TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Oct 10, 2010 5:40 pm

With motivation and inspiration being provided by the current "54 single cab" thread restoration, I am finally getting around to doing some work on my 54 cab. Here are some pictures of it.

The original paint below the primer on the drivers door is amazing, but after removing some of the prime in other places, I'll have to paint most of it. I can see why people admire the OG paint. I got the typical rust issues to deal with and will probably be posting alot on the paint and body forum in the coming weeks for insight. I have most of the replacement panels that I think I'll need. Had some new channels made for the gates, and I have most of the bottom floor out, but trying to figure out how one welds that into place.

chasis number: 20-087146

Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:06 pm

Good luck with your restoration.
Very nice the single cab bd.
Where have you find it?

Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:52 pm

If you are going to paint the truck and dont mind separating the door someone might trade you a nice solid door for your Original paint drivers door if they needed it to complete an original paint bus. If your open to that idea at least throw it out there.
other than that, it looks like a real nice project.

Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:42 pm

I started this weekend on the gates and had a question regarding what others might have done to "enhance the engineering" of the gates for longevity. I noticed the piece of metal on the inner "outer skin" of the gates where the hinge is place....what was this for? My replacement channels are slightly thicker than the original channels. Getting the channel out of the outerskin lower overlap looks cumbersome. Of those who have done this, do you just chisel out that portion? So far it hasn't been too bad. Fortunately Gerson makes them, but I thought I'd try to restore what came with cab, since I had another set of gates for spare parts.

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Sat Dec 04, 2010 7:39 pm

Had a chance this weekend to work some on the project. Between working on the channel replacements, I decided to see what was underneath the red primer. It was painted back in the 70s, then sat outside. The Easy Clean worked pretty well. The portion of the door I cleaned up was ok. I took some of the primer off on the front, and the OG paint is pretty thin there. But the doors are cleaning up ok. I'm unsure yet whether I'll try to keep the OG paint or remove it all to paint it in the spring.

Before

After

Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:17 am

That SC looks quite solid, great project !
I'd suggest leaving as much Original paint as possible. The factory paint is a shiny work of art and looks even better when showing its age.
Here's how my d's door looks after a bit of work ( and more to come :wink: )

keep us posted on your efforts, good luck and have fun !

Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:02 pm

Any updates on this cool truck? :D

Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:19 pm

Nice Project Man! Cannot wait for progress pics. Thanks for sharing :D

Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:52 pm

Still working on it. I got a shipment of green metal to put on in June when I'm taking off two weeks to work on it. I'm having some difficulty in getting the hinge screws out of the treasure chest door and engine lid. Had a screw extractor that broke in the screw when I was trying to get it out. I've searched the forums, and I guess I'll try welding a nut on it to see if that works....Pics to follow, but I only have time on the weekends to work on it, so it is going way too slow. I should just put in the engine and drive it... :D