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VW Samba Surf Woody Bus


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Well I finally had a chance to photo the completed model, even though it debuted at the CARS in Miniature annual banquet of January 10. A missing window and incomplete surfboards remained to be done. Also, to get it “done”, I didn’t go through a final round of paint polishing, so the paint job is only adequate to me.

I am not a van person, so this stretched me out of my comfort zone. I am told this is a circa 1961 VW Samba and I tried to do something early 60’s with it. To go with that theme, I decided to do a “Woody”. Now Woody’s of that era were generally plastic appliques on station wagons. I decided that was the approach to take. To do that, I used Evergreen strip and quarter round to generate the ribs. I then drilled out spots and applied Callibre 35 round head rivets to simulate mounting hardware. I then applied Fred Cady woody decals I had in the decal stash to finish the effect.

As this was not a factory option, the appliques is asymmetrical. There were enough door hardware intrusions without trying to figure out what to do with the gas cap cover and side air vents.

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As this was to be a van for surfers, I kept the rubber floor mat; did a tan vinyl seating and added a wood deck in the trunk area behind the seats. I also excluded the center seat and added a table for use at the beach. I dug into the parts box and pulled out an old AMT record player (49 Merc perhaps? Need to check on that). I also photo reduced surfing record album covers and included them along with some coolers and bongo drums (again the early 60’s theme). I looked online and found some early 60’s rendition of surfboards. I chose the wood styles (to keep with the woody theme), graphically manipulated them and created custom decals to cover.

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I used ACME license plate site to create an early 60’s license plate VWOODY for an extra touch. And finally, what is a surf van without a wahine?

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Anyway, this year’s theme is anything goes, and I am looking at doing a 32 Hi Boy for that. Much more to my mind set, other than what engine to use.

Thanks for looking!

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Not that it adds or takes away from your model so maybe more like an FYI...

1961 was the last year for the "bullet" front turn signals and also the small round taillights. And, since 1963 was the last year for the 23-window bus, your model would represent either a 1962 or 1963.

Nice job on it either way! :P

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Not that it adds or takes away from your model so maybe more like an FYI...

1961 was the last year for the "bullet" front turn signals and also the small round taillights. And, since 1963 was the last year for the 23-window bus, your model would represent either a 1962 or 1963.

Nice job on it either way! :P

Thanks for that. Revell AG is not clear on year and the limited research on it lead to an early 60's, so I assumed 61.

Seaside Oregon, eh? Our favorite Oceanside haunt is Cannon Beach where we like to stay at the Hallmark Inn near Haystack Rock! Are you tied in with the SABA folks in Portland?

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Seaside Oregon, eh? Our favorite Oceanside haunt is Cannon Beach where we like to stay at the Hallmark Inn near Haystack Rock! Are you tied in with the SABA folks in Portland?

I love Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock! I'm actually going to my first meeting with the SABA guys tomorrow!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Cowabunga man, that is so cool. And I still have both of those record albums. Nice build.

Be Well

Gator

Still doing the things I did when I was 16. Surinf and building models................................. and more .but if I tell ya bout that..............................................i'd have to kill ya!!! lol

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Looks great! I don't care for the wood paneling, but it is an accurate representation of what people were doing back then.

The only thing it needs, I think, is the ragtop should be the same color as the tan interior, it kinda blends in with the roof color.

I wimped out since it appeared too busy already, so I decided to flat white the ragtop. My intent on the wood paneling was to do as you mentioned.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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