"The Toaster" ~ Personal History and restoration

[jeffavatech]

I had the same issues with my auto starter, Mexican unit. The rear bushing worn out causing the armature to short on the stater. Replaced it with a bosch unit. Just a thought.

[BulliBill]

Just "spit-balling" here, but old starters have brushes that wear out too (four I think?). Not sure if that might be an issue with your used Bosch starter? Also heated old starters after long drive times and not re-starting your vehicle are somewhat common on old VWs. My '67 Campmobile did that sometimes on long journeys. I always tried to shut it down on a slight slope if possible to easily pop-start it by myself. Jumping across the starter posts with a screwdriver always seemed to work well for me too. Are you running a completely stock original used 56 year old wiring harness? Did you add at some point a Ford starter relay or not? Is your ignition switch the original one to the "Toaster" or has it been replaced with a new reproduction? All of those questions and comments are things to consider to possible help figure out the culprit...

Have a great time out there, we are all living your adventures with every post, and you know where we live if you need us!

Bill & Kathryn
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

[DadaCheese]

[comcam]

Awesome trip so far, you can came right by me, I am under Nashville.
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I shoot guns and a camera

[DadaCheese]

The trip continues to be a great and fun time!

The above map is even missing some of the Black line that shows where this trip has taken us.

We are currently in Hot Springs, AK, and will likely be in Tulsa tonight.

Yesterday, April 21st, 2023 I did what should be our last 3,000-mile tune-up of the trip, and I also put the new starter in.
So far; FANTASTIC.

My brother and his wife had flown to Memphis where we picked them up and brought them to Charleston, Mississippi where my brother's mother-in-law lives.
It was wonderful to spend time with all of them. It was also the perfect place to do the tune-up, under a large car port as it rainednon-stop yesterday morning.

Oh; Memphis...

Elvis' dune buggy:

Sun studios:

Truly, I will do some retrospective posts about the trip in May after we are home with more photos and such, but I hope these tastes of the trip fit the bill in the meantime.

Friendly folks in Hot Springs, AK;

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Dada as in dadaism.
Cheese as in the stuff I love to eat.

[jeffavatech]

So,....are you guys driving backroads or the interstate? Or both. I myself stay off the interstate as much as possible. Have a great trip you two.

[DadaCheese]

[LAGrunthaner]

Glad you got the starter in and looking forward to more updates Bryce and Kathy. I've been following you two on Facebook also. You motivate all of us.

BTW my dream home, so utilitarian

_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org

[DadaCheese]

More from the road...

Had I mentioned we got to visit with my brother and his wife (pictured middle, above) at Annastasia's mom's house in Mississippi?
Just wanted to include a "people" pic too...

Had an exciting, friendly, wonderful Westfalia meet-up thanks to Adam as we approached Tulsa.
He arranged that himself and Dwayne meet us at The Blue Whale on Route 66.

Great folks, great buses, great times!
Kathy enjoyed meeting them too, but she did/had caught a cold that she's been suffering through.
In an abundance of caution, we checked if it was Covid (it was not).
She's already completely on the mend, and driving as I type this.

I encourage you to look at my photos where you can see more pictures of Adam and Dwayne's buses!

Had "Puffy Tacos: while staying on Tulsa:

We've been continuing on Route66 (often the 40) heading west...

Recently made it back to New Mexico...

More later; having a blast! Hope to see you all out on the road!
_________________
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Dada as in dadaism.
Cheese as in the stuff I love to eat.

[Don66bus]

Looks like a great trip. You might want to drop a mention into "Road Trips Over 1000 Miles" thread here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=557852&highlight=road+trips+over
when you are finished. I like to see the distance travel highlighted.

[scrivyscriv]

Hope y'all had a good time in Memphis, I would have enjoyed meeting you both if I'd seen this thread a few days ago! I grew up in Greenwood and camped many years at camp Tallaha in Charleston as a teenager in boy scouts.

Hot Springs is definitely a great little town to enjoy.. good choice!

Also, the rotating portion of the starter motor is not what commonly fails, it's the solenoid that usually causes slow or no starts. The internal contact bar will develop pitting and burning as the DC current arcs on it during key cycles. That creates high resistance over time, causing the slow or no start. You can sometimes take the solenoid apart, rotate the bar around and clean it with scotchbrite, and get another life out of it, but I think it depends on what brand of solenoid and how it is assembled.

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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[Okie Adam]

It was great to meet you both! I'm glad we were able to connect. There's something unique about seeing a bus that you know has just clocked some serious miles. It's not the same feeling as seeing buses at a show.
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Oil Capital Air Cooled
55 Wolfsburg Kombi
60 Walkthrough Kombi
62 Single Cab
66 21window
67 so42
76 Westy
64 Karmann Ghia

[DadaCheese]

Details below... in Huntington Beach, CA today Friday, April 28th, 2023. Come meet up with us!
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[BulliBill]

Oh! The suspense is killing us! You MUST be home by now, safe and sound! Updates?

Bill Bowman
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

[DadaCheese]

[DadaCheese]

Phoenix Bugorama 2023. Sunday April 2nd, 2023

As Kathy and I started our trip across the country and back in April, we naturally had to adjust our stops and route a few times.

Thanks to Ron J. (of Vegas), we were reminded that there was a Bugorama going on just south of Phoenix in Chandler, Arizona.

Our planned route wasn't originally going to go there on the right day, but as it had changed, it made perfect sense to go.

We're so glad we had, since we'd never been to the Phoenix Bugorama, and just as we have heard (often) about the Sacramento one, this is/was to be the LAST ONE.

It seems that the speedway there has been sold to developers.
My hope is that Phoenix will find another location to hold Bugorama, but I imagine that may or may not include drag racing.

The turnout was fantastic, all of the folks very friendly, and remarkable VWs to be seen...

The parts swap area of the Bugorama I felt was much smaller than the ones that happen in Sacramento, but I was able to pick up a used 12-volt starter for $25 which I needed along the way for our trip.

I had started uploading pictures onto TheSamba for folks to enjoy, and had about another 100+ to upload (queued up), but my computer was inadvertently shut down before I had the chance.
I'm surprised to see that I seem to be the ONLY person who has uploaded photos (to TheSamba) from this meet.

To see all of the photos I have uploaded (and hopefully other folk's too) click here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php...ts=summary

We had a great time at the meet and got to meet a few folks that we have spoken to (electronically) in the past, some folks who knew about our the trip we were on, and even someone who had used my bus re-wire write-up as a guide for their own attempt at it.

I really hope that this Bugorama will continue, and if it does, I'd enjoy driving out to it again.

I hope to continue to post some other stories/reflections about our cross-country trip in the weeks to come.
While we were traveling the non-profit I work for opened a new office, and, well, it seems that a lot of work was kept for my return so I've been more than busy.

HOWEVER, one of our favorite camping VW meets is happening Friday May 19th through Sunday May 21st (2023):
BUS CITY

This is the yearly VW bus only (any year; even Eurovans) camping event which happens alongside the Russian River at the Schoolhouse Canyon Campground
in Guerneville, CA.
http://www.schoolhousecanyon.com/

It is a private (ie: more expensive) campground that opens one week early JUST for this event. It's in a beautiful redwood grove, the river is just across the highway from the campground, and anywhere from 50 to 80 buses typically make it.
As there are not enough campsites for that many buses, people share (and split the cost) for their campsites, so you have mini-huddles of buses.
Typically each variety is well represented: about a third split buses, 1/3 Bay and 1/3 Vanagons, along with a Eurovan or two mixed in as well.

It is family friendly and plenty of folks share food and camaraderie as they 'show off' how they like to camp with their buses.

There's flush toilets and coin-operated hot shower stalls too, in case you don't like to rough it.

Oh, also Korbel sparkling wine is walking distance from the campground, so you can make a reservation (as far in advance as you are able) for a tour/tasting or just go to their store there and buy a bottle or two.

So; now that you know what to expect, if you enjoy camping with your bus, try to make it out. First come first served starting mid-day Friday May 19th, if you arrive late then you can/would be placed in a campsite with folks willing to share and split the cost.

If you make it out, be sure to drop by where we end up and say hello.
Kathy and I are the couple that offers fondue on the Saturday night to anyone who'd enjoy trying/having some.

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Dada as in dadaism.
Cheese as in the stuff I love to eat.

[amishman]

My wife and I stayed at the Wigwam Hotel a number of years ago. Was a nice quick overnight stay to rest the bones from a long day of driving.

We enjoy the whole Route 66 experience as well in some of those long driving days.

TJ
_________________
tj (the Amishman)

Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com

[rollinwithwillie]

Such great photos of the Big Bash 2022!! Do you know of people going June 25 2023? New to this page and just came across your thread. The photos at Ft Baker are really great! Thanks, Emily

[DadaCheese]

[DadaCheese]

Another great VW weekend...

"Camp & Shine"

VW meet/show/camping in the town of Lakeport on Clear Lake, CA.
Show day was Saturday, June 17th, 2023.
This show happens on Father's Day Weekend each year
(except a few missed due to the pandemic).

Perfect sunny weather this past weekend for the event; it was great that it has returned.
This is one of our favorites since the group that puts it on NAG (Norcal Aircooled Group) are really friendly and welcoming to all the participants.

We are fortunate to enjoy the company of many NAG folks at a variety of VW meets and cruises.

It's also a great meet since you can camp with everyone if you'd like on Friday and/or Saturday night...

...and the awards for the show are participant adjudicated; if you entered a car in the show, you get to vote.

Turn out for the meet was a bit smaller than in years past, but then again, it been about three years since this show has had the opportunity to happen.

The only class of car that was missing this time was Type 3... if a single Fastback, Notchback or Squareback would have made it I imagine they'd win first AND second prize!

Kathy and I brought both "The Toaster" as well as "Shamrock Shake" to the meet:

You can blame it on the smaller turn out this year, and/or the kindness of the participants who voted for our VWs, but we actually took home 1st place in our classes; Stock Bus and first for the Karmann Ghia class.
We both feel very appreciative and were very pleasantly surprised.

The raffle again was great too; a lot of fun, useful and interesting prizes.
And naturally there were just amazing VW to see and enjoy...

You should be able to see all of the snapshot photos I took here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?...ts=summary

A big thank you to NAG, to everyone who helps put on this wonderful meet, and to everyone who made it out. It was wonderful spending time with everyone.

In other news; there's all kinds of things that I haven't had time to post about over the past month or so (Such as "Bus City" which had happened).
...but not to miss anything in the near future...

Upcoming:

The NorCal Karmann Ghia Enthusiasts group will be having a cruise to a winery to enjoy a picnic on Saturday, June 24th, 2023 meeting at 11am.
You don't have to have a Karmann Ghia to tag along, but they do like to park the Ghias next to each other.

"We will meet at the Castro Valley Farmers Market next to the Bart Station off of Redwood Road at 11am (21013 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546) to get lunch for the picnic, then we will cruise together along small winding roads to get to the winery by Noon.
https://www.twiningvine.com/ "

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I also want to encourage people to make it to the:

June 25, 2023 - California Bug Bash
Antioch, California
Bug Bash 2023. ALL Volkswagens regardless of year, model or condition are invited to participate in this show and swap event under the trees at the Contra Costa Event Park. This year's special display is the Beetle Convertible. Drivers who bring their Beetle Convertible are admitted free and get special front-row parking. People's Choice Awards voting for the Top 10 vehicles registered. Gates open at 8:00am and all inclusive (display/show/swap) is still only $10 per adult and kids under 12 are admitted free.

Kathy and I can't make it to Bug Bash, but would if we didn't have a prior commitment.
_________________
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Dada as in dadaism.
Cheese as in the stuff I love to eat.