1957 kombi

[fig]

This past weekend Gisela and I drove a 2,200km round trip to pick up this 57 kombi. Thanks to Eugene (SambaOwner) for passing the deal to me, thanks to Chris for pics etc, and thanks to Chris Jansen for this bus, as well as all the others I got in the deal.

As found:


First peak into the light:


Onto the trailer:



On the road:



Home and dry:





I'm totally wasted right now and need to get some sleep before work tomorrow.

Plans for this bus are a full restoration to as close to original as possible. I will NOT be painting it. I'll post a parts wanted shopping list shortly. This bus was built in June 1957, one month after my other 57 kombi. I will probably steal parts like taillights from that bus for this one, unless I can find correct lights etc for this bus.

[Chris]

My pleasure fig

Congrats on the new bus.

[Dutch_Diver]

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Fig!

There's going to be many more sleepness nights when you get started on her.....she needs some loving care and attention and then you have to do the bus!

[Dirk]

Excuse me... but isn't that a fastback behind the yellow beetle in the fourth picture?

[buddy]

i just want to say thanks a million to fig and his wife for passing on the other busses u are truly angels in disguise this busses will het all the love and attention they deserve long live vw aircooled

[fig]

Excuse me... but isn't that a fastback behind the yellow beetle in the fourth picture?

It's a Volvo PV544. Not much left in that yard for ACVW enthusiasts after this weekend ...

[Eugene]

Enjoy Fig! I see restoration started already! Looks great with the badge fitted

Glad you're all home safe. Should tell us more about the camping experience though

[Sambabus]

Nice Chum,that looks like a great bus,was it stored inside all these years?If so it should be fairly rust free.Very nice,Im super jealouse!

[fig]

Nice Chum,that looks like a great bus,was it stored inside all these years?If so it should be fairly rust free.Very nice,Im super jealouse!

Yes, it is very dry. The only real rust is a small hole in the cargo floor just inside the doors.

Chris Jansen, who sold me the bus, stored it under cover for many years. He bought it from a scrapyard in Kuruman, where it had also spent many years under cover, working as the scrapyard owner's office. That probably also explains the many missing parts, like the lights and the rear cargo door, seats, etc.

[fig]

While I am very happy to have scored this bus, it does present me with a dilemma.

When I first saw photographs of it I knew I wanted it. At the time I was told it was a 58. I have for many years owned a 57 Kombi, which is 99% complete, but which was given an average restoration (including repainting it a shade or two off the original dove blue) many years ago. This has always bothered me about the bus and I have always been on the look-out for one in original paint.

Then along came the "58". Once I got it home, I ascertained that it is in fact a 57, built in June, while my "old" 57 was built in May. And here lies my dilemma. Since committing to buy the other bus, I have had the intention to use the two buses to build one as correct and original as possible, then to sell the other, also complete, but with incorrect year parts. Now that I find the two buses were built a month apart, I feel even better about this idea.

BUT ... I'd rather not molest my "old" 57. I intend to do a full inventory of the parts I need to complete the "new" 57 this weekend, and then I'll post the shopping list here in the hope that forum members can help with parts. But it seems unlikely that I'll find the centre brake light and taillights (hen's teeth and VERY expensive). I also need an engine and a correct transmission.

What does everyone here think? Am I just being sentimental? Should I just go ahead and cannibalise the old 57? Should I try everything I can to source the parts for the "new" 57 and keep the "old" 57 in its current condition?

I've pretty much already decided; I just want to hear others' views.

[beetlepower]

fix both

[fig]

fix both

The May 57 bus doesn't need any fixing. I'm proposing using it to fix the June 57 bus.

I'd love to not cannibalise the May 57 bus. If I can find the centre brake lights and correct taillights then I won't molest the May 57 bus, as the other missing parts shouldn't be too hard to find.

[Muderick]

Hi Fig, I saw the open space for the Hella brake light on Sunday... would the hooded type fit reverse/ brake light fit into it or is the flush one only. There was a splitty camper in Henry's w/shop recently that had 2 of them fitted one on the right and one on the left...

I might have a hooded reverse/brake light at home....

IMO restore the June 57 without damage to the May 57... (you missed the 58 by 2 months dude!)... we wll all help you look for the necessary parts... I would not want you to rue your decision...

Is the attached light what you looking for? here the link.... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=568898...
$179 NOS

Muds

[fig]

Is the attached light what you looking for? here the link.... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=568898...
$179 NOS

Yes, that looks similar. I don't think I've seen Bosch lenses before, though, and the trim should be chromed.

That price is the main reason why I'm inclined to cannibalise the May 57 bus. I will definitely be selling one of these buses when I'm done.

[fig]

I just checked thesamba ad for the brake light. It lists the part number as beginning with 27, which makes it an ambulance part. Although it is very similar to the centre brake light, it is diferent; I suspect it's an additional flashing light for an ambulance, although it would probably work as a brake light.