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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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 Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 6:13 am Post subject: Intro |
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Hi. Just wanted to introduce myself real quick. I'm sure you're all going to be sick of me and my questions before this process is over. I'm just beginning a restoration of my late husband's 1969 Westy for our son. Hopefully, I can get it finished before he gets his license.
The first step will be getting the replacement top put on. The original pop top fiberglass was ripped off by a tornado a few years ago. I managed to find a replacement for it, and will be putting that on and putting new tent canvas up while the top is off.
The child has very specific ideas of what he wants, which aren't always feasible and/or "right" (read: factory correct) so this may end up testing both our patience, lol. |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79600
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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KentABQ
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2016
Posts: 2490
Location: Albuquerque NM
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 7:06 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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Welcome to The Samba!
You've come to the right place to get the important answers. I stumbled upon this site about 8 years ago when I bought my '76 Riviera sight unseen.
And if it weren't for the experienced Sambanistas, I doubt I wouldn't have a working vehicle.
You may want to start by using the "search" function available.
It will help you find answers that have been asked many times before.
That is one lucky son to be able to help in the restoration of his late father's VW, and to have a supportive mother willing to take on this task!
Best of luck to you both!
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"
"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea
Bus ownership via emoticons:
         ---williamM |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23969
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| Quote: |
| The original pop top fiberglass was ripped off by a tornado a few years ago. |
Yikes!
Welcome to the swarm. No doubt the first trip will involve a family game of Twister
_________________
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊 |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42668
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 8:12 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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Welcome. I would be sure that the "child" participates and invests in the work so that your dream and his work together, or the bus will mean little to him when it comes time to drive and own it. From experience.
_________________
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| Welcome. I would be sure that the "child" participates and invests in the work so that your dream and his work together, or the bus will mean little to him when it comes time to drive and own it. From experience. |
He's a good kid and has been a great help with other projects around the house (helped me re-felt a pool table last year and didn't complain once about pulling 800+ staples, lol). It's also his dad's so that will help. We ended up having to let a couple of his dad's vehicles go, and this is one that he chose when I asked him what we wanted to try to save. |
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my59
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 3979
Location: connecting the dots
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| ShakeItUpNowSugaree wrote: |
| SGKent wrote: |
| Welcome. I would be sure that the "child" participates and invests in the work so that your dream and his work together, or the bus will mean little to him when it comes time to drive and own it. From experience. |
He's a good kid and has been a great help with other projects around the house (helped me re-felt a pool table last year and didn't complain once about pulling 800+ staples, lol). It's also his dad's so that will help. We ended up having to let a couple of his dad's vehicles go, and this is one that he chose when I asked him what we wanted to try to save. |
That sounds like a solid start, picking the thing he has interest in.
Like repairing a building, rule 1 is keep the water outside where it belongs. I'd be looking at it to see if it can be a rolling restoration repair project. Might not be perfect when he can drive it, but being legally drivable at that point would be a big encouragemen. Rolling restoration if you will.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget. |
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70bus
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 1428
Location: P.O.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| Quote: |
| which aren't always feasible and/or "right" (read: factory correct) |
Well, one thing I told my kid: get anything to stock, so you know how it is supposed to look and work. Then you can modify once you understand things. I mean, you COULD start right off with a big HP motor, but unless there is already knowledge of tuning dual carbs, or a trusted shop, etc it may be so frustrating that they get rid of it.
if they've done some wrenching a higher bar may be appropriate, but I'd still advise not starting out w/ a Subaru motor attempt. :)
_________________
Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams
Raul the 65 singlecab
Karl the 70 nine-seater |
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Bobs67vwagen
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2005
Posts: 434
Location: Eastern north carolina
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 3:55 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| I would agree with keeping it as close to stock as possible. I have no idea what your budget is like. But nowadays when you start modifying things like the engine it starts getting expensive real quick. Since he will be a young new driver, I would address all the things that would make it reliable and safe. Things such as engine tune. Brakes and suspension will get you off to a good start. Good luck-Bob |
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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 7:51 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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The absolute first goal is to get it watertight and "operable" (this part is important because code enforcement is giving me a hard time about it). I managed to locate keys and get inside last night. The water damage from the tornado isn't nearly as bad as I was fearing, so that's good. There are a couple of pieces of headliner that will need to be replaced and the panel on the sliding door needs to be replaced, but that's been that way as long as I can remember. No visible mold/mildew and no obvious mold/mildew smell.
Neither of the keys I found seems to work on the ignition though. I have what I thought was the original ignition key. It's on the same ring and similar shape to the one that works on the doors, though it's possible that is for my father-in-law's Beetle. There's also a newer looking VW key, which I was thinking was from where the ignition was rekeyed about 15 years ago. It doesn't fit either, so either there's still a key missing, or there's something going on with the ignition switch. Oh, and the tachometer is missing. That's fun. Or maybe it never had one in the first place. I don't remember because I kinda don't know how to drive a manual transmission. He tried to teach me a few times, but we never got as far as knowing when to shift, only how to shift. And I wasn't very good at that.
A friend of my husband's is actually going to tow it to his place and help/do some of the work for us. I appreciate that more than I can say.
Last edited by ShakeItUpNowSugaree on Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:42 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23969
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| ShakeItUpNowSugaree wrote: |
The absolute first goal is to get it watertight and "operable" (this part is important because code enforcement is giving me a hard time about it). I managed to locate keys and get inside last night. The water damage from the tornado isn't nearly as bad as I was fearing, so that's good. There are a couple of pieces of headliner that will need to be replaced and the panel on the sliding door needs to be replaced, but that's been that way as long as I can remember. No visible mold/mildew and no obvious mold/mildew smell.
Neither of the keys I found seems to work on the ignition though. I have what I thought was the original ignition key. It's on the same ring and similar shape to the one that works on the doors, though it's possible that is for my father-in-law's Beetle. There's also a newer looking VW key, which I was thinking was from where the ignition was rekeyed about 15 years ago. It doesn't fit either, so either there's still a key missing, or there's something going on with the ignition switch. Oh, and the tachometer is missing. That's fun.
A friend of my husband's is actually going to tow it to his place and help/do some of the work for us. I appreciate that more than I can say. |
There is a guy here on Samba, Gabe, who can get your keys sorted - Ill find and link to him on my next conference call.
_________________
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35947
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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Safety first.
Get the brakes sorted, including soft lines.
Link
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback |
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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
Safety first.
Get the brakes sorted, including soft lines.
Link
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Definitely high on the list. I believe that was one of the last things that he did to it, but don't quote me on that. |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11183
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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Reach out to Gabriel at,
https://gabvwkey.com/
He has keys and codes for just about any VW.
He can guide you on where to find the key code(s) for your ignition switch.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin! 
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
Reach out to Gabriel at,
https://gabvwkey.com/
He has keys and codes for just about any VW.
He can guide you on where to find the key code(s) for your ignition switch. |
Thanks! |
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8673
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Intro |
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This may be a silly question. With the key that fits the ignition key slot. Did you turn the steering wheel left and right. Sometimes the steering wheel needs a little motion to turn the key. Also. I think every old VW I have had. Had a key hidden in the engine compartment or underneath by the previous owner. Perhaps explore when you have free time.
_________________
Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I respect Xevin and he's a turd  |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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dodger tom
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 1926
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian and Californian
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Intro |
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welcome
i’ve a purely demographic question.
how old is the child?
and, x has a great suggestion.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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timvw7476
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2013
Posts: 2491
Location: seattle
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Intro |
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sounds like fun.
Keep an econobox around for an actual car that starts every time you turn the key. A VW Bus is a challenging choice as 'first car' in 2025. It's got CG problems, anti-lock brake issues. No air bags.
Valves to adjust, clutch to adjust, brakes to adjust. Points to adjust.
edit: the front door handles have a three digit code stamped in them. A locksmith can use that to cut a new ignition key for you. Some disassembly required. : l |
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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: Intro |
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| Xevin wrote: |
| This may be a silly question. With the key that fits the ignition key slot. Did you turn the steering wheel left and right. Sometimes the steering wheel needs a little motion to turn the key. Also. I think every old VW I have had. Had a key hidden in the engine compartment or underneath by the previous owner. Perhaps explore when you have free time. |
I didn't, but I've been reading about that today, so I'm going to give it a try when I get home. |
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ShakeItUpNowSugaree
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2025
Posts: 17
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Intro |
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@dodger tom, he's 12.
@timevw7476, I don't really see this as a daily driver for anyone. It's been a fickle beast for years and years. He'll learn that one day, lol. The plan has been for him to get the Jeep I'm currently driving and I'll get something new. There's also an older Jeep that my son has always seen as "his dad's" that we're trying to save too (it was mine for like 12 years, but the kiddo was a baby when I got the one I'm in now and he doesn't remember me driving the older one). |
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