Date:         Fri, 10 May 2002 22:30:40 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: the term "barndoor" bus... & Split door options
In-Reply-To:  <01f401c1f7e4$e9205920$6401a8c0@elkrdg01.md.comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Chris is absolutely correct.  For reference see Laurence Meredith's Original
>VW Bus which is a pretty comprehensive guide to Volkswagen Transporters
>1950-1979.  As a member of NEATO and collector of pre '68 buses, I was
>educated by my brethren years ago that the engine lid is the reason for the
>name Barndoor although many people commonly believe that the side doors was
>the reason for the name Barndoor.  Two other distinguishing features of the
>Barndoor is the single pod dash (except for the deluxe models) and the
>unvented brow on the split window bus where in 1956 the overhead airvent was
>added.  Post '55 Buses are not known as barndoors although the vast majority
>of these retained the two large side doors.

A rare option on the 1966-67 Splits was the sliding door (to which VW
holds the patents) instead of the horrible hinged double doors, which
tend to uncurl so the don't anything LIKE shut flush, and also split
across the middle.

Not sure when walkthrough became available, but at least the later
Splits had the option available.

[Gee... a stock-bodied 67 Split Samba (21-window) slider/walkthrough
with G50 trans, Subaru power and CV-jointed rear-end... YUM!!]

Split Sambas (23-windows) at least as early as 1951 had a full-width
dashboard with Split Bug/Kubelwagen instrument panel and a big clock
in a similarly-shaped insert on the passenger side, with another
similar insert in the center containing a radio/speaker.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut