TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:24 am

In other posts I have had a few people interested in seeing more pictures of my bus. The short history of my bus: My bus is a '72 Panel that my dad built houses out of for 20+ years. My dad was the second owner and I am now the third. I was given the bus when I was 16, but I did have to plead and beg for it as it was and still is my dads favorite vehicle. Below is a picture of my self (3 yrs old) and the bus when it was the work truck.

These are pictures of when I first started working on it.

This is the interior with the pieces of the engine that I was keeping inside the bus until I could clean them and put them on the new long block.

More interior

The 1/2" closed cell foil faced foam insulation also in the walls

The engine compartment

I cleaned every single part, including the sheet metal screws and painted it with POR-15. I then put it all on the "New" long block. My journey with my bus has given me some good lessons;Know what the SAMBA is, never use a single weber progressive, and the best of all don't buy a long block from GEX! Lesson learned! Were moving on..... but I still am holding grudges.

My first engine install

The black coating you see in the engine compartment is a rubberized undercoating. I laid on my back for two days scrubbing, wire brushing, and cussing the underside of the bus. Once cleaned I coated the entire undercarriage of the bus.

Now for some after photos

I prepped and did all of the body work, I had the bus painted at One Day Paint in Redlands CA. I was very impressed with the overall quality of the paint job. It is doing what I want, keeping it protected from RUST!

The interior walls and sliding door are covered in strips of bead board. I used the individual 3 inch bead board opposed to one piece of plywood with the "bead" routered in. This allowed me follow the interior with better precision and the overall effect is seamless.

I built the bench seat, which folds into a bed. The seat lifts up to reveal a storage area that holds my Bose bass module, 12v battery charger and my 1500 watt inverter.

My seats covers were made by Sewfine, I purchased extra material and had a friend upholster my rear bench seat.

In the dash I have a VDO Tach, VDO oil temp, DD cht, Pioneer stereo, and an ipod dock in my ashtray.

Now the best part! My Camper Special Engine :D I know I need to move fuel pump and filter, Will do soon.

Live and learn...... Raby is the only choice! IMO

So everyone I have been on the samba for awhile and have made a few of posts. Now you know a little more about me and my Bus.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:58 am

AWESOME bus.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:45 am

NICE JOB.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:09 am

She's beautiful and the fact that she's been passed down from father to son adds even more to the story. The wooden bumpers are incredible.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:04 am

Great Bus and an even better story. Congrats!

Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:01 am

Very nice.

Your father must be proud of what you have accomplished.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:11 am

Nice job. Try not to molest that panel interior too much. Someday You might want to take it back to stock. Nice panels are hard to find these days.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:40 am

Very nice job! There's a white panel around here that I want, but it has NO suspension.
I'm not quite ready for another project. Just ask my wife!

Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:55 am

Nice, How does it drive?

I would think those single throats would be alittle small...

Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:08 am

Nice work, now buy a bumper.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:06 am

Love those mirrors man! Sweet bus & good work brother! Who's the photographer? Nice soft lighting on the flash!
:D

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:10 am

Dude.... There was a Hula Chick on the dash of my bus when I bought it... I still have her and will remount her once I've finished the interior...

Cool...

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:15 am

Thanks for your sharing. Great story and pictures. I love to see vehicles get handed down through the family and appreciated at each generation.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:18 am

Great story and VERY NICE BUS...

Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:25 am

You did a great job on your bus. Thanks for the pictures and the
great story that went along with it. I like your interior, nice and clean.

IMHO it just needs some vw bumpers to give it that finishing touch.

Bet you can't get rid of that smile on your face driving down the road.

Keep up the posts....

Kinsey

Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:48 am

Very well done...!!!

Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:53 am

Thanks brother, i guess that's cuz i asked for more pics of your bus eh!!

Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:54 am

Man i love Panels, used to own a 73 when i was in my very early 20's. Didnt realize what i had until someone offer me $4500 for it in a 7-11 parking lot. sold it right there and walked home. $4500 seem some much back when I was 20. I still am kicking myself for selling it.

Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:55 am

the bus is nice but the story of it is by far better, and that pic with you like 3 is the ****, if you ever sell that van and don`t give it to your kids i'll hunt you down like the dog you are, keep the tradition alive!!!!! 8)

Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:12 am

Very nice. Thanks for the story...