstar campout! Don't know where they came off from but they are stamped with the "Audi" sign. This one ended up about an inch HIGHER than the driver seat. I would have preferred a set up from a vanAgone but last time I saw one at the pick'N'pull the base was welded on and I did not have a way to cut it out of it. 
On the "side support", I used part of the cut off piece to mimic that of a stock swivel seat bus. 
Finally, the vent cover I found at the swaps and it came with 3 VDO gauges. I grafted the phatchick vents on it and used a horn button just to cover up the center hole.
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Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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SolarPoweredPickles
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009
Posts: 1289
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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Ohhh I have a question for ya'll fine peeps. So the VIN tag on a walk-thru or panel bus is located on the back of the passenger seat bulkhead section. With a swivel seat where is that tag originally, or where would it be located when doing a conversion?   |
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pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1905
Location: Warren, PA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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It’s not a VIN tag it’s the M code tag. Not sure where it goes on a swivel though, I’m nowhere near that cool!
_________________
Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop (Arschloch)
1973 standard bug (Dirty Gertie)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion |
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AustroBus
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2014
Posts: 314
Location: Vienna, Austria
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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You can see the M-Plate containing all the m-codes in this picture with a swivel-seat. It's about in the middle of the height of the image - very left, basically where the door closing mechanism counter part is located on the b-pilar.
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Blog website:www.austrosplit.com
1967 Deluxe VW Bus - Resto Thread
Barndoor Coachbuilder Topics:
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SolarPoweredPickles
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009
Posts: 1289
Location: California
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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| AustroBus wrote: |
You can see the M-Plate containing all the m-codes in this picture with a swivel-seat. It's about in the middle of the height of the image - very left, basically where the door closing mechanism counter part is located on the b-pilar. |
I realized that when I hit submit I was like wait I think thats the M Plate, I thought M plates had the VIN on it too (besides the point) but know they tell the month and production date of the bus. Awesome! I had a feeling the plate would be in the same area just a bit lower. Still unsure what route I'll go but this helps a ton. |
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AustroBus
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2014
Posts: 314
Location: Vienna, Austria
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Walk-Through Conversion - Was this stock metal-work? |
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Glad i could help. And yeah, the m-plate basically has all info on it that you need to derive the VIN, but per se it does not show all the 9 digits of the actual VIN as for example the actual VIN tag does.
At least if i think of 67 and 68 buses, i know that the lower right corner of the m-plate tag only shows 7 digits, missing the first 2 numbers of the VIN that resemble the model type.
But yeah, if you know how to decipher the m-plate of even just know the few basic model codes, then you can also get the VIN out of it easily.
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Blog website:www.austrosplit.com
1967 Deluxe VW Bus - Resto Thread
Barndoor Coachbuilder Topics:
"Hans Kohlruss & Co" |
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