TheSamba.com :: View topic - Volksarama "Bonneville Bus" becoming reality.

Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:00 am

Kevin kicked ass again at the end of the week and fabricated/installed the pre-64 window opening. He used an older style hatch and then grafted in two filler panels along the sides. I think he got it all done in a day. It totally changes the rear look of the bus. Next, Chris Clark, is going to be the removal of the fresh air overhang to make it look like a barndoor front end.

Before

After

Nice work Kevin. Remember that's THE WAGEN in Las Vegas.

Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:54 am

Who owns the bus?

It looks like it's going to be fast.

Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:12 am

You running thin wheels up front? You think at high speeds you could use a little more of a footprint. I know drag becomes an issue, but if you can't hold it steady, there will be no speed. Bus is looking good and thank goodness for all the sponsors.

Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:00 pm

didn't Dr. Porsche use 3" wide wheels with narrow rubber on his early auto-union race cars so they would track more straight on dirt roads?

Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:50 am

More work being done today. Chris Clark started the front roof rework on Friday. Monday he finished roughing in the overall shape. There is still alot of welding to do to connect the spot welds, but the shape is definitely there. All work was done at The Wagen. These boys do not mess around.

Before

Friday

Monday

Thanks Chris, awsome work as always.

Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:09 pm

Chris Clark wrapped up the metal fab on the roof this week. If you would like this done to your bus, either contact Chris Clark or The Wagen for more info on pricing. here's the final result

Next stop is right next door to Jim's shop called Sand Freak. Jim is an awsome welder/fabricator. He's finishing this rail right now. All in house designed and built (except drivetrain). This will be his signature car. He also does roll bars/cages, bumbers. sheetmetal fab, etc. Great guy and great work.

Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:12 am

this may be a stupid question, but what is the purpose of doing this?

Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:16 am

First and most important, it looks sweet.
Second it may provide less wind resistance/smoother profile.

Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:23 am

I thought it was cosmetic........that sure looks like some sweet metal work

Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:13 am

well its consistent with the barndoor theme..

looks good!

Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:53 pm

man that thing is gonna be awsome :) :) so when do you hope to be done by any sort of deadline or anything like that

Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:58 pm

i know its barndoor "themed" but i would have liked to have seen a truck rear window rather than a regualar rectangular rear window installed

Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:56 pm

...very true.

and longer vents

and no wiper recess

and maybe a short driprail

and maybe an opening rear hatch

some semaphores

wolfsburg bumpers

reflector recess...etc.

..kidding.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:43 pm

Alright, it's was really quiet last month because Jim, from Sand Freak had to complete the Mega-dollar sand rail for a customer. He was still working on the bus though, but what he was doing was laying the foundation for the cage. Very important work but not real interesting to look at. Well, this last two weeks he's been putting the actual cage in and it's starting to look like a race car. All the bars are not in yet, but you'll get the idea. Another couple days and the cage should be done then back to The Wagen to get the nose skin back on and rockers installed and misc metal work.
The first couple pics are just the attachment points under the bus.

Go to www.volksarama.com to keep up on the BVille Bus and show coverage

I'm still looking for a few more sponsors. Contact me if you want to get on board. Thanks, Derek

Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:31 am

I was going to ask you to help me move, now just forget it. How would we fit the sofa in there now. :lol:

Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:07 am

Alright, the cage is all done. My kids are gonna have fun playing on all the bars. Next it's headed back next door to The Wagen to get the nose skin put back on.

Gonna have to raise it a bit because of the extra weight.

Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:06 pm

well its gonna be uncomfortable for the passengers in the back with a dang roll cage in there way :lol:

Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:38 am

Alright I picked up the bus from The Wagen today. Kevin finished up putting on the E.I.S. donated front clip. Lookin sweet. Need to pick up some parts from Ronnie at Type2Parts.com to finish up the body.

Here's my boys George(right) and Kevin (AKA Pigpen). Happy to have the bus out of their hair. Thanks guys you have done an awsome job!!

My boy Dilan definitely likes the new set of monkey bars.

Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:40 am

Alright, I was able to obtain a couple new sponsors this week for the bus.
First is Dolphin Gauges and EZ Wire. Essentially two divisions of one company. Dolphin Gauges threw in a full set of their "Shark" line of gauges. The EZ Wire side donated one of thier complete wiring harnesses. The harness is fully wired from the OEM style fuse block and all the wires are lables every 5 inches to let you know which wire you are looking at. I chose the all black wire style and they do have a full color style too. Thanks guys for the support! Here's their links
http://www.ezwiring.com/
http://www.dolphingauges.com/

The second company is SWAY A Way. Brian, the owner, decided he wanted to let everybody know his axles will be in the project. S.A.W. is a very well known and established company known for thier high quality race axles and off road suspension products. They donated a set of their pre 66 H.D short axles. Thanks for the support Brian. Here's their link
http://www.swayaway.com/

Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:28 am

Flip the vents!

Bus is badass, great concept and execution so far. Best of luck to getting it done ASAP.