TheSamba.com :: View topic - Newbie with family Bus, '77 (lots of pics)

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:44 am

Hey folks,
I've been lurking for a while on this site, trying to decide whether or not to buy my father-in-law's '77 camper. Well, when my wife and I took a look at her and started driving, it became reality. 1,500 miles later, it's in my garage.

It was purchased in 1983 with 62K miles and used for camping trips for the next few years. My wife has very fond memories of this family heirloom, which was perfectly comfortable for sleeping the family of five. It was used very infrequently up until six years ago. It was always garaged and never exposed to snow or salt. They only put 14K miles on it since they bought it.

Then it sat for about five years. When taken to the shop to figure out why it wasn't running right, it was determined to need a complete rebuild, which included restoring the gas tank, replacing pistons, fuel injectors, oil cooler, and a whole list of other stuff I can get to later.

Here are pics of her where she's been living the last 20 years:

Besides some light wear and pilling on the plaid, the interior is pretty amazing for being original:

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:46 am

Wow. Looks to be in excellent shape! How's the underside look? Any rust? If not, you really seem to have scored a beauty. How much, if you don't mind me asking?

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:51 am

Wow. Very nice! Looks like it's in great shape. Good score! Love the original carpet and interior. 8)

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:52 am

Did Sportsmo's have Westy interiors like that?

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:53 am

I had never even seen the Bus before the last trip, since it was kept in a warehouse where my father-in-law works. When he described that the top popped completely up, I figured he might have a Riviera. So, I have since learned about the Sportsmobile.

That table goes on the left side of the sink counter, and it swivels:

The swivel chair is downright bitchin':

Upstairs:

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:55 am

I would be interested in know how much you gave for it also...very nice bus. I can't wait to get mine restored to this condition. This motivates me...

Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:55 am

there's no question on wether or not to own a family hierloom in such immaculate condition.

it's an award winning bus,

and with an insider pricing, you can't loose any $$ on it..

Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:03 am

Underneath:

Engine:

Etc.

Can't wait to read those newspapers:

About the only thing that doesn't work: the aftermarket(?) stereo:

Wasn't pumped about the automatic, but the Bus found me, right?

The only sticker on it:

A small amount of surface rust was touched up around the doors, front clip, and rear. Probably bumpers, too?

Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:10 am

Im jealous. This thing needs only a few minor things to be a real show winner. I wish I was as lucky as you in finding something this nice. I really like to pop top on this one as well.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:18 am

nice looking bus. if you need any help with it or are looking for any parts send me a PM. i'm in westminster.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:21 am

Beautiful bus! A real time capsule. I think that there has been an interior swap though, as didn't Sportsmobiles come with a non-Westy interior? Or did they buy tin top Westies and add their own poptop? I'm thinking the latter.

Get a foam seal for the engine asap. Automatics are awesome; I have one and it is great. No worries there.

Don't forget to buy new fuel lines.

Nothin sweeter than some vintage camping in a remote forest somewhere! Years of great memories to be made. Good on you.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:23 am

EJ from upstairs wrote:

Missing engine to body seal. Important to replace that. Everything else is looking pretty darn nice.

Best to replace the flexible fuel lines too, since you just got it. No telling how old they are. Very important to not overlook this!

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=411813225

Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:49 am

Westfabulous wrote: Beautiful bus! A real time capsule. I think that there has been an interior swap though, as didn't Sportsmobiles come with a non-Westy interior? Or did they buy tin top Westies and add their own poptop? I'm thinking the latter.

Get a foam seal for the engine asap. Automatics are awesome; I have one and it is great. No worries there.

Don't forget to buy new fuel lines.

Nothin sweeter than some vintage camping in a remote forest somewhere! Years of great memories to be made. Good on you.

Got the engine seal installed in Missouri. I'll get to the rest of the journey a little later with more pics.

I believe the previous owner had a Westy to begin with and converted it to Sportsmobile because he wanted more room and didn't want a stove. I kind of like the simplicity of it. Anyway, the top is effortless to raise and lower, unlike my friend's Vanagon Westy.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:09 am

really sweet! :D

Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:48 am

I'm thinking it's an original Westy with a retro-fitted Sportsmobile pop top. Nice bus nonetheless!

Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:57 am

Awesome bus man!

Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:17 pm

So, the journey began in Canton, OH. My wife and I drove very nice back roads (especially 162, then 250 to 2) to Catawba Island on Lake Erie, stayed for a few days, and then I was solo going west.

After picking up five pairs of Landjager for my dad, I headed southwest for Indiana where my parents live. But first, I couldn't help but notice what has to be a very uncommon mid/late '80s Jetta TDI parked next to me. Ironically, I went through Huntington, IN where this Sportsmobile apparently originated. I would've stopped to say, maybe, but it was Sunday evening.

First gas in Tiffin, OH:

I tried to avoid interstates because I love pissing people off who get stuck behind me (just kidding). Here's Route 53 in Ohio:

I smelled some pretty strong gas fumes for an hour or two when cruising on Highway 30 into Indiana. I stopped at an Ace in Wabash and picked up their last automobile fire extinguisher. Temps broke into the 90s that day. Mysteriously, the smell went away soon after that.

Route 25 in Indiana:

At my parents':

Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:35 pm

Awesome looking bus man and a great story. There are some interesting things going on here. A real chicken or the egg deal. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Sportsmobile did install their own interior set up, mostly in transporters here in the US. The VIN # and M-code should really help you figure it out. Again, from what I've learned about my bus Sportsmobile used 2 pane jelousie(sp?) windows on the conversion too. The real interesting thing is you have the roof rack to go with the top. OOh! and the Sporty decals, I would Kill for those decals. :twisted:

Great looking bus all around. Enjoy

Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:44 pm

The next morning I headed to the tire shop where I had ordered new Hankooks. The old tires were passengers with cracked sidewalls. After that, I was on the road at 9:30 a.m.

It was hot that day (Monday before last). Really hot. Like high 90s with humidity to match. I filled up in Decatur, IL. I was happy to get out and walk around in Hannibal, Missouri, but I quickly realized that I would've rather been in the Bus with some air flow.

Here's the bridge over the Mississippi I drove over:

This is the point where I have a problem. I turn the key and there is nothing but a hum, no engine turning. The engine always turned over slowly, but I knew the battery was newer.

I decided to wait. After an hour and a half of cooling down, still nothing. I got on the phone with Denny over at Layland Motors in Canton, the man who built the motor. I asked him where the starter was so I could bang on it with a rock. He told me, I found it, tapped it lightly with said rock, and it started right up.

I decided to not take the chance of driving all the way to Denver like this. After all, what if the next time the rock trick didn't work? It would be an expensive tow and a lot of waiting for a starter, for sure. So I got on the phone with my wife and she looked up some numbers using this website. I called Glen down in Sedalia and he referred me to Tom's Imports in Columbia. I called them up and, sure enough, they had one in stock they could put in for me the next morning.

I kept it running in Paris where I filled up again, and then headed down to Columbia. Tom Jr. happened to be there wrapping things up when I arrived at 7:30. He had me fill out the work order for a new starter and then gave me a ride to a hotel a couple miles down the road. Special thanks to Glen and Tom!

A less fortunate fellow. This one's "done," according to Tom. Another rust victim.

I felt like I was in Colorado again when I saw four Vanagons in the parking lot, too.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:10 pm

I had the oil changed while they were at it. It had 10W-30 in it along with about 1,000 miles on it since the rebuild. I was going to change it and put in a heavier grade but didn't get around to it. I put in a fourth of a quart to raise it to the top level at the start of the trip, but it really didn't use any oil up to this point. Anyway, Tom Sr. put in 20W-50 and, after a little lecture, a new engine weather strip deal. I was off at noon.

Every time I looked out the passenger window, I was amazed at how well the interior matched the greenery outside.
Flooding:

I kept the Bus at 60 mph the whole time max. At one point in Kansas, I brought it up to 75 just to see if it could. The engine is very strong and easily held that speed. With the new tires, it was smooth and straight as an arrow. But I didn't want to take any chances, so back to 60 and pissing off people. At least the traffic got thinner and thinner along Highway 36, so it was easier for people to pass. If you hate I-70 (I know I do), do yourself a favor and take Highway 36. Very pretty route in comparison.

Just skirted a thunderstorm that was to the south:

Along the way, I noticed that the Bus was struggling to idle, especially when starting up and putting into gear while still hot, such as after filling up. Finally it started stalling. Whether with one or two feet, it's pretty hard to keep this thing lightly revved with one foot on the brake. So I called Eric at Uber Auto up in Longmont, who has been giving me advice about the Bus and the trip getting it back. He told me where the idle adjust is, I gave it a half turn, and all was good again. Thanks, Eric!

Decent coffee in Norton, KS:

Colorado at last!

When I got to Denver, the idle problem was happening again, so I gave the adjust screw another half turn. I'll have to learn more about getting it properly tuned for the higher altitude. The gas fumes were also pretty bad again, so I'll have to figure that out.

What a trip! I can't wait to clean up the interior a bit and get our camping gear in there.

Any advice on how to take care of this original paint?

Thanks for all the suggestions and compliments!

Cheers,

EJ