Author Topic: Barndoor Sc Saga Continues! (Read 4207 times)

Trevor P · « **on:** October 18, 2004, 06:49:37 PM »

I finally got my birth certicate from Wolfsburg for my '53 BD SC. I am now armed with the correct info in order to restore this truck including the engine #. I bought the truck with the original engine missing, but as luck would have it, when I was in Moosejaw that same weekend searching for the truck, I happened to go to the "local" museum. There, I happened across an aircooled VW engine sitting on display in a dark corner. Being the inquisitive VW freak I am, I jotted the engine # down noting that it was indeed an early type2 engine. Did some research and found that it was a March 1953 T2 25hp engine....hmmm my truck was built in Mar 1953 what are the chances!?.
Sure enough I get the birth cert. today and blam....the engine in the museum is indeed the one that left with my truck from the factory on March 12 1953.
I contacted them and told them the complete story. I offered to build an exact copy (36er though) of the engine to replace the one I need...no such luck. I offered to purchase it...still wouldn't agree. They will have none of it no matter how I slice it. They didn't even know what it was until I told them!

I really need this engine to make my barny a 100% correct piece of VW history, so if anyone has any ideas, or knows anyone connected with this museum, then please let me know.

Matt · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2004, 07:16:31 PM »

That's an awesome story! I say you get a buddy, maybe 2 and go get it. You need a distraction though....maybe someone could explode something on the other side of the building why you hi-tail it outta there, og engine in hand.

I gotta stop watchin the dukes of hazzard....

Trevor P · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2004, 07:21:39 PM »

LOL! :lol:
It's tempting I must admit, but I'm trying the diplomatic way first.

slammedbus · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2004, 08:10:49 PM »

I'm in for the distraction. Maybe the ol' squished rat against the window :ph34r: .......compressed ham just doesn't seem to phase anyone anymore...

Chris · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2004, 09:01:42 PM »

Count me in too! I am so in! It would be well worth the trip!

SAVE THE VW's !!!

Mowser · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2004, 09:17:29 PM »

You got my assistance if you need it. Being an electrician has it's priveledges. Massive power outage perhaps?

On a serious note.......... perhaps you could work a trade for something they would like for the museum. Since VW obviously isn't their forte keep an eye out for something they MAY be interested in.

2 cents.........it's about all I have to give

Custom76Bus · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2004, 09:27:04 PM »

Ask them why its so important to them in the first place, what they're trying to show/represent with it. If they're motivated by the preservation of old things to teach or whatever - then they should be excited about the prospect of enabling you to have THE ONE and ONLY correct engine for that bus.

I find it hard to believe that they won't let you take it for anything. There must be something ELSE they can use to illustrate whatever they're trying to show.

Good luck though, and yea if diplomacy doesn't work... try payin off a janitor one night... they probably wouldn't even notice if the engines were swapped :ph34r:

James Buchan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2004, 09:35:22 PM »

Do they have an email address? Maybe a few hundred emails explaining the importance of that engine for your resto might help.

silas · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2004, 10:35:07 PM »

what an incredible story. that motor definately belongs in your bd single cab.

try bribing them with a 6 pack of wildcat and a dozen tim hortons donuts.

if that doesnt work, take some incriminating pictures of the museum head in some akward positions with some wild buffalo.

and if that doesnt work, it looks like the asf members are going to vacation in moosejaw this winter.

we gots yer back man. lets make it happen. B)

Matt · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2004, 10:48:54 PM »

Sweet!!! vacation in Moosejaw.....

Chad M · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2004, 04:02:35 AM »

Trevor, I think you need to find out who donated the engine to the museum first off. If that person is still alive convince him/her that it is the right thing to do. Then have that person call or go there and offer the old switch a roo (plan A). Really, I doubt there is any significance to the engine other than it probably is used in reference to one of the many 25 and 36hp engines used around this countryside as generator and compressor engines in the gas and oilfield. Good luck, keep trying.

Trevor P · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2004, 11:16:20 AM »

Thanks for all the ideas and support guys!

I've gotta a lot of planning and organizing in order to go about getting this thing. The lady I talked to was obviuosly the wrong person to deal with. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress. That email list idea is a pretty good idea....shows that I'm not just some nut ball off the street that wants something from their collection.

slugbug · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2004, 06:11:46 PM »

Did you show them the birth certificate proving that it's your engine?
\"The filthy Hobbits, they stole the precious from us they did\"

Trevor P · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2004, 08:42:27 PM »

Nope, didn't have it at that time. Now that I do, it's definetly gonna be shown to them. I plan on getting as much factual info on my barndoor, and others. Also try to get help from people on the net (like here) by getting an email list together to show them that I have the support of a very large \"community\".

70's Looker · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2012, 09:45:17 PM »

bringing out the dead here BUT any luck on the engine yet??

Trevor P · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2012, 06:08:10 PM »

No, but just recently I ended up meeting/befriending the conservation manager of the WDM here in Saskatoon. He said there is no way they would ever release it now that it is in the collection since it was a donation (he's a car guy and had empathy for my situation). The only way it would be released is on loan to another museum.

I'm not too worried as the 2180 will be powering it soon but it would be nice to get the correct engine for it, then I will have everything to make it 100% #'s matching one day.

On a side note he did put me onto a 52 CC split that the museum was offered this year. They refused since it had no documented historical significance to the province and was in real rough shape.

billybob57 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2012, 07:57:01 PM »

This is sad...when i first read this i was thinking you should go the the cops and say that my engine was stolen!!!! and you have documentation that the 53 sc belongs to you if the #s on the engine match your birth certificate then that would be the route i would go... it doesnt matter who owns it now if you have proof it was yours and from your Bus you should be able to get it back!!! doesnt hurt to try that !!! Good Luck!!

Trevor P · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2012, 10:15:48 PM »

Quote from: billybob57 on January 20, 2012, 07:57:01 PM

This is sad...when i first read this i was thinking you should go the the cops and say that my engine was stolen!!!! and you have documentation that the 53 sc belongs to you if the #s on the engine match your birth certificate then that would be the route i would go... it doesnt matter who owns it now if you have proof it was yours and from your Bus you should be able to get it back!!! doesnt hurt to try that !!! Good Luck!!

Sounds great in theory but as we all know the cops have better things to do like give out speeding tickets.

blue bus · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2012, 08:03:39 AM »

Did your friend from the museum ever tell you what historical signifcance that engine has for them?
If they turned down a donation of the 52 why keep the donated engine?

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2012, 09:02:37 AM »

It appears as if you have always dealt with the museum "manager". More than likely they are not authorized nor are they willing to start making calls on whether or not to sell museum inventory. This could set a precedent that they surely do not want to start. Your solution of replacing the engine is reasonable and by the sounds of it, the particular engine they have really has no significance to the museum (It's just a 1950's VW engine used in Saskachewan for....).

I believe you need to start moving up the line and document your rationale by creating a well thought out letter. A letter of support from the Donator (or family in they are no longer alive) will also provide addition support. By documenting and moving to the next person of authority Senior, Manager, then to Board of Directors, etc... it shows professionalism and will also provide discussion beyond one person that really does not want start selling museum items. In addition, you will get documented responses which always requires them to really think about there responses as it goes beyond a verbal "no".

My .02 cents.

Good Luck!

vwboop · « **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2012, 02:34:33 PM »

Wish you luck Trevor. Having your truck's og motor would be fantastic!

BUSDADDY · « **Reply #21 on:** January 21, 2012, 06:00:14 PM »

^Good point^

AFAIK the group mentioned previously is primarily a non profit volunteer group, to qualify for tax deductible status with Revenue Canada they have to adhere to thier constitution and follow accepted practices within the museum community regarding disposal of donated items that tax deductible reciepts were issued for. If it's anything like the museum I was involved with they can trade between like organizations, if the artifact isn't deemed to be of significant historical value it shouldn't be an issue, but if part of the accession agreement with the donor specifically states it's gotta stay there they're screwed. Time to form your own museum or make friends with another similar organization that can do some 3 way trade deal, wouldn't be the first time either has happened. Or consider investing some volunteer time, you'd be suprised how nice the higher ups get when they find someone who is willing to sweep the floors and take out the garbage instead of the common bored guy who shows up and wants to immediately be a driver, pilot or head restorer without all the dirty work, you never know, you may even learn something cool from the seniors there.

Trevor P · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2012, 06:34:45 PM »

All good points. vwboop, you have to edit your post now that I edited all my old ones.

Some of my contents were stated at a time when I was still fired up about the whole process . I forgot this thread even existed til Kevin brought it back from the dead.
I'm gonna chat with the conservation manager a bit more about this. He will be giving me a private tour in the near future of the contents of their storage facility/restoration center where all the stuff that is behind lock and key and not available to the regular public. He has no idea why the engine is even at that museum, but I will get him to do some digging if he's game.

To be honest though all I'm really focused on right now is getting the truck done.

silas · « **Reply #23 on:** January 21, 2012, 08:18:04 PM »

doesnt sound like that museum motor is going anywhere soon, so it'll be there when you have the time to pursue it further!!

Quote from: Trevor P on January 21, 2012, 06:34:45 PM

To be honest though all I'm really focused on right now is getting the truck done.

really looking forward to seeing your truck back on the road trevor...you & ken are doing some great work!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=440921

Bruce · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2012, 02:03:03 PM »

Quote from: Trevor P on January 20, 2012, 06:08:10 PM

No, but just recently I ended up meeting/befriending the conservation manager of the WDM here in Saskatoon. He said there is no way they would ever release it now that it is in the collection since it was a donation (he's a car guy and had empathy for my situation). The only way it would be released is on loan to another museum.

Here's a way. Get this new friend in S'toon to "borrow" the engine for a theme they are working on. Have him tell them he wants the engine for 6 months or more. Then when it arrives, duplicate it from your stash of parts. When your friend returns it, they'll never remember any details differentiating it from the real McCoy.

Bruce · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2012, 02:10:56 PM »

Another idea.
A local wrecking yard has a display case in the office full of car emblems. There's a big sign on it saying "Not for sale". I'm sure many have tried. I never bothered. But there was one I really wanted. I thought about it for a long time, then had an idea. It's a collection. I brought in an emblem he didn't have, then offered it as a trade. He thought about it for a while, then went for it.
What if you found something they would really like? Something that better fits the rest of what they have.

Author Topic: Barndoor Sc Saga Continues! (Read 4207 times)

Matt

Matt