How to find a good deal on your VW split window bus project

[@burningbananas70]

Thanks Mike for another on point video. My temptation of buying a overpriced rusty bus shell void of parts is gone... Especially when it comes to the missing middle and rear seats... Your advice is well received 👍🏻

[@Mikefngarage]

Rear and middle seats are avail reproduction tony makes good ones.

[@glotube1028]

Good info mike. I bought a 11 window for a covid project. Pretty cheap, needs rockers, cargo floor etc. It has good patina. Not in it for the money. I like patina busses and making it mine like art. Doing it on the cheap. The plan is fix structural rust, but no more. I figure 3000 in metal and rest labor get it on the road and and enjoy it. I’m diving in. What do you think about the patina bus crowd? I think it makes the swap meets and shows more fun. What do think 🤔

[@Hoodhistorian562]

that makes so much sense how you broke it down...... I too follow that model when I buy a bug..... my 65 bug was pretty much all there and the 71 vert all the dirty work was done..ie new floor pans and body and paint

[@ameerfinnegan3588]

You probably dont care but if you guys are bored like me during the covid times you can stream pretty much all the latest series on Instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother for the last days xD

[@bentonmohamed1369]

@Ameer Finnegan yup, been watching on instaflixxer for years myself :D

[@mallissamcgraw4535]

What about the 15 window splitty

[@AndyHinkson]

Should I back away from the 1967 vw bus my mechanic is selling? It needs rear and middle seats, and the paint is about as ugly as it gets, but its got a freshly rebuilt engine and transmission, and it runs and drives. It also may need a portion of the cargo floor by the cargo doors.

[@Mikefngarage]

sounds about normal for a dry project bus today. I just restored a westy that was worse than that.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Damn, I can't believe how much they're going for these days! I bought mine for one grand, 20 years old, no rust, no parts missing; drove it around for 15 years before selling it. What a workhorse it was. Camping, construction, daily driver. Guess I couldn't afford it now.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

It was a California car

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

Well, you've almost scared me away from an 11 window with all parts, extra windows, straight clean roof and front, some lower rust on inside of cargo doors, extra driver's door and comes with new rocker pans for nine grand, doing most of the labour myself but I'll definitely give it somemore thought. thx. Any suggestions, please let me know!

[@Mikefngarage]

dont be scared of that one. Pretty easy to fix that stuff. Lower door inners are avail at Bustoration. Weld in easily. LOwer outers will probably be rusted as well also easy Might need. get some rust converter. a must. I have videos on replacing panels but not that many bus stuff. Wasnt doing videos at that time.

[@Mikefngarage]

from what you have to finish budget will be around 6 grand minimum. as long as you dont go crazy on sheet metal parts or need seats or have too many small parts missing. This will depend on weather you do your own upholstery. If you have it done it will go up. if you get original reproduction it will cost much more than that. 2800 for seat covers and door panels from wolfsburg west or tmi. Same.

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

Mike F - Every original part is there, even small parts. It is a walk through and both driver and passenger seats but they do need upolstering. Also has two original bench seats, one with a rip on the back rest. It's been garage kept for the past 16years and used as a daily driver...2nd owner. Complete rebuilt 1600cc and is 12volt. Tranny, brakes all good. There is a full length vertical crack in the passenger front windsheild but once I register it, my insurance company will replace it for $200.00. Thanks for your videos Mike, much appreciated! Too bad you couldn't offer an email address so we could ask you questions off line.

[@Mikefngarage]

you can go on my channel and go to the about part and send private message.

[@sigmanfloyd6609]

Rust converter, can you give me an example or maybe I know it as being called something else? Thanks again for the replies!

[@sammyscellojourney3851]

Hey Mike, I'm about to drop $28000 on a '63 double door with mothing inside, but the restoration is pretty beautiful. Would you help me out and check it out if l send you a link? I know there's only so much you can do by viewing pictures but anything would help me....

[@Mikefngarage]

It seems a bit much for a restored panel. Should be a max of 26. If it is really cherry and not wavy and stuff that might be right. sure send me a link if you have video footage.

[@sammyscellojourney3851]

thanks so much for your response, it's actually a double door 11 window, l have to get permission from the owner to do the video, but l will try to send it to you as soon as l can....thanks.

[@Mikefngarage]

all I can say is I sold several 11 window busses restored but a little wavy all seats (bay window except front) full upholstery 2 tone paint, new transaxles with 3.44 gears and solid or rebuilt engines. The MOST i can get for those is 26000. 8 out of 10 work quality. everything done brakes and tight front end. I tried and tried on the last one to get 28 and I just couldnt get it. That is a panel no window rubber no 2 tone paint no upholstery. I think that is a premium price for a panel. Yea its rare but have you driven one? they are so loud and you cant see anything to change lanes. honestly unless you just want a panel I would look for one with windows. You really cant see anything when you drive that.

[@sammyscellojourney3851]

as l said on my last response, this is a double door 11 window, does that make any difference to you on the price?

[@Mikefngarage]

if the work quality is really really nice I could see dropping 28 for an 11 window dd. But you say no upholstery. What is done on the inside front seats? if you need to do all the uphostery and you do it yourself it will cost quite a bit to finish still looking at spending 5 grand on the interior. No rear seats too. but because its a DD and a 11 window you in the ball park somewhere. if the quality of the metal work and paint is not so great might still be a bit high.