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Mattaxi Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2014 Posts: 64 Location: Malta
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:21 am Post subject: How can I make a 11 Window VW be a 23 Window Samba Bus? |
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I would like to know if it is possible of making a vw bus 11 window and add windows on the corners and at the top, to make it a samba bus?
And if yes has anyone did this, can you post pictures of your results.
thank you |
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DadaCheese Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2008 Posts: 837 Location: Richmond, CA
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:41 am Post subject: Look out! |
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Mattaxi,
Be warned: it's likely that you are about to get a lot of disturbing, possibly inflammatory, advice from some folks who feel you should NOT change split-window busses from how they were originally built.
Other Samba members will tell you; "it's your bus, do whatever you want with it."
Me, I lean towards; "don't change your bus," but I have no reason to fight about it or try and stop someone.
That said, there is a company in Huntington Beach, California that advertises here on this site. They sell what you need to do the work yourself (and provide instructions) and/or they will do the work for you if you could get the bus there from Malta.
Link:
http://vwsunroofs.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=1195 _________________ ----------------------------------------------------------
Dada as in dadaism.
Cheese as in the stuff I love to eat. |
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ChrisFred Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2014 Posts: 322 Location: Boulder, CO
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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You can get a kit for it.
But why?
It will scream fake to VW enthusiasts and the public probably doesn't know the difference.
I personally believe it brings the value down on the bus. It makes it altered by usually somebody who lacks experience. If it is done right, like they did in the factory, then kudos! But don't even bother getting a kit. They look terrible. |
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dockmaster Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2005 Posts: 297 Location: Florida
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Post up some pics of your bus. That way the pros can tell you exactly what to do! |
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ateneo Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2008 Posts: 403 Location: Orange County, California
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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I share Dadacheese's opinion of "Do not change your bus". I would like to add the words "PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!" before that with a friendly smile
VW bugs and buses will only be original once and stock never goes out of style. _________________ 1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk. |
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SingleWheel Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2004 Posts: 184
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SkooobaSteve Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2005 Posts: 3152 Location: Dothan Alabama
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CaLiBus Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2011 Posts: 1097
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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ChrisFred wrote: |
You can get a kit for it.
But why?
It will scream fake to VW enthusiasts and the public probably doesn't know the difference.
I personally believe it brings the value down on the bus. It makes it altered by usually somebody who lacks experience. If it is done right, like they did in the factory, then kudos! But don't even bother getting a kit. They look terrible. |
"They look terrible".............. Whats wrong with the kits??? Please share with us. |
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Vintagespeed Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2005 Posts: 579 Location: Westerlo (Belgium)
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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If you have a 11 window bus, and you would take that back to Original, but REALLY restore it like it came from the factory, you'd have a killer high value bus. Fitting a complete and correct interior will be a hassle on its own.
Building a 23 would take a HUGE amount of work to make it work, and it would still look fake. Beware you also need another rear hatch, you'd need belly pans, you'd need sooo many parts it's just not worth the effort. |
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flemcadiddlehopper Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011 Posts: 2332 Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:23 pm Post subject: Re: How can I make a 11 Window VW Bs a 23 Window Samba Bus? |
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Mattaxi wrote: |
I would like to know if it is possible of making a vw bus 11 window and add windows on the corners and at the top, to make it a samba bus?
And if yes has anyone did this, can you post pictures of your results.
thank you |
Well, so far they are being very gentle on you. I thought for sure there was a sh*t storm brewing up.
Really tho, if you want a Samba, buy a Samba. But it is your Bus, do as you like.
Gordo. _________________ Everybody Dies....Some Never Live.
Retrograde Garage. Vintage Aircooled, and others. |
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cru62 Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2002 Posts: 4117 Location: Margaritaville.....24/7
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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I just looked it up and it is a capital crime in Malta to build a fake 23. Really. Would I lie to you? _________________ "My biggest worry is that when I die, my wife will sell all my parts for what I told her I paid for them"-Jon
Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Stocknazi Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 5150
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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ChrisFred wrote: |
You can get a kit for it.
But why?
It will scream fake to VW enthusiasts and the public probably doesn't know the difference.
I personally believe it brings the value down on the bus. It makes it altered by usually somebody who lacks experience. If it is done right, like they did in the factory, then kudos! But don't even bother getting a kit. They look terrible. |
Curious what you do not like about the kit?
I assume we are talking about the Grumpy's kit. _________________ WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
Thomas Jefferson |
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Z Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2003 Posts: 2517 Location: galveston, tx
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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StockNazi wrote: |
ChrisFred wrote: |
You can get a kit for it.
But why?
It will scream fake to VW enthusiasts and the public probably doesn't know the difference.
I personally believe it brings the value down on the bus. It makes it altered by usually somebody who lacks experience. If it is done right, like they did in the factory, then kudos! But don't even bother getting a kit. They look terrible. |
Curious what you do not like about the kit?
I assume we are talking about the Grumpy's kit. |
I'm also curious, as I thought the parts supplied seemed very good. Installation quality would make a big difference, of course.
Were you (ChrisFred) possibly referring to aftermarket sunroof kits? |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Aren't there a limited number of running buses in Malta anyway? And don't they all need metal work?
Do what you want. Enjoy. Please film the sawing. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20290 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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Cut, weld, grind, enjoy. _________________ nothing |
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CaLiBus Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2011 Posts: 1097
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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StockNazi wrote: |
ChrisFred wrote: |
You can get a kit for it.
But why?
It will scream fake to VW enthusiasts and the public probably doesn't know the difference.
I personally believe it brings the value down on the bus. It makes it altered by usually somebody who lacks experience. If it is done right, like they did in the factory, then kudos! But don't even bother getting a kit. They look terrible. |
Curious what you do not like about the kit?
I assume we are talking about the Grumpy's kit. |
Maybe the word "terrible" was a scare tactic.
Grumpy's kit is actually tuff to beat! Best kit out there. |
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lumber-baron Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2010 Posts: 394 Location: Golden, CO
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:03 am Post subject: |
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I asked this same question about 4 years ago, I was contemplating converting my 15 to a 23. I received threats of bodily harm - well not quite but I did get kicked around pretty well, http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=440612&highlight=
The best advice I received was this. If you want a 23, sell yours and buy a 23. What you'll spend on the conversion on top of the value of your current bus will get you close to what you'll spend for a genuine 23, not to mention your "hacked" bus will never be worth what a genuine 23 is worth. I took that advice and bought a 23 window project, finished up the 15 and sold it. It's your bus and your money - do what you want with it. |
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604peter Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2014 Posts: 34 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Lads,
Thought I'd bring this thread back to life. Haters, please don't hate. We all know where purists stand on this issue. But, for those VeeDubbers whose bus is no longer close to stock, and past the point of no return, you may be interested in a conversion to a 21 or 23 window beauty. If you are, the kit from Grumpy's/ VW Sunroofs may be of interest to you. I don't really know, so, I'm posting to find out if there's anyone out there whose used one of these kits. Don't be shy, let me know:
1. Did it work?
2. Did you get the expected results? What worked? What didn't?
3. Were the parts provided of a good quality?
4. Did you do your own install, or have VW Sunroofs do the work?
Really, its cut, weld, grind, finish it, paint and enjoy. Lots of folks will tell you what to do; in the end, its your bus... drive it safe and enjoy it. Spread the VW love, and enjoy owning a beautiful machine. |
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cru62 Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2002 Posts: 4117 Location: Margaritaville.....24/7
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604peter Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2014 Posts: 34 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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Great link. Thx for the info |
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