The Split Screen Van Club
You are viewing the Split Screen Van Club forum archive.
The forum archive is read-only.

Unfortunately in 2021 the Split Screen Van Club forum suffered a ransomware attack and lots of the forum data was lost.
What threads that have been recovered are now searchable on this site. Some threads may be incomplete and some images are still being recovered.

Forum archive search

Forum Archive > Rides and Projects

RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by steve j l » Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:03 pm
Hi to all in SSVC!

Hi all members of SSVC, My name is Steve!

I am new to this website and the VW scene in general. I retired last year at 64 now... & my son Paul assured me that if I invested some of my pension in a Split VW van I couldnt lose!! :roll:


I got the bus off Ebay last May from a guy in Basildon. He had had it for 6 years & although he had some really good work done on the chassis had never really got into the restoration.
When he got it, it had been stripped, blasted & primed & looked more or less like the picture I posted. It isnt registered & has no paperwork, so thats all i know of its history at present.
When my ssvc membership comes through I hope to do further searches through the club.
It didnt have an engine, engine compartment lid, passenger door window frame or rear hatch glass very little electrical components or wiring loom.
Although I havnt done much work on the bus yet I have sourced all the above missing parts & many more besides.

After removing a patch of loose filler, the original sealing wax red paint can be seen. So I will be restoring it to as near original condition as possible. 9 seater bus,
sealing wax red/beige grey with blue grey upholstery.
Original steel wheels & standard brakes & ride height. No slamin hear mate.!!!! (Do I hear all your interest fading rapidly).
The rear outriggers and jacking points need replacing & I have already got them.
The front 200mm of load space floor & bottom 200mm of bulkhead had been cut out to do chassis repairs & I think I will remove the complete floor to do a good job on the chassis.
I dont intend to start welding this year, just continue stripping down, assessing what is required, & buying parts as funds allow!!!!!
Be keeping you all updated as things progress
Steve. :)



Oh....and all help and opinions are welcomed with open arms, so feel free to comment on things Im doing wrong...or right!!
Its the only way this is going to be a successful project. :D



Image






Image







Image





My first purchase at a Vw Event was this!!
Volksworld 2012.
A Golde sunroof handle. :D

Image

Image


A great starting point!! :lol:
steve j l
SSVC Member
Posts: 333
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:58 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by 211vanman » Fri Apr 06, 2012 4:32 pm
Nice bus you have there - whats to do?? Rhd very nice? History ??
211vanman
SSVC Member
Posts: 1434
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 10:52 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by kilgore » Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:43 pm
Hello and welcome! Great looking project you have there!! What are your plans?
kilgore
Registered user
Posts: 1061
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:33 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by markp » Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:47 pm
Welcome to the club dude

What a nice way to spend your free time ................. On a splity :cheers:

Remember to post lots of pic's and enjoy the site ................. there are lots of very helpful people on here with a mass of history on theses buses so they know so much you want go wrong mate

I'll be watching ................. Great bus and great starting point

Mark
markp
SSVC Member
Posts: 4690
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2011 9:56 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by Sooty » Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:14 pm
I told my father to do the same and buy a 23 Barndoor for his retirement, but when I started talking about Wills in the next sentance he kinda clicked!!

What a great starting point! Are you fresh into VW's? Any info on your nest egg?

Welcome to the SSVC....

Sooty.
Sooty
SSVC Member
Posts: 10075
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:08 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by OxonPhil » Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:21 pm
Hi Steve,

WOW, a RHD 23 window........ 8) :cheers:

It looks like a very nice one as well :D

Welcome to the club.

If you have any questions, just post them up, and I'm sure someone on here will be able to help :D

I look forward to regular updates please (especially as you have all this time on your hands :lol: )

Cheers,

Phil. :D
(1960 LHD 23 window :wink: )
OxonPhil
SSVC Member
Posts: 2656
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:26 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by steve j l » Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:28 pm
Thanks everyone,
Nice to know im in good hands, and yes there will be loads of questions I will be needing to ask all you guys!!??
Your help, input, and encouragement is more then 'very' welcome. :D
I am an 'EX' Electrical Planning Engineer (retired now), I have my own workshop with nearly all the tools known to man!!
I can weld and fabricate to a degree!!......But enthusiasm is something I tend to lack!!! :lol:
And I have zero knowledge of Vw's... but im learning along with the help and encouragement of my son and.......you guys! :D

Thanks again.
Steve.
steve j l
SSVC Member
Posts: 333
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:58 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by Sooty » Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:37 pm
History of the bus? We normally see buses for sale on here!
Sooty
SSVC Member
Posts: 10075
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:08 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by steve j l » Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:55 pm
Some Inspiration!!!! 8)





1st show I had ever attended... Battlebridge. Fantastic show. :D
I also attended especially to view my van affter the show with a local guy who sold her to me.

Image




Volksworld 2012. Sandown park.

Image





Image






Image







Image






Image





Image





Image





Image






Image








Image








Image






Image





VW Action 2011, just up the road at Santa Pod!!





Image
Local VW enthusiast Biagio.
Very nice OG Deluxe.




Image
Wow!! 8O 8)

Bus stop over 2011.

Image




Mmm uninspiring!!! :cry:
Keep the faith!! :lol:

Image









Image







Image






Image







Image



A little video clip of when I first brought the van home!!!
Boys and there toys!!!


Image
steve j l
SSVC Member
Posts: 333
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:58 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by OxonPhil » Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:03 pm
steve j l wrote:
Image



A great starting point!! :lol:



Good news on finding a handle :D

The bad news is that the plastic ivory bezel does not fit onto the sunroof handle :cry:

You will need these 2 pieces as well :wink:

Image

The good news is that you have found one of the cab door bezels :cheers:

Image


I have to admit, I loved hunting down all the bits for the bus (although you will soon learn that there are A LOT of bits 8O )

As the others have said, please let us know on the history, and your future plans with the bus (stock, custom, lowered, colours, etc), we are such a nosy bunch :lol:


Regards,

Phil. :D
OxonPhil
SSVC Member
Posts: 2656
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:26 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by steve j l » Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:08 pm
OxonPhil wrote:
steve j l wrote:
Image



A great starting point!! :lol:



Good news on finding a handle :D

The bad news is that the plastic ivory bezel does not fit onto the sunroof handle :cry:

You will need these 2 pieces as well :wink:

Image

The good news is that you have found one of the cab door bezels :cheers:

Image


I have to admit, I loved hunting down all the bits for the bus (although you will soon learn that there are A LOT of bits 8O )

As the others have said, please let us know on the history, and your future plans with the bus (stock, custom, lowered, colours, etc), we are such a nosy bunch :lol:


Regards,

Phil. :D



Oh!!!! :(

Well least I got the right handle!! :lol:
Want to sell me those two bits I need!!!??? :wink:
steve j l
SSVC Member
Posts: 333
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:58 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by Sooty » Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:10 pm
Ok, maybe this helps!!!

From this....

Image

To this....

Image

To this....

Image

To this....

Image

To this....

Image

To this....

Image

So LOTS of pics needed as I'd love to start over again. It's costly, stressfully, annoying but god is it rewarding at the end!!!!!
Sooty
SSVC Member
Posts: 10075
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:08 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by steve j l » Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:17 pm
WOW!! You must be very proud to own such a beautiful Bus. :D
Thanks for the pics.
steve j l
SSVC Member
Posts: 333
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:58 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by OxonPhil » Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:23 pm
Sorry Steve, I've used them on my bus :roll:

However, you can get them new from here :wink:

http://vwsunroofs.com/index.php?main_pa ... ts_id=1061

I bought quite a few bits from this site, and the quality was very good indeed (and the owner was very helpful).

Phil. :D
OxonPhil
SSVC Member
Posts: 2656
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:26 pm

Re: RHD '59' 23 Samba... From Sweden.(My Retirement Project!)

by steve j l » Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:24 pm
Many thanks Phil. :D
steve j l
SSVC Member
Posts: 333
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:58 pm