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Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:36 pm

I've been following this thread for a while. Awesome work! What percentage of the original bus would you say you are re-using?

Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:32 am

RPGreg2600 wrote: I've been following this thread for a while. Awesome work! What percentage of the original bus would you say you are re-using?

I was wondering this myself. I'm guessing 30-35%. The roof, dash, rear firewall, transmission hump panel (with the VIN), rear window panel,seat stand center, rear frame and torsion housing would be majority of that. The rest was just too screwed

It all comes down to the rarity of the base vehicle. I just wouldn't be doing this much work or metal replacement on a '66 panel. Truthfully, I'm not even sure I would do it for a '55 panel. :lol:

I realize it will never be an original bus, but it is what it is. It's not going to be worth the kind of money that an original bus will be, but I'm not building it with any intention of selling. I'm just going to drive the crap out of it.

Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:56 pm

Quote: . I'm just going to drive the crap out of it.

Spoken like a true enthusiast! Vehicles were made to be driven. Great thread Ken :!:

Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:20 pm

Concept1 wrote: . I just wouldn't be doing this much work or metal replacement on a '66 panel.

Hey now!
Don't be hating on '66 panels! :lol:

Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:49 am

volksfahrer.nl wrote: Concept1 wrote: . I just wouldn't be doing this much work or metal replacement on a '66 panel.

Hey now!
Don't be hating on '66 panels! :lol:

You know what I mean, Erwin. :lol:

Really haven't got much done recently, but I'm planning on going full tilt the next few weeks and hopefully finishing it off this month....

Cab separation panel

Upper windshield frame

Building the upper drip rail

And yet another nightmare panel... I've got to get this all stripped of the upper rail, inner supports etc.

Once the left window panel is in place I can finish the drip rail, straighten out the bus (it's still a bit flexible) weld the roof on , and lastly the cargo floors. I realized that if I weld the cargo floor in now, it will strengthen the bus and possibly cause the roof to sit strange.

Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:48 pm

What are the bunny rabbit ears for? (dome light wire?)

Concept1 wrote:

Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:01 pm

KombiMonster wrote: What are the bunny rabbit ears for? (dome light wire?)

Concept1 wrote:

That, and the semaphore harness.

Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:39 pm

Concept1 wrote: KombiMonster wrote: What are the bunny rabbit ears for? (dome light wire?)
Concept1 wrote:

That, and the semaphore harness.

that explains the one on the passenger side! Thanks!

Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:16 am

Coming along nicely there ken , be there in no time , looks smashing,great work .

Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:05 am

limeybish wrote: Coming along nicely there ken , be there in no time , looks smashing,great work .

Thanks Simon.

Thanks to Mitsuhiro for one of the pieces I need the most, the left door top, all the way from Japan!!!

Cargo floors are in.

And the roof is on!!! although it's not welded yet, it's fitting pretty decently, all things considered.

Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:15 am

Awesome work Ken! It's looking great!

- DP

Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:22 pm

Outstanding craftsmanship,(and determination) it must feel like a huge accomplishment to get the roof back on.

Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:43 pm

damm thats sweet
8)

Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:46 pm

:D That looks unreal ken ,all finished up for xmas? I bet you can't wait to get it all painted up ,still the same colour scheme? your in front of me ,mine's on the back boiler at the mo ,picked up a ute and been playing with that for the last couple of months ,this thing beco :D me more than i thought .just a ratty 61.but i have always wanted one ,anyway have a great holiday and new year ,and see you in 2012 ,cali?

Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:30 pm

veedub wrote: Outstanding craftsmanship,(and determination) it must feel like a huge accomplishment to get the roof back on.

Thanks man. Even though it is just resting there, it really does look a 1000 times better. There were a few days when I walked back there and thought to myself... "What the hell am I doing?"

Like this day for example....

Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:00 pm

Ken keep at it and I'll do the same and just maybe well have two 52 sunroof standards debuting this summer

Troy

Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:24 am

Concept1 wrote: limeybish wrote: Coming along nicely there ken , be there in no time , looks smashing,great work .

Thanks Simon.

Thanks to Mitsuhiro for one of the pieces I need the most, the left door top, all the way from Japan!!!

Cargo floors are in.

And the roof is on!!! although it's not welded yet, it's fitting pretty decently, all things considered.

WOW when it's written how much new metals needed you kind of wonder if its worth it - but when you see these pics you dont care one bit! Especially when is done as well as this is. - Thats going to be one very cool ride.

Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:05 am

Amazine work, top to bottom 8)

Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:32 am

Wow! That has got to be a rewarding feeling, getting all of that done. Well Done! You are deffinetly in it to win it. Thanks for sharing. :D

Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:43 am

Damn Ken! Kudos Big Time! Haven't been in here in a while but what a surprise! You are a Maestro.