Well I thought I should post some pics of my new 23 window microbus. It arrived yesterday and I spent some time today cleaning out dust and rubbish from the front.
It is remarkably rust free and has some minor dents. The first owner cut a couple of chunks of the rear quarter skirt for what ever reason but other than that it is pretty well unmolested and I am thrilled that so far it has proven to be very rust free.
It has six pop outs which I really like, as well as genuine safari windows, which everyone loves!! There are a number of parts missing though and I thought I would start the long process of parts hunting by asking if anyone has anyone of the below listed parts for sale please u2u me. I will be using Roy of Classic Pacific for the new bits want when I can afford a part by doing my chores and paper-round!!
Parts needed:-
Front bench, middle and rear seats.
Steering column,
Steering wheel and horn button
Gear stick
Sunroof
Deluxe trim
Jail bars
Front and rear rubber mats
Rear lights..2 round ones each side
Windscreen wipers
Not sure if I will keep it totally standard, uprate to a 1600 motor or go the lowered, disc front look.
I wont be over- restoring it as I cannot afford to and I want to use it regularly without waiting for a 3/5 year- open chequebook resto to finish. I will be getting it resprayed in the original colour. Not sure what the coulour is called but it looks like Salmon Pink from the front cab. Anyone know the colour and code etc.
I will get the chassis number so that i can find out from one of you guru's what year it is.
NOW ENJOY THE PICS!!
[Edited on 31/5/2005 by preacherman]
[Edited on 5/6/2005 by preacherman]
[Edited on 6-6-2005 by vw54]
preacherman ·
Trying to post pics
Kombi_Rescue ·
its a good feeling when its sitting in your driveway..hat off that you actually found one following the telephone discussion i had a couple of months ago.can help with a lot of those bits am wrecking a 63 window van..also know of a dlx steering wheel,will follow up a guy who is said to have the sunroof mech..u2u me for a few more details cheers dsk steve
preacherman ·
last try with pics. If this fails can i email pics to someone on this list more computer literate than me ie. anyone else in Aust.!!
preacherman ·
Have more pics but they are over the 50kb mark. Can anyone help me if I email you the pics please. I think I can get one more to go
57kombi ·
Nice buy,
The salmon colour is usually "sealing wax red"
That is the name for it, if the top is a dark brown almost black, it is called "chesnut brown"
Other combinations were used, best to scrape some paint back and have a good luck.
Post the chassis number and I can tell you the year.
Cheers
Dave
preacherman ·
Need to relocate this post onto another forum. How do I do this please?
VolksFolks ·
Man i got those bench seat brackets if ya need them, will need to be spot welded in..
let me know
Andy
h ·
nice work
well brought
enjoy your prize
your a lucky man!
VolksFolks ·
pic
VolksFolks ·
pic
VolksFolks ·
pic
VolksFolks ·
pic
kombibob ·
well done
keep us posted on the resto pics
i can only dream ,dam lotto numbers!
VolksFolks ·
pic
twoguns ·
man thats a good thing...
well done.
cant believe someone would cut a dash outa that baby, and then leave the rest behind!!!
kroozzn63 ·
wow wow wow how cool is that, well done im so jealous
is that the one that was for sale on ebay?
Bizarre ·
Are the dashes anything special ??
or "just" a splitty dash???
You could always graft a bay dash in there like the tripple
kroozzn63 ·
is this baby from australia ? how many arrived in oz ?is the dream still alive to find another?
greenbus ·
Well done - an amazing find. Can't believe the condition of it.
The colour combo would most probably be beige grey over sealing wax red as Dave said, the earlier ones had chestnut brown on the top.
All the best on the resto:thumb
pod ·
what a great score ,everybodies dream splitty,a lucky man🙂
preacherman ·
Well to answer the questions
It is the one that was on ebay. I could not get too much history but was told that it was owned by an old guy for years who used it as a camper. When the sunroof deteriorated he put what looks like cut parts from a pop top on it. and pop riveted a rail on the roof to take an awning.
The guy i bought it from had if for three years or so and told me someone punched two holes in the cargo doors so he could pass a chain thru it as he kept his compressor in the 23. Philistine!!
I dont know the reason why the botttom of the back corners were cut and turned up but I am sure there was a good reason for it!!
I wil post updates as work is done on the old boy. Thanks for the well wishes guys. How about diggin around your garages and yards for the parts I need to buy. Oh I forgot I need the bumpers as well
kombi_kid ·
unfortuantely all the parts u need will eat ur budget away me thinks!! hate to think of what they would acumulate to cost!!
but then again ur a lucky bastard for owning a 23 window who cares!!
good score
rhys
p.s. people there still out there!
preacherman ·
aaaahhh Bizarre...graft a bay dash onto it!! I froze at the thought LOL
I am sure I wont do a concours resto as it is not me but I could not contemplate that fate for 'him'. I suppose I could also cut out the roof and put in a pop top but NAH too much silicon!!
One sad part of all this is that I will have to think what I am going to do with my nearly restored 15 window lovingly called 'Ernie'. I bought him at a time when I had all but given up hope on getting a 23. He is one of the most rust free splittys I have ever seen..like new in most parts and straight as a die. I cannot be greedy and will need to finance the 23's resto. I also know that it is silly to have two restored splittys sitting around as they wont get used. Breaks my heart at the thought of selling him as there is alot of love time and sweat invested. I know i don't want him to go overseas and he wont be cheap.
I have learned what many of you guys have when you come to a place of parting with a vdub that has alot of self invested in it.
handycam ·
well done as much as everyone would of loved 2 get this im glad u got it and its staying in australia:P
matara ·
There should be a plate behind the drivers seat that contains a load of numbers that are known as M-codes. VW Germany gave me a booklet to decode M-code numbers when I got my splittys birth cert off them. Let me know what it says and I can tell you exactly what your missing!
Great catch!
Cheers
Steve
Zimblewinder ·
Looks like its a 59-61 judging by the gearstick position and the engine lid and nipple indicators. Like it was mentioned above, sealing wax red (L53) and beige grey. Interior would also be grey and it would have the rounded bumpers (luck for you cos theyre much easier to find at a reasonable price). Nice front floor, I envy you the rust free bits on this bus. Keep us up to date as you get along. I have a fair few bits doubled up for my 58 23 but itll be a while before I know exactly what needs to go back in and what Ill have spare. Maybe I can help you out. Look forward to seeing your progress. Cheers
PS there is a sunroof mechanism complete on theSamba.com at the moment!
Also, you can flip bay corners to fit a splitty, turn them upside down and weld them on their opposite corner. Only thing that gives them away is they have a drain hole indentation on them. Its behind the bumper and if it really bothers you you can cut it out easily.
[Edited on 31/5/2005 by Zimblewinder]
Fossil ·
nice score
preacherman ·
This is the Identification Plate in the engine bay. The plate behind the Driver's seat reads:
02 03 1
394
AM 244 BGR SR 74331
Will be interesting to find out the year it was made and the trim it left the factory with.
Thanks guys
matara ·
The 02 03 1 is the build date:- (DD M Y)
2nd of March 1961
Chassis Number 74331 puts it into March 61
My M-code info is at home, but Type 24 is a Microbus Deluxe 9-seater and I know on the M-code the number 244 is:- means Microbus Deluxe 9-seater, right hand drive (the last 4 denoting RHD).
Cheers
Steve
[Edited on 1-6-2005 by matara]
Kombi_Rescue ·
preacherman my 23dlx has the same built day 02 03 1 with chassis number 743685...making it 86 cars apart..cheers dsk steve..also same colour combo..hope to post pics
preacherman ·
The colour of my 23 window....thought I would never say that term...is the same as Kieren's 23 Devon Camper that featured on the cover of VW Australia.
An interesting story about Kieran and his 23 window. I moved over recently from WA and just after Chrstmas 2003 my now wife and I were driving through the town of Margaret River in Wa which is famous for it's Surf Classic and wine.
We were lost and wnated to drive thru the town. I was talking to my fiance and was saying how much i wanted a 23 window and she said we will just have to kep looking.....a perfect partner in every way eh!
Well we got to the bottom of the main road thru town and we realised we were on the wrong exit out of town and we had to do a U turn at a picnic area. MY JAW JUST DROPPED AT THE SIGHT OF A SEALING WAX RED 23 WINDOW, fresh from restoration parked at the picnic ares.
We stopped and spoke with Kieran his wife and family and i took heaps of pictures. I hope he does not mine me posting a couple of ones here. Kieran was great and after he told me of his trials in restoring it I did not have the heart to ask if it was for sale. It was just such an amazing coincidence.
I fell in love with the colour scheme BTW and hoped that one day I would get a 23 and paint it the same colour. Imagine my joy to find out the the 23 I have just bought IS THE VERY SAME COLOUR FROM NEW. Kieran's 23 inspired me and I hope I could get mine half as nice as his.
I wish all of you well who have the same dream and I will let the forum know if I come across another one in my travels
BAck to drooling
preacherman ·
HELP can someone give me a step by step way to make pics smaller so that I can post them on this thread/forum please
squizy ·
You can host them on photobucket.com - that way you won't have to reduce them.
Well done on your find too.....I am envious. So now, a triple cab and a 23 window.
VolksFolks ·
lindon
you got paint?
if so right click on image
open with paint
click on image up the top
click scetch/skew
if those pics you sent me are your cameras default size then..
70 horizontal
70 vertical
Enter.
save pic as (choose a name)
look in my pictures (or where you saved too)
check size, should be under 50ks
from avd browse blah blah blah
you get my drift, if not send them to me again
Andy
Bizarre ·
Preacherman
you have mail
VolksFolks ·
More Pics, preacher will explain
Andy
preacherman ·
thanks Andy
Preach
Zimblewinder ·
HMMMMM NIIICE!
Lovely deeeeeep SWR!!! CANT WAIT!
Which paint did he use? Does anyone know? Its a pain to match and it ages really badly if its even a tad off (Im told). Ive bitten the bullet and will top coat in OG code Glasurit. Not looking forward to that bill:repuke
preacherman ·
Kieran told me he had it sprayed 3 TIMES before he was happy with the result. I don' t think I am be able to do that so I will call him and get some info and post it. Yeah he did a great job on it eh!
vw54 ·
Thats a good looking project ... Deluxe Microbus
Hope you dont loose faith with the car and trying to find all the correct bits for it
so what area did the bus actually come from ???
preacherman ·
Hey Dave
The 23 has been in Victoria for most and possibly all of it's life. An old guy owned it for a long time and after some time(probably when the engine dies or whatever, he took off the steering wheel, gear lever etc and, I think, ran an A frame from it's rear and towed it as a camper!!!! Bizarre eh! The engine was taken out and a plate of steel was used to fill the hole in the engine bay. this area was then used as a storage area. Man the mind boggles and shows how valueless these vehicles were at one time.
It is going to take a while to return to it's former glory.
VDUBXTC ·
Great score preach.
good to see you finally getting one.
See good things happen when you move to the beat state in the country. NSW :P
much more buying opertunities than in WA.
preacherman ·
Thanks Jace. WA......where's that!! Maybe I should have come over a few years ago and then I would be actually driving one by now.
A Bit of News to Cheer the Heart of every Father
My son has joined the FORCE!! My first splitty was a blue ex RAAF splitty I ran for a while and sold to get my 15 window. The guy whobought it was so keen he did not even want to try it out in a drive and did not heggle re privce either.
Well his infatuation lasted a few months and he put it up for sale for half what he apid for it to get rid of it. My son saw the ad andwent and bought it back AND LOVES IT. It starts first time, every time and being a mechanic he has access to what he needs to keep it on the road. He wants to lower it and just go surfin!!
NOW THAT IS A FEEL GOOD STORY, my father passed my love of VW's down to me and now his grandson follows his steps. He has joined the forum too and will post pics of the Splitty
OH YEAH!!
preacherman ·
Being determined to be a 1961 9 seater Deluxe Microbus (thanks Matera) .. Did a Deluxe Splitty of this vintage have a bench seat up front or a 2/1 split front seat? The pics on page on show the holes left in the cab through removal of the seat brackets..does this help?
Would the correct bumpers be rounded or have the kink in it? and was the end slashed or rounded.
Thanks for the info
vw54 ·
Man the mind boggles and shows how valueless these vehicles were at one time.
yeah i know ... I cut one up in about 1976 or so.... I used the bits ... to restore a Panel van bus which i drove for a few years B4 i traded it in on a Bay window micro bus
preacherman ·
Hey Dave
That story is the stuff nightmares are made of eh!! There are a few horror stories like that around too.
vw54 ·
Well i figured the Van had less rust in it I had it taken to the tip... was probally better than the one you have DOH !!!!
SPRINTSTAR ·
I had a mint 63 ambulance complete with stretchers, took the steering wheel out and sold the vehicle for $350.00 and I even left the fan in it!
humpty ·
Hey Lindon, Simon here in WA.... Sad to hear that Ernie must go to a new home, such a nice 15 that bus!!! But hey, look at what you have found!!!! Congratulations!!!
Mark still has Burt as his driver, and is so enjoying it! IRS and disc brakes in a Deluxe, do make for a nice driving expierence! Looks like you have a nice little project on the go, and very tidy it is too....A neat bus.
As for Kierans Devon paint....2pak with 2pak top coat. And yes he did have it painted 3 times....Once about 10 years ago and then twice when it was at Belmont TAFE paint shop....Matching the 'Sealing Wax' was tough, but the Grey was real bear!!! I might be able to get the formula's for you if you like (Kieran has just gone for a drive up to Monkey Mia for a month!!!)...He didn't really want to go 2pak, but that was all they did at the TAFE! No one does cellulose these days!
By the way....You spot the splittys in the landscape pick at the end of the article in VWMA? See Marks 15 and Antonys Micro???? And our better sides! That was good day that!
preacherman ·
Hey Simon..good to hear from you...Long live NoH20 in WA.
I would appreciate the formulae for the paint as I will be going down the same track. I don't blame people switching to 2 pak. All that poloshing and you had to have a perfect finish. As far as I know with 2 pak you ahve a herder finish and you are actually polishing the clear...am I right??
Great avitar Simon..long live your beetle. I have yet to obtain my copy of VWMA. Looking forward to it.
Looks like 'Bert' and 'Ernie' are destined to be apart forever.
To all those not knowing..'Bert' is a 15 window Splitty owned by Choppa. He is awesome. Choppa also owned my 15 window lovingly called 'Ernie'. They used to keep each other company until i bought Ernie in my quest for a 23 window. As Simon says..(no pun intended) Ernie is am amazingly rust free Splitty...one of the best I have ever seen.
humpty ·
No problem Lindon....Be my pleasure.....Just a note....I sold the bug today!!! A gentleman who has just immigrated to WA has bought it...He has a HiPo 2.7 TIV engine to stick in it! I have another project now....A 1960 Golde Ragtop bug! Keeping my driveline, shifter and pop-outs....He gets the rest!
preacherman ·
Dave I bet you get email as to what tip you took the 23 to from someone with a front end loader on the forum.
Get your shovels ready....
preacherman ·
I guess we move on eh Simon. You must have had that bug for a few years eh? How about pics of your 60's Golde Ragtop...sounds great. Loved the sound of your old bug tho!!
humpty ·
Just posted some pics in the members section.... And yeah, I have owned that bug since '91. Sad to see it go, but we have to move on...Dunno when I will find the time to do the bug up, but I will.....Longterm, thats how it goes.
It does sound sweet doesn't it....Something about twin Dellortos and a healthy set of heads. Not to mention a phat exhaust!!!
Hows Ernie looking these days....You ever finish it? Mark has sorted that partition plate for you I noticed!
Menangler ·
it will be nice to see one more restored 23 window bus on the road Lindon, well done.
Dave,
here is a pic of the '59 23 window I took to the tip 8 years ago.
and the top bit.
This thing was so rusty the top just lifted off, it now lives at the tip at Cowra NSW.
vw54 ·
That would be a GREAT start and LIVE time project
You would have to get a D9 bulldozer to find the one i took to the tip,,,, FARK nearly 30 years ago,,,
preacherman ·
No more pics yet. However I have decided that I am going to do a change to straight thru rear axle and lowered or possible disc front end. This is because one of the previous owner that used it as a tow camper smashed the bell Housing in order to fit a steel plate and make a storage area where once the engine/ gearbox was. Philistine!!
I need to know:
1. What year beetle/van or type 3 I need the rear end from. Is it a bolt off bolt on job or are there amendments needed? What are these please.
2. For the front end the same . What year beetle or bus do I need. Is it bolt on or what amendments etc.
Thanks for the help
Lindon
humpty ·
Here ya go Lindon...
1. What year beetle/van or type 3 I need the rear end from. Is it a bolt off bolt on job or are there amendments needed? What are these please.
Any TIII Swinger tranaxle (63-68 I think..Good luck!) is the go for a straight axle conversion and you need and adapter kit to make it work or you do as Antony did with his Matt Black splitty here in Perth (remember that place?)...Make your own spacers and mod the spring plates. If you can find all the TIII brake bits, axles and tubes then you can fit them to any 60's or later swingaxle transaxle.
2. For the front end the same . What year beetle or bus do I need. Is it bolt on or what amendments etc.
Disc brake/Balljoint beam - 68-70 bus.
Or drop spindles (better with a straight axle rearend, IMHO) on your LP front end will get you lower and ride better when it is there, but you don't get disc brakes....But you can make some fit. I haven't checked yet, but I think early bus disc's fit onto late LP stubaxles (67?), with minor inner disc clearancing. Then all you have to do is fab some brackets to fit the calipers...Same as I did on my Bug (but with bug parts obviously!).
Anything else I can help you with?
veedubjimmy ·
23 looks great preacher man hurry up and start doing it up.