64 sundial. What do you think?

drumming123 · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:34 pm Post subject: 64 sundial. What do you think?

Well, here is the bus I had pulled out of a field and dropped in my driveway. It's a 64 sundial that has been beat to death. It was sold to me 'on the cheap' so I figured why not, it'll be worth more than that in parts or scrap weight.

I gave a brief history of the bus HERE in the bus hunting thread along with a few pictures of how it sat in the field. So now I've got it home and had a chance to start cleaning it out. The front floors are pretty rough along with the area where the spare tire sits (no holes here yet, but once i wire wheel it clean im sure there will be).

I just sold my daily driver bay window, and so have a few thousand (not enough to get a driving split that I’ve found) to put into a new project which will also need to be my daily. Basically i'm asking everyones opinion on what to do with it. Would you fix it and roll it? Is it too rough to even bother with on my budget? I don't particularly mind the aesthetics of it, with its acne scars and all, I'm more concerned of all the little pieces that could potentially nickel and dime me to death to get it driving.

I don't have welding experience, however i'm not afraid to try. I've found a lincoln 140c here on our local craigslist for $350 i was thinking about picking up. Enough rambling and on to the pictures, let me know what you’d do.

I present to you "Borrachos Bus"

As found:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Somewhat cleaned out:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

SingleWheel · Samba Member Joined: April 08, 2004 Posts: 133

That likes like original paint, and there seems to be a lot of it... Shocked

I'm not seeing anything that would stop me from making it a driver. Especially if you got it at a good price. Straighten out the roof as you go. Looks like the tranny is in it.

I like it...
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vintagevolks · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject:

drive it as is or part it out!!
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Emeritusx · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:04 pm Post subject:

Wow dude, poor bus looks beat... How's the front end? cant see anything there.. Looks like you got a lot of work ahead but it does have potential..

drumming123 · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:10 pm Post subject:

70 140 · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject:

I bet the neighbors love it Laughing

KombiMarc · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject:

Looks like a lot of work to me, I suppose make it a driver and roll it, or part it out and add to the bankroll you got started and find a better candidate. Good luck either way...!!
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my65vert · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:46 pm Post subject:

part it.
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cru62 · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject:

Matt, if you do decide to part it, I'd like to get some parts from you!
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cru62 · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject:

Matt, if you do decide to part it, I'd like to get some parts from you!
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hazetguy · Samba Member Joined: April 06, 2001 Posts: 8975

Campy · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:24 pm Post subject:

Don't part it out; get that sucker rolling. MIG welders are easy to use. Remember that the dents on the roof have ridges around them; tap them down to relieve the stress on the sheet metal to allow the metal to move up.
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Manfred58sc · Samba Member Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 350

Get it on its feet,that always makes projects less scary. I think it is very fixable,my sc was way worse. If you take your time and do a little every week it doesn't break the bank. I would give it a bit of a lift and "mountain bus" it that would look cool. Nice find..part the wrecks not the repairable..there are not many left as it is. Today's split are tomorrow's barndoors.

sventinker · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject:

you are a brave man for taking this one on!
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drumming123 · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:21 pm Post subject:

Well, I'll do one of two things with it:

1) Let it sit in my backyard and piece it together slowly as I hit swaps and gather cheap parts for it. I am not concerned with the body at all, I somewhat like it trashed the way it is, sort of tells a story about the life it's lived. I've seen much worse dug from the grave and put back together. I think Manfred58sc was right, if i get back on some wheels it'll be a lot less intimidating.

or

2) Part it out as KombiMarc suggested and use the funds in combination with my baybus funds to search for a better candidate.

Has anyone checked out THIS bus? I was thinking about making a drive out and looking at it tomorrow, but if anyones already done so and could give me a heads up that'd be great.

ezcamper · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject:

Looks like an E-Z Camper to me. The z bed parts should say E-Z Camper on there with the patent #.
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Culito · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject:

Looks like a fun project.
I'd get inside and start pounding those roof dents out just for fun. Since the roof looks solid enough, I bet you could get it pretty straight without damaging anything.
I'd avoid parting it out...and have fun with it!
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Jerry · Samba Member Joined: October 28, 2007 Posts: 1060

I'd part it out, trying to get that thing straight would become disheartening.
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Campy · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject:

If you don't want it, sell it to someone who will get it going. If the frame rails are not rusted out, that bus should be saved; there are only so many VW buses left, and there will be fewer of them in this country every year. Get it to my house and I will help you repair the roof.
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big bus mike · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:14 pm Post subject:

You're kidding yourself if you think you're going to put it together and daily drive it for a couple grand. It could technically be done, but you'd have to get killer deals on EVERYTHING. You'd be better of buying a beater daily / throw-away car and putting this bus together as time and funds allow.

Not trying to crush your dreams, just being realistic. These things nickel and dime you to death if you let them. Of course your priorities may differ than mine. Window seals, functional lighting, dependable brakes, and doors that close and stay closed are important to me. Also a decent drivers seat goes a long way toward not hating life if it's a daily.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.
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64 sundial. What do you think?
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