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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22466
Location: Escondido CA
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 Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| Peacevans wrote: |
The original plan was for it be there for a few years. We'll see how that goes with some many little hands and feet all over it all the time. We've been meaning to swing by and check it out lately and see how it's been wearing.
Regardless, anything that makes so many people smile is a good thing in our book.
Thanks!
Peace Vans |
I was there in the end of May in 2022 and he was gone. Time up I guess. I'm glad that this thread had some legs for sure. Peace Van and Ernie himself chiming in back in 2016. Time flew by on this one as it does not seem like 2016 when I did it.  Glad it was posted and all got to see it. Im sure there are hundreds of other pics out there from all the families with their kids crawling all around.
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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Ernie Punkin
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2014
Posts: 84
Location: Hawaii/B.C. Canada/Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:53 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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I was in Seattle a few weeks back and really wanted to get up to REI to look for him too, but never made it. I'll try to track him down. I want my brand-new Go Westy front seats back!
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1977 Westfalia "Happy"
Bye Bye 1979 Westfalia ERNIE the REI Bus
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Ion Pod Trailer |
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Clementine79
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2019
Posts: 322
Location: WA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| KentABQ wrote: |
I was in Seattle a couple weeks ago, and was looking forward to finally seeing Ernie.
But he wasn't there anymore!  |
Thats too bad, the REI in Spokane WA normally has a VW meetup every year in their parking lot as event for folks to come and see.
I wonder where Ernie ended up now?
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1979 VW BUS
Riviera Penthouse Model |
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4925
Location: Southern AB
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KentABQ 
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2016
Posts: 2406
Location: Albuquerque NM
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| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:00 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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I was in Seattle a couple weeks ago, and was looking forward to finally seeing Ernie.
But he wasn't there anymore!
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"
"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea
Bus ownership via emoticons:
        ---williamM |
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williamM
Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2008
Posts: 4333
Location: southwest Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:00 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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Count me in--  "Bill's PIL" is still in the garage.
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some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.
opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.
Don't step in any! |
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Ernie Punkin
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2014
Posts: 84
Location: Hawaii/B.C. Canada/Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| driverinmyhead wrote: |
And I don't have to mention that our VeeDubs release us from this crazy modern world (seriously, 25 uphill in 2nd gear).
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driverinmyhead, so true!
i think transporters should now be called teleporters. driving them really does time warp us into a different reality. i love the forced slow lane effect as we rumble down the road.
maybe we should start a "got *bleeped* by my first orange bus" club? 
_________________
1977 Westfalia "Happy"
Bye Bye 1979 Westfalia ERNIE the REI Bus
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Ion Pod Trailer |
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driverinmyhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2012
Posts: 122
Location: PacNW
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| Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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Too cool!
It's at the flagship store? Gotta go check it out!
My first bus was pumpkin orange! I got screwed too! (LOL). Body was rust free, engine was rebuilt (thoughtfully reassembled).
Live and learn...
My kids LOVE our bus! (as they should). And I don't have to mention that our VeeDubs release us from this crazy modern world (seriously, 25 uphill in 2nd gear).
Good on REI!!!!
I have given them a fortune over the last 25 years! About time they give back to US!
Also..... so cool when someone comes forward to verify the history (thank you world wide web)!
Go Ernie! |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22466
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2016 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| Ernie Punkin wrote: |
| wcfvw69 wrote: |
| jtauxe wrote: |
| wcfvw69 wrote: |
The previous owner stating she Ernie was a rusted mess underneath. |
FTFY |
But.. what if Ernie was transgender?!!?! |
He could have fooled me, but if Ernie were to put up his own Facebook page I'm pretty sure he'd declare as single male. He seemed to always be saying, "quit fussing with me and let me go burn some rubber. i gotta date with a fat chick i gotta get to." |
Huh, thats funny. I say the same thing!
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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Ernie Punkin
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2014
Posts: 84
Location: Hawaii/B.C. Canada/Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2016 4:59 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| wcfvw69 wrote: |
| jtauxe wrote: |
| wcfvw69 wrote: |
The previous owner stating she Ernie was a rusted mess underneath. |
FTFY |
But.. what if Ernie was transgender?!!?! |
He could have fooled me, but if Ernie were to put up his own Facebook page I'm pretty sure he'd declare as single male. He seemed to always be saying, "quit fussing with me and let me go burn some rubber. i gotta date with a fat chick i gotta get to."
_________________
1977 Westfalia "Happy"
Bye Bye 1979 Westfalia ERNIE the REI Bus
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Ion Pod Trailer |
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wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| jtauxe wrote: |
| wcfvw69 wrote: |
The previous owner stating she Ernie was a rusted mess underneath. |
FTFY |
But.. what if Ernie was transgender?!!?!
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
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**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22466
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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Wow. Good to see the interest. Thanks for sharing the back story - thanks Peace VAN for brokering a deal with REI and keeping the bus faith and yeah - how cool is it to then see a story pop up for another person reignite their bus bug after seeing Ernie?
Everyone gets a  face. Don't worry about it, its on me 
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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jtauxe
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 5780
Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| wcfvw69 wrote: |
The previous owner stating she Ernie was a rusted mess underneath. |
FTFY
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15148
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 5:52 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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Go ernie, an ambassador to VW folkdom and ownership
a true steward for the mark.
he needs a "THeSamba.com" decal
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Ernie Punkin
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2014
Posts: 84
Location: Hawaii/B.C. Canada/Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:02 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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My boy Ernie is already doing his thing.
Here's a testimonial from mechanicjay about loving on Ernie and getting inspired to own a late bay camper bus.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=658097
Awesome!!!
GO ERNIE!
_________________
1977 Westfalia "Happy"
Bye Bye 1979 Westfalia ERNIE the REI Bus
-----
Ion Pod Trailer |
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Bleyseng
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 4752
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 11:26 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
| I still have a shirt or two.... |
You're on then for the switch as NO ONE will notice.......
_________________
70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles |
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Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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I still have a shirt or two....
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Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
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Lil Lulu
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2007
Posts: 1745
Location: Mouth of the Columbia
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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I'm sure it gets totally piled on by kids. They love buses. My friends' kids go apeshit when I drive up in one of the buses. It's part of the clubhouse/fort/campout fantasies that all kids have.
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'65 Beetle "Lil' Lulu"- Ruby Red
1600 stock from '71 bus
'72 Deluxe - Niagara Blue w/pastelwiess Camper Special 2L dual 40 Webers 002
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Pinetops
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2007
Posts: 2987
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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Cool story, sounds like it found a good home.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust." |
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zoobum
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2015
Posts: 211
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Ernie The REI VW Bus |
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| Wasted youth wrote: |
| Exactly! It helps take the sting out of the REI product pricing |
I hear ya, it can get pricey. If your a member though, they have a garage sale once a year with used gear up to 70% off.
Ive been a couple times and have picked up some awesome gear for really cheap.
Check it out here:
https://www.rei.com/promotions/garage-sale
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-Zach
1979 CA Riviera 2.0L FI  |
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