Barndoor interior photo - what am I looking at?

[panel67]

I recently bought this photograph.
It is an original press photo showing the interior of an early barndoor.

But it raises multiple questions for me:
- is that walkthrough conversion standard or a hack?
- what is that seat in the back?
- it looks like extra equipment on the passenger side?
- is it perhaps a taxi or something like that?

What are your thoughts?

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Always looking for rare literature on barndoors and commercial T1 buses!

[sled]

Home made/hack

Taxi/shuttle/school bus

The hand lever mechanism in the cab probably opens the cargo door, possibly something like this?

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drive your split.

[aerosilver]

A set of photos of this bus popped up on eBay.de a few years back

[panel67]

[djfordmanjack]

it's a pre Dec 52 (piano hinge, old shift knob).
Maybe VW collected pics of such customer buses for their (1953) 'zweckvolle Inneneinrichtung' brochure, and this bus just didn't make it in the final selection. I don't think it's in there.
it appears to be very well made, not a 'hack' per se. the reinforcing structure on the bulkhead is beautifully executed, they are stamped channels with spot welded flanges, and notches were made for the original pressed ribs. Gas welded corners and all.
It was either a master craftsman, blacksmith or professional coach builder.
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Hotrods, Fords, Veedubs and Triumph Twins !
52 Barndoor DLX Coachbuild project
54 Oval project
55 Wolfsburg panel project, og paint Taubenblau L31
62 Dickholmer, Seeblau L360
63 1500 Notch, og paint Rubin Rot L456
67 1500 Käfer, og paint Lotus weiß L282 w/red interior

[Mr. OGPaint]

I would definitely not classify this as a hack, its disrespectful to the craftsman who did a non-factory upgrade. Very likely was done by a coachbuilder who outfitted the bus for some type of professional service by the first owner.

Looks like it was probably a taxi or shuttle bus of sometype. I know of at least one other non-factory barndoor that is shown in barndoor literature.
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https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
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Patrick Hall

[djfordmanjack]

Maybe you have missed the 'zweckvolle Inneneinrichtungen' booklet (1953). Because it is mostly non factory interior custom outfit and coach building. it's basically a collection of ideas how to customize your early transporter to your own needs. it is from a time period when VW din't yet offer many factory Sonderausführung.

here's a similar bus with non factory interior update, roofrack, ladder aso:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/transporter_interiors_german.php

[sled]

"hack" is an entirely subjective term, and for many (like myself) it refers to modifications not done by the factory.

for others, it refers to modifications done poorly, outside the factory.


so yes it is a hack, and it is also not a hack
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drive your split.

[Malokin Martin]

The back seat is interesting. Wingnuts to secure, which means they had to add/weld the retainers to the floor.

And seat is possibly wide/flat with no back?