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SAwesty
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: CAMBRIDGE Uk
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 Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:40 pm Post subject: 54 Westy Tent - help needed! |
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OK - so i'm like a kid in a chocolate shop since discovering this forum - bear with me!
I have the original tent poles and canvassl for my bus - and the tent looks exactly like the picture i posted at
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=100613
The tent is falling to dust and the poles are very rusty. Anyone have any idea where i stand a chance of laying my hands on similar material - or better - if someone makes these tents? The original i have is too rotten to try to make a new one off - any patterns around?
What would the original finish have been on the poles?
Any indications how the curtains would have looked like (including the curtain-rods?)
nic
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54 Rhd Safari Westy (3rd owner)
66 Rhd Beetle (2nd Owner) |
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Stanagon
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2003
Posts: 4196
Location: Boston, MA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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That sounds like a nice tent. Too bad about the condition.
There is more Westy tent info here:
http://www.supernet.net/~jclark/vw/index.html
And modern stuff available here:
http://www.plfvw.com/home/default.asp
PLF sells new tents, pole sets, bags, hardware, etc. Sometimes they take a little while to ship if you catch them during travel/show season.
I think your poles would have had a grayish steel color. Some of the later tents (bay windows) had poles with a gold-type finish. There are other Westy nutz on this forum that might jump in.
-Stan |
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hazetguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10804
Location: the past
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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good luck! you're dealing with a super low production vehicle and parts, ALOT fewer than BD deluxes  , so it's gonna be tough. very few people even know that Westfalia converted barndoors, let alone have actually seen one in person. welcome to the small crowd! literature and old pics may be some of the best sources for info.
i'd guess that the poles would be kinda silver hammerite type coating, but who knows. there's gotta be some small section where the original finish remains to compare.
as far as material, i have found similar material to later tents in upholstery shops and fabric stores, sold as refinishing material for sofas and chairs. maybe you can get lucky in that way. |
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Grant
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2004
Posts: 820
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| is that a full lenght wooden roof rack!?!?!?!?!/!!!?? i've never seen that before. where do i get one?!!! (sorry about the hijacking) |
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SAwesty
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: CAMBRIDGE Uk
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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no idea, sorry grant - my roof rack is not wood - all steel - full lenth thouhg. Seems anything older than '57 is a bit of a mystery to most. things seem to have been quite random.
Westfalia did produce full length roof racks to get hold of one...
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54 Rhd Safari Westy (3rd owner)
66 Rhd Beetle (2nd Owner) |
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Roamingwesty
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2003
Posts: 492
Location: Carmichael, CA 95608
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| PLF sells new tents, pole sets, bags, hardware, etc.. |
I might see Dawn in a couple of days. Will ask her about the posted tent for you if that happens. |
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2002
Posts: 1246
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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Please take some pics of it and post them.
There is a small chance that a small run of repos might be made.
I need a early tent as well as a few others.
I think Germany is the place to find a close fabric match.
Some say the poles were painted red primer then silver paint.
Only early poles I have seen 58 vintage were red paint or primer
Last edited by [email protected] on Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SAwesty
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: CAMBRIDGE Uk
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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JMP - THE TENT I HAVE IS REALY FALLING TO DUST; NO SENSE TO BE MADE OF IT! - STILL IF YOU WANT TO OFFER 1000 IT'LL HELP IN GETTING THE BUS RESTORED...
ALSO ANY WORD TO DAWN WOULD BE MOST WELCOME, ROAMINGWESTY!
MUCH APPRECIATED.
(ps - sorry for the Caps - only noticed it now and not going to retype!)
nic
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54 Rhd Safari Westy (3rd owner)
66 Rhd Beetle (2nd Owner) |
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campingbox 
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10261
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| SAwesty wrote: |
JMP - THE TENT I HAVE IS REALY FALLING TO DUST; NO SENSE TO BE MADE OF IT! - STILL IF YOU WANT TO OFFER 1000 IT'LL HELP IN GETTING THE BUS RESTORED...
ALSO ANY WORD TO DAWN WOULD BE MOST WELCOME, ROAMINGWESTY!
MUCH APPRECIATED.
(ps - sorry for the Caps - only noticed it now and not going to retype!)
nic |
Nic-
I might be able to help reproducing this tent.
Would you be interested in shipping it to me so I can source reproduction material and have a couple fabricated?
We could probably work together on this to help minimize the cost.
I have access to a set of poles that are identical to the ones posted in the photo.
Greg |
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campingbox
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10261
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: 54 Westy Tent - help needed! |
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| SAwesty wrote: |
OK - so i'm like a kid in a chocolate shop since discovering this forum - bear with me!
I have the original tent poles and canvassl for my bus - and the tent looks exactly like the picture i posted at
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=100613
The tent is falling to dust and the poles are very rusty. Anyone have any idea where i stand a chance of laying my hands on similar material - or better - if someone makes these tents? The original i have is too rotten to try to make a new one off - any patterns around?
What would the original finish have been on the poles?
Any indications how the curtains would have looked like (including the curtain-rods?)
nic |
Nic-
Your poles would have been painted with red primer and then painted silver.
You'll find this paint on pretty much all of the metal westfalia brackets.
Greg |
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SAwesty
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: CAMBRIDGE Uk
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Greg - poles i have, slightly bent and rusted, but in servicable order! Shipping could be difficult - where in the world are you?
nic
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54 Rhd Safari Westy (3rd owner)
66 Rhd Beetle (2nd Owner) |
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BUCIOBATISTI
Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2002
Posts: 6969
Location: San Diego, California, USA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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| SAwesty wrote: |
Greg - poles i have, slightly bent and rusted, but in servicable order! Shipping could be difficult - where in the world are you?
nic |
Bricktop (Greg) is in Pasadena, California, USA
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Danny t
Samba Member
Joined: December 01, 2004
Posts: 75
Location: UK/Australia........
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:01 am Post subject: |
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There is also a guy from the uk called alex him e mail is so23westfalia.com. please try looking on the ssvc.org website. Alex is a real westy buff and has a few early ones.He also specialises in making original fabric for interiors/tents etc.
his number is uk 07736060070 |
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SAwesty
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: CAMBRIDGE Uk
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:34 am Post subject: |
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wow, THANKS Danny T!
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54 Rhd Safari Westy (3rd owner)
66 Rhd Beetle (2nd Owner) |
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SAwesty
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: CAMBRIDGE Uk
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:58 am Post subject: |
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guys - am posting a scan of a bit of my original 54 tent material that cmae off while i was boxing the original. heve scanned with a scale so that any one can use it. note - this is authentic! see the gallery
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Roamingwesty
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2003
Posts: 492
Location: Carmichael, CA 95608
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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Talked to Dawn from PLF today. It seems that this is the rare occasion where a tent of this age actually surfaced, since prior to this there's been only the tent poles. According to Dawn, as long as there's enough remnants of the old tent to trace the exact dimentions, it is not difficult to reproduce it. The process would pretty much be what Greg has suggested. She is now aware of this discussion thread. Perhaps you would like to get in touch with Dawn herself for some first-hand info.
On a side note: Greg, Dawn sez to send greetings to you and the poles.  |
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campingbox
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10261
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Roamingwesty wrote: |
On a side note: Greg, Dawn sez to send greetings to you and the poles. :wink: |
=)
Hopefully both Nic and I can contract her to making a tent for each of us....I'll be needing one for the '56 subhatch. |
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Lind
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000
Posts: 10269
Location: idaho
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| campingbox wrote: |
| Roamingwesty wrote: |
| On a side note: Greg, Dawn sez to send greetings to you and the poles. |
Hopefully both Nic and I can contract her to making a tent for each of us....I'll be needing one for the '56 subhatch. |
I want one also. for a bus to be named later.
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Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
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golde-westfalia
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2003
Posts: 179
Location: http://so23westfalia.com
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:24 am Post subject: |
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| Roamingwesty wrote: |
| It seems that this is the rare occasion where a tent of this age actually surfaced, since prior to this there's been only the tent poles. According to Dawn, as long as there's enough remnants of the old tent to trace the exact dimentions, it is not difficult to reproduce it. |
The problem is getting the canvas matched in the same materials as 50 years ago. This can be done, but you would have to buy it in massive amounts making it uneconomical to get done. Firstly you don't want too many of these tents about, secondly you'll never recover the investment to get the minimum order made.
I have looked into and have contacts for getting the red and white canvas made (as well as any other colour I supply a sample of) as used on the 59 on tents, but I had to have a minimum 1 KM of it made! 
So for now I haven't bothered. If there's enough people interested speak now and we'll see if something can be done.
btw I did hear a rumour that someone in Germany is making or will be making 59-65 on westy awnings. Anyone else heard this?
Alex
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One eyed duck
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2001
Posts: 69
Location: Malvern Hills..........UK
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:25 am Post subject: |
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| golde-westfalia wrote: |
I have looked into and have contacts for getting the red and white canvas made (as well as any other colour I supply a sample of) as used on the 59 on tents, but I had to have a minimum 1 KM of it made!
So for now I haven't bothered. If there's enough people interested speak now and we'll see if something can be done.
btw I did hear a rumour that someone in Germany is making or will be making 59-65 on westy awnings. Anyone else heard this?
Alex |
So how many tents does 1km of material make Alex?!?   
The early tent repro would be of interest to a few people I think.........as would getting the early poles copied. Expensive, I know, but.......... 
Heard the same rumour about Germany...........probably from the same source!
Steve
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