1955 BARNDOOR PANEL
Jan of 55, Vin #20-114468

 

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barndoor007.jpg (29212 bytes) barndoor018.jpg (42147 bytes) 55bdengine.jpg (58247 bytes) 55bdinsid.jpg (58730 bytes)

Uknown logos on side - any guesses?
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This panel was pulled from an east coast (closed to the public) junkyard where it had been sitting untouched since the 60's. It was bought from the second owner (junkyard owner) who learned to drive with this bus. All he did was drive it around the junkyard. Once he took it off the road, he put newspapers soaked in oil in the cargo area which left it in nice condition. This bus actually has 42k *original miles* on it although you can't tell from the photos. Just been sitting in severe humidity for 30 years. The front end parts and pedal assembly's and etc are in good condition. Engine was changed to a 25hp bug engine at some point in time (why would you downgrade to a less horsepower engine?)
The drivers rocker, drivers lower dogleg and a small portion of the driver floor next to dogleg are rusty and will need to be replaced, as well as one of the jack points. Also the lower nose and the section where the rear hatch screws to, is rusted out. Bus came with most all necessary replacement metal. Frame is solid and the bus is almost complete except for a few items I am still seeking..

MCODES
Anyone have any information on 018, 083 or 086??
Delivered to VW Canada ltd. in Toronto.
Notice this Mcode list - you will find the same grouping on other buses also delivered to Canada, so I think it is some kind of general import package of numbers.

018 Unknown
020 MPH speedometer
083 Unknown 
086 Unknown
090 Laminated windscreen
099 Snow tyres
Here's the factory certificate

bdcert.jpg (69073 bytes)


Traded my original Hazet toolkit for a complete Behr roof scoop assembly. Behr roof scoop is complete including all pieces. Even has the rubber strips still intact which direct the air flow from cabin to the back. Ambo fans are in working order. Has all badges and bulb lenses, and knobs.

behrluft.jpg (98924 bytes)

I recently acquired this Behr badge , which I have been told went in the engine compartment next to the vin plate. I'm also told it is just the VIN # for the Behr assembly. Can anyone verify this or know anything about this tag??? Looking for info or pictures of an original behr bus with this mounted???

behrtag.jpg (84445 bytes)

Check out this barndoor panel which was built 6 buses before mine. Also see the barndoor.dk registry for more Barndoor information.
Parts needed
Cash is waiting! quit hoarding all the parts I need! =)
Email me if you have or know where I can get these parts:

 Big diamond reflectors. 
Must say "
Frese ~ K1282" on the side ring

BDreflect.jpg (4747 bytes) bdreflekback.jpg (15768 bytes)
still searching as of 2008

Decklid with a good hinge

still searching as of 2008

PROGRESS

2008 Sitting in darkness while parts are sourced and other projects are completed to make room in the shop.
feb 06 Finally located 5 matching 16" barndoor rims! Very nice original paint.
end of 05 bought new Wiring Werks wiring harness
june 05 located NOS thin style decklid prop
Mar 05 Received new pieces..
55hanger1.jpg (23865 bytes) 55hanger2.jpg (25215 bytes)
Jan 05 Back to work. Cut out the decklid hinge hanger and drilled out a bunch of spotwelds. Waiting for the new decklid hanger piece from Duncan fagg. Still need to clean and prep the area before I can reinstall the new pieces when I get them.
 55deckbefore.jpg (16750 bytes) 55duringdeck.jpg (48168 bytes) 
Apr 04 Barndoor went into storage while I move to a new location...
Feb 02 Here's my progress on blasting. My oh my, what a little garnet sand will do to a rusty body! Here is the first pass that I did on a low pressure with 80 grit to avoid warpage.
bdblast1.jpg (216525 bytes)

When I was in the hospital with my wife while she was giving birth, it rained and coated my barndoor with a nice new coat of surface rust! =( My barndoor has its own special spot  in the garage for it, but I hadn't moved it back in yet cause of the blasting....
In this pic you can see the light brown spatters all over the panels from the recent rain. The darker spots are where the 30 year old rust had made its way thru the paint and etched the metal back in the day. I will address those spots with the blaster once I finish blasting the rest of the paint off the body.
bdblast4.jpg (39871 bytes)

January 02 Located and purchased:
Speedo Pod that came with a pre 53 speedometer. (Finally! this is the 4th pod I've purchased, and I think I will finally be happy with it.)

Blasting of the body has begun, Trying to decide what route to take with the inside, I don't want sand everywhere in the crevices.

December 01 The seller of my Barndoor had told me that the long strap was missing, so I never bothered to look cause a nasty dirty spare tire was on the tray and I hadn't removed the tray yet. Well I was about to bid on a spare tire tray that I found on Ebay. Picture showed that It had the long strap and that's what I need. But upon closer inspection I noticed that it appeared to be broken, slightly shorter. I mailed the seller to ask and he said he would go check but never mailed me back. Auction ended with zero bids.
I went out to look and see how much strap I still had left on mine, and I saw that the spare tire was still in there, still hadn't taken it out. So I pulled that nasty wheel out of there and what did I find coiled up underneath the tire? you guessed it, a nice full length long strap still attached! COOOOL
strap.jpg (32248 bytes)
November 01 Bought some NOS  barndoor wipers.
Bought a Pressurized blaster (not a siphon feed) to blast the body
July 25th 01 Located and purchased:
NOS barndoor taillights, Decklid prop arm
The decklid prop turned out to be bent due to false advertising, bummer
June 5th 01 Removed 25hp (sold it) and found a squirrels nest inside the fan shroud. Cylinders 1 and 2 packed full of cardboard and paper as well as a few chestnuts eaten out-
squirrel25.jpg (58229 bytes)
May 23rd 01 I now have a very expensive basket case! =) have the bus stripped down, ready to blast it.
Purchased :semaphore black knob NOS 
 2 mint Bakelite dome lights 
 very nice dash grab handle 
 Barndoor semaphore switch assembly 

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