Happy 60th… or is it?
No, I’m not quite there yet, but my classic VW camper might have reached the grand old age of sixty. Might have? Technically it’s one year older than that… so is it lying about its age or what?
When I first got the classic VW bus, I unlocked its m-code plate to find out a bit more about it.
The M-plate is a VW identification plate on the bus. Short for Mehraustattung (German for optional extras), it details production codes with information about equipment, manufacturing date, destination, specs and more.
From this, I found out that it was an early 1964 eight-seater microbus, produced on October 11th 1963 (which technically makes it a 1964 model year as from 1957, the Volkswagen model years changed in August).
So is it 60 or 61 years old? 61 by production year, 60 by model year.
Sixty something
Interestingly the bus was originally picked up by the first owner at the factory in Germany and was meant for the US market. Back in the day, Volkswagen had a Tourist Delivery Program where customers could buy a vehicle and pick it up directly from the factory.
This often meant that US Army service personnel or tourists could make a small payment (in the sixties it was $10) that entitled them to have the VW they had bought shipped back to the United States at Volkswagen’s convenience on one of their factory transport ships!
Phoenix from the ashes
Some of you might remember the worst photo I have ever taken. This moment ended up becoming quite a defining experience for me.
This is how I lost my previous camper along with everything I had with me on my European road trip at the time. It was a pretty traumatic experience.
It turned out to be a pivotal, fairly life-changing experience for me. It made me look at things very differently. Never had one of my favourite quotes become more poignant.
The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything
that you’re free to do anything
– Fight Club
However, from this nightmare, I then got to say hello to my ‘new’ 1964 VW original paint bus! Time for some self-indulgent birthday bus happy memories…
From the California coast to the southeast coast of England. The bus is a tough little character, performing admirably and taking me all over the place.
Highlands highlights
Scotland is spectacular. A country that feels like it’s just made for road trips and exploring.
From Glencoe, the Isle of Mull, Skye and the Outer Hebrides, there is just so much to see and be inspired by. The landscape is truly breathtakingly spectacular!
Non-stop to Ninove
The whole UK Cruise to Ninove and the weekend show that takes over the town in Belgium is a great experience. European classic car events like this are something special.
Hanging-out at Hessisch
Then of course there is the Hessisch Oldendorf show in Germany. It only takes place once every 4 years. As such, it attracts people and rare, and I mean really rare vehicles, from all over the world!
There is just so much to see and do at Hessisch. Great atmosphere, beautiful picturesque town and an array of air-cooled classics that will simply blow you away.
Plus of course, after the show, you can always go visit the VW AutoMuseum as well as the nearby Autostadt visitor attraction next to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg. Both are well worth visiting and a great experience.
Super Schwimmwagens
Then of course, one of my favourite parts of Hessich is getting to see the Schwimmwagens schwimmin in the local river…
Big up Ben Pon
The Ben Pon Barndoor gathering in the Netherlands was a fantastic opportunity to see so many Barndoor buses all gathered together in one place at the same time!
You even get to camp out with the big European campers on the road trip over!
Outer Hebrides
Although technically it’s nearer to Norway or Iceland than London or Hastings, the Outer Hebrides is a whole other level of experience. Quite unlike anything else I’ve encountered on mainland Scotland.
You get to drive until you run out of the road where you get to take it all in.
Life lessons
So what’s next on the journey? I’m not exactly sure.
Change is inevitable, it’s one of the few constants of life. Who would have thought that you could get to learn and experience so much in a 60-year-old classic camper?
Happy 60-something then, thanks for the memory-making moments!
10 thoughts on “0 to 60 in style…”
I remember reading this write up. That terrible fire experience must have been frightening. And heartbreaking. Your mention of the specification information plates reminded me of the Vincent Molenaar and Alexander Prinz book on what the plate numbers mean. The specification guide dates though are only from 1967 to 1979. The work involved in getting all the numbered information is fascinating. If you are interested in it simply for its informative insights, it’s well worth a look. Cheers.
Yeah, it took a while to get over it, I was really nervous for months just filling up with petrol just in case!
I should imagine it was impactful PTSD land for you. My Dad did the petrol directly into the carb scenario on his T25. The unexpected flame produced, blew back into his face. Luckily, superficial and no serious burns. And it didn’t catch in the engine bay either. Had the extinguisher in use really quickly. He was a REME in his army days and knew how ‘not’ to do this carburettor intervention in order to avoid this result.
All the best.
Yeah, it took a good few months for me not to feel anxious before turning the key to start the engine up after I’d filled up with petrol!
I can understand. My first fill up of petrol, after buying the Bus back in 2009, resulted in a strong petrol smell. My Dad said possible porosity of the upper pipe at the petrol cap end or a poor pipe joint, due to it being an old vehicle, could be a reason. Petrol evaporation. The smell disappeared after a day or two. I don’t know if it was correct. But do not fill right up to the top anymore and no more smell since. Even after the Bus has now been totally renovated. I suppose we tend to keep the same regimes going with old vehicles.
And make sure to check your fuel lines that they are not perished and are genuine ethanol proof rubber!
Thanks for this. I did have the Bus immobile for a long time. The Solex carburettor was cutting out at junctions, when idling behind a car in traffic, etc. The problem persisted on multiple interventions of changing carb internals, changing for a different Solex carb, etc. Hence getting this new Weber Empi twin port. Whilst the mechanic was doing this fitting, he took off the belly pans to reveal bad rust. It was a shock really. So a full on new metal work replacement, including new bell pans, jacking points, and more was done. Also, four layers of various protective paints and sprays now. At the same time, he did check all the underneath pipe work as you highlighted. So should be good.
As you suggest. When I looked into why I was getting Solex running troubles, the Ethanol deteriorating and gunge presence problematics came up. I used a petrol cleaner liquid initially, octane booster and only use E5 now. Also, I start the Bus up regularly to avoid petrol sitting in one spot for weeks to months on end. It was my daily drive as a nurse going to and from work. Retirement led to the Bus sitting inactive for really long periods. As did the frustrations of stalling continually. When retirement gave me more leisure time, I should have been out there, like yourself, driving and enjoying. But the house and garden needed a major overhaul which took a year.
Cheers and your advice is really appreciated. So thank you. All the best.
No problem
Good read thanks, do you know anyone who organise package deals for the Hessisch show ?
Thanks. Do you mean in terms of getting there and accommodation? Not aware of anything like specific like that.
BBT in Belgium normally organise a cruise/drive from theirs to the show for people if they want to do that sort of thing?