TheSamba.com :: View topic - Can we make a complete bus out of Gersons~KlassicFab panels?

Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:59 pm

tstracy39 wrote: krusher wrote: tstracy39 wrote: I for one would rather have a bus that was made mostly from new panels, provided it was assembled using the proper jigs and tooling, then one that was built from mostly original metal. I haven't restored a bus before but having restored two Ghias I know that VWs with all welded sheet metal tend to get surprisingly messed up and rusty. From a longevity standpoint a bus with all new metal below the windows (steering and rear suspension notwithstanding) is a much better deal. If VW had thoroughly rusproofed their buses and bus owners tended to do proper bodywork it'd be a different story. The only thing that's kept me from buying an early bus is the myriad of rust collecting sheet metal down from the beltline. If it was easier and cheaper to swap out the whole bottom half of the bus I can see myself buying one and a lot more buses being rebuilt. As for a bus built with 100% new sheetmetal... I'm not sure how I'd feel about that.

You would rather have "A bus that was made mostly from new panels, then one that was built from mostly original metal."

:?
one that's 51% new metal and 49% old bus metal. The single cab on the first page can be described as having been "built"; kind of.

I understood what you meant, was just supprised at the choice. How can you prefer that over 100% Og german metal though? :shock:

Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:22 am

Bubba` any news on the bus arrival?

Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:36 pm

crusty67t2 wrote: Bubba` any news on the bus arrival?
At the port on Wednesday, getting it thru the port, customs ~two years!! :? Maybe three!

Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:58 pm

bubba wrote: crusty67t2 wrote: Bubba` any news on the bus arrival?
At the port on Wednesday, getting it thru the port, customs ~two years!! :? Maybe three!

so after sitting at the port in the sun and salt air for that long I have a new question..... is faded funky green with metal showing through concidered "patina" on a new bus?

Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:20 pm

rumor has it it(the single cab) made it here?????

Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:18 pm

It is here. It turned out better than i could ever imagine. It does need to be shot with two or three coats of slick sand and blocked out. It is a raw car, no filler. You can see everything, grid marks and spot welds. The door gaps are near perfect, and the doors close with only one finger. The quality that was put into this bus is second to none. :D Gerson, great job!

Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:21 pm

should have stopped by and picked up the narrowed beam and press bumper while you were up here!

Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:22 pm

bubba wrote: It is here. It turned out better than i could ever imagine. It does need to be shot with two or three coats of slick sand and blocked out. It is a raw car, no filler. You can see everything, grid marks and spot welds. The door gaps are near perfect, and the doors close with only one finger. The quality that was put into this bus is second to none. :D Gerson, great job!

Good for you Bubba :D

Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:24 pm

my65vert wrote: should have stopped by and picked up the narrowed beam and press bumper while you were up here!

You could have met up with him at the daytona beach show.

Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:34 pm

didnt think they were going.

Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:38 pm

bubba wrote: It is here. It turned out better than i could ever imagine. It does need to be shot with two or three coats of slick sand and blocked out. It is a raw car, no filler. You can see everything, grid marks and spot welds. The door gaps are near perfect, and the doors close with only one finger. The quality that was put into this bus is second to none. :D Gerson, great job! Top job! I've seen the bus in person. Fake bus my ass! It's bad ass and I'd roll it any day and all day! Nice work Gerson!!

Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:57 pm

How much of it is real German metal and how much is restamped? Obviously it all got a coat of green. 8)

Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:27 am

Ian wrote: How much of it is real German metal and how much is restamped? Obviously it all got a coat of green. 8)

bubba wrote:
The truck is NOT 100% new. It started it's life as what it is a 54 barndoor singlecab. There are 10 pcs. that are off the original truck. Brian, The frames in the corner have gone throught hell and back. The only thing that they are good for or the rear tortion houses and vin numbers. Beleave me. Original is always the best. That is true with any VW part. German is always the best. :D Sometimes you haven't got a choose!

is that not the answer to the question you ask?

Looks like great work to me from the pics...

obviously a subject which not everyone will ever agree on though

Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:47 am

Monkeyspinner wrote: Ian wrote: How much of it is real German metal and how much is restamped? Obviously it all got a coat of green. 8)

bubba wrote:
The truck is NOT 100% new. It started it's life as what it is a 54 barndoor singlecab. There are 10 pcs. that are off the original truck. Brian, The frames in the corner have gone throught hell and back. The only thing that they are good for or the rear tortion houses and vin numbers. Beleave me. Original is always the best. That is true with any VW part. German is always the best. :D Sometimes you haven't got a choose!

is that not the answer to the question you ask?

Looks like great work to me from the pics...

obviously a subject which not everyone will ever agree on though
My bus is @65% new and 35% original (reworked) Almost the whole cab, doors, nose, seat bottom and rear of the cab are all OG. The frame, bed, gates, lids or built. Like i said, This is a real barndoor singlecab. It started out and finish the same bus.

Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:42 pm

bubba wrote: Monkeyspinner wrote: Ian wrote: How much of it is real German metal and how much is restamped? Obviously it all got a coat of green. 8)

bubba wrote:
The truck is NOT 100% new. It started it's life as what it is a 54 barndoor singlecab. There are 10 pcs. that are off the original truck. Brian, The frames in the corner have gone throught hell and back. The only thing that they are good for or the rear tortion houses and vin numbers. Beleave me. Original is always the best. That is true with any VW part. German is always the best. :D Sometimes you haven't got a choose!

is that not the answer to the question you ask?

Looks like great work to me from the pics...

obviously a subject which not everyone will ever agree on though
My bus is @65% new and 35% original (reworked) Almost the whole cab, doors, nose, seat bottom and rear of the cab are all OG. The frame, bed, gates, lids or built. Like i said, This is a real barndoor singlecab. It started out and finish the same bus. Bubba, That bus is trashed! Look, I'll pick it up this weekend, free of charge and dispose of it properly! I'll even show you the proof at Bulli Brigade! :wink:

Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:26 pm

bubba wrote: It is here. It turned out better than i could ever imagine. It does need to be shot with two or three coats of slick sand and blocked out. It is a raw car, no filler. You can see everything, grid marks and spot welds. The door gaps are near perfect, and the doors close with only one finger. The quality that was put into this bus is second to none. :D Gerson, great job!

Do I dare ask for you to post a picture?

Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:34 pm

vwagman wrote: bubba wrote: It is here. It turned out better than i could ever imagine. It does need to be shot with two or three coats of slick sand and blocked out. It is a raw car, no filler. You can see everything, grid marks and spot welds. The door gaps are near perfect, and the doors close with only one finger. The quality that was put into this bus is second to none. :D Gerson, great job!

Do I dare ask for you to post a picture?

Look in his gallery

Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:44 pm

Ok thanks,

Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:13 am

neat car you have bubba!

I thought the frontpanel wasn't reproduced yet but I'm wrong about that or is it one of 10 og parts? As I need a complete driverscabin for my 52 it would be great news.

Michel

Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:24 am

58deluxerag wrote: krusher wrote: I think the repros will be a great base for the custom projects

I agree if you have the loot to buy a repop and then hack it up, but since originals can still be found for a song, a dance & $600, I'll just customize my original.

Bubba- That single getting the slammed/big motor treatment? or stockie?

Still, you're not destroying history when customizing a completely new car...

But how would you go about registering it?