In October of 05' Jorge called me and said there were two walk-thru double doors on the Samba in Clayton, NM. He knew I really wanted and early DD and was friend enough to call me up. I knew the bus because it had been at Buses and Balloons the year before. The owner broguht it down trying to sell it. It was a running/driving bus and super dry. Unfortunately, he had been told about how rare an early walk-thru DD was and had set his price at 12k. I looked it over and offered him 5k. He declined - I left him my number and told him call me if he changed his mind. Fast forward a year later and here the bus is on the Samba but not in the same condition. He had an engine fire and baked the rear end.
The price had gone from 12k to $2,500. I didn't have that much money free at the time so I did what anyone would do: I went out and sold my $5k Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop guitar for $2,500. We loaded up our trailers - drove to Clayton and picked up the buses (The other bus that Jorge bought was a 65 walk through DD Sundial). We came back home that night and I nearly hit a deer - I've never been so scared with a loaded trailer as I was when that deer darted out! I survived - the deer survived - and most importantly - the bus survived! Here'a a load of pics of the progress so far:
Here's how it looked when I got it. Note how dry the floors are.
Time to strip off the paint - one repaint over the og grey:
Here is the manufacture date stamp under the og paint: 10 3 60
Next a little sealer was in order. We did it two tone black over grey so I could decide if that's what I really wanted when it came time to paint. I originally wanted to do it black over silver - same scheme as the Harley Edition Ford trucks. I hate the trucks - love the paint scheme. I've since changed my mind
I love slammed buses with big motors - who doesn't? Here are some pics from the build up of the CB Performance. Narrowed beam. I narrowed it four inches total and run it with dropped spindles. In the rear I'm running a freeway flyer I bought fro mBrian up in Taos - THANKS BRIAN!
For the motor I am running a 2054.
Here's the bus today - almost ready to hit the street for the first time in awhile.
My plan now is to build the camping interior in time for summer vacation. After that, paint. I've decide to flip the colors - silver on top and black on bottom. Yes - that will require some seriously perfect body work - but I'm up for it!
Nice pics! Nice bus! It'll take me a while to really look these over. Thanks for sharing. 
