Spotted this in a backyard so knocked on the door to see if they wanted to part with it. It's a 70 lowlight deluxe that he bought new & parked here running about 12 years ago to do some front panel repairs that he never finished (small bingle that tore off the front bumper & moounts) It all looks to be there though I didn't get inside & the roof has some rust holes towards the back in the gutters & the front panel is rusted at the bottom, but what I could see through the window the front floor looks solid. There is a bit of surface rust on the floor above the engine due to the holes in the roof but the hood lining is all still there. The interior is white.
I'm happy for a long project so not too fussed about the level of work required.
Is it worth grabbing? Any thoughts please?
silver ·
The front suspension is very sought after for split owners wishing to do a ball joint conversion they fetch $4-500 alone
is there an engine? it would be a 1600TP, if ok you could more money for the engine
in all you could get about $1500 + in parts alone
if the rust is not too bad then yes it is probably worth restoring
pod ·
yes yes yes,like silver said ,but it would be a shame to part out unless really rusty
Big Dave 69 ·
Thanks for the replies.
Yes there is an engine & as I said it was running when he parked it here 12 odd years ago. Didn't ask how many k's it had though.
I wouldn't part it out, want to do a resto, unless it was beyond it rust wise, but looks pretty solid from what I can see of it.
helbus ·
Personally I would walk away from the rusty roof. It will never stop bubbling out
matberry ·
I'm with Helbus, too much rust in the roof, but as said, parts are def sought after
h ·
parts parts parts donor whoo hoo!!
Big Dave 69 ·
Thanks for the input guys. Having read a bit more on bay identification it would seem this one is a 71 as it has the closer 5 stud wheels with disk front. The old fella (in his 80's) that bought in new said he got it at Footscray VW in 1970. Could it be an MY71 released late in 70. Does it make it any more desirable or useful for parts?
silver ·
yes its the model for the donor beam for splitty conversion the aluminium trim looks desirable too
waltermitty ·
silver wrote:yes its the model for the donor beam for splitty conversion the aluminium trim looks desirable too
70 71 front ends even wide five are not the ones you want for splitties need the early ealy ones. Mitchell
Scottkombi ·
The 71 was the best low-light year ever as they looked totally as a lowlight yet had huge upgrades over previous models such as:
First year to have a twin port 1600 (MY1970 models still had the single port 1600).
First year to have disc brakes up front.
Frist year to have boosted brakes.
First year to have a "Y" frame chassis up front.
However roof rot is a difficult repair and too scary for my liking.
Still worth it if your keen - although I would cut down the grass around the kopmbi to get a better check.
Big Dave 69 ·
Looks like it's about 50/50 for & against taking it on. Leaning towards picking it up but will sit on the desicion for a few weeks. Will post up the outcome. Cheers all.
dragsters for life ·
just do it
Klaus ·
buy it and sell it to me 🙂 or dibs on the grill
Sunset Garage ·
Scottkombi wrote:The 71 was the best low-light year ever as they looked totally as a lowlight yet had huge upgrades over previous models....
What about the beautiful early lowlight rear wheel-arches which were replaced with the later (& less attractive) flared arches in 71 which continued till the end of bay production?
That's a pretty obvious difference, not to mention the close five wheel pattern really changes the look from early lowlight models. Interior trim was more simple as well. Colour choices changed as well, with less options offered.
So maybe not totally like the original wide five lowlights?
But I agree it's a great year to find. Good score and definitely worth getting, for all the hard to find microbus parts. Good find!
Klaus ·
71 were a 1 year only wheel arch slightly diff to later bays
Sunset Garage ·
Klaus wrote:71 were a 1 year only wheel arch slightly diff to later bays
Ok, I'll bite. What is the difference, or differences between a 71 rear wheel arch & later ones?
There seems to be be no difference with genuine repair panels.....
Klaus ·
71 have a curved single edge arch later ones are double edge , have a 69dc bay in the yard some 68 rear arches cut off a bus a 70 micro , 71 dc and a 76 camper, so can get pics if u want 🙂
Sunset Garage ·
Klaus wrote:71 have a curved single edge arch later ones are double edge , have a 69dc bay in the yard some 68 rear arches cut off a bus a 70 micro , 71 dc and a 76 camper, so can get pics if u want 🙂
Hey wow, pics would be great! The 3 71's I have owned don't seem to have this feature you describe, so maybe it was early 71's which had this wheel arch?
I've posted some pics of genuine 71 arches on my van for you to show how they differ from later ones.
Thanks in advance for going to the effort to show me the differences, Cheers, Dave
VolksVair ·
Early 69 lowlights with wide 5 wheels were the last to do a direct front & rear interchange with a splitty, late 69 onwards have a different size bolt pattern for the front beams & the IRS is a problem
pod ·
they look similar to whats on my 73 kombi👍
Klaus ·
70's had wide 5 too, arm and springplate change came in 72 when rear clip changed
SlownLow ·
what happened to this one?
Klaus ·
mmm the deluxe trim would look good on my 70
oh and heres my 71 dc arches
Klaus ·
76 arch
Big Dave 69 ·
SlownLow wrote:what happened to this one?
Will be dropping in shortly to have another chat to him.
Pumba ·
My 71 bus has the same rear guards as the 76 pictured.
Klaus ·
ha ha just makes mine worth more ..even rarer😀
SlownLow ·
Keep us posted Dave
blink ·
looks nice =)
rossdanialnaumov ·
Hi Big Dave 69,
I would say repair. There's not allot that can't be repaired. Keep the option of parting it as the VERY last resort! Check this out: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=432300 If you don't buy I'd be keen. Email me at rossnaumov@gmail.com or call 0412 441 831. Otherwise if you need advice I'm happy to help. I'm just finishing off a lowlight that had allot of rust too.
Cheers,
Ross
Big Dave 69 ·
rossdanialnaumov wrote:Hi Big Dave 69,
I would say repair. There's not allot that can't be repaired. Keep the option of parting it as the VERY last resort! Check this out: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=432300 If you don't buy I'd be keen. Email me at rossnaumov@gmail.com or call 0412 441 831. Otherwise if you need advice I'm happy to help. I'm just finishing off a lowlight that had allot of rust too.
Cheers,
Ross
Thanks for the offer of help Ross. I'm still working on picking it up and saving it, Just might take some time to sway the owner.
Big Dave 69 ·
Ok the bus is MINE! Picked it up this morning from the origanal owner with the original delivery rego papers showing delivery from Hack Motors in Footscray on 30.04.71 and all rego renewals until 1986. Yep it's got rust but i have seen worse repaired so i'll give a crack. Will try and get pics up tomorrow 😀
Big Dave 69 ·
Ok here are the pics. Got the ownwres manual off the previous owner today as well. New factory reco engine installed in 1980 at 59000 miles. Odo now reads 23000 odd & he stopped driving it in 1999. I'm geussing that it's only done 123000 miles but at worst 223000. Has rust in all the usaual spots but have seen all panels available on the bus stop web site. Only chalenging bit i can see is the roof thats rusted through just above the gutter on the passanger rear corner, but i'll work it out. Everything chassis wise including the jacking points are solid with a bit of surface rust. The front floor & under the seats is pretty good as well, only a few small holes. Next is to get it running so I can move it without pushing. I also have the door panels with good vinyl but the cards are rotten in bits & the plastic air ducts are cracked. Also all the deluxe front bumber bits including rubber steps.
AND YES I GOT IT FOR NIX!
Yogie ·
Great score. It will be a great time fixing it all up.
Yogie
rossdanialnaumov ·
Nice find Big Dave 69! Another one saved!
Big Dave 69 ·
HE'S ALIVE! New fuel lines, filter & battery, Bit of start ya bastard down the carby & fired up. Coughed & spluttered till his lungs were clear and idles like a dream with no smoke at all. Put some brake fluid in & took it for a spin around the block. Gearbox shifts nicely & brakes work well enough woo hoo! 😀😀😀😀
Oh yeah, gonna call him Jack coz thats the name of the bloke (original 1 owner) I got it from.
vwsteve ·
quick.....put some long grass back around it to hide the rust🙂😂