TheSamba.com :: View topic - Barn find project 1968 one owner RHD camper 23-8143788

Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:32 am

Hi all,

So this is it for me, the barn find I've been waiting for!

It started 20 years ago with this particular camper, a right hand drive Devon Torvette conversion camper and yesterday I took ownership - wow.

Join me in the tale of 20 years and now recommissioning this great bus.

The facts:

One owner from new and I bought from the owner yesterday!
51K miles
Chassis # 23-8143788 (December - July '68 )
Amazing time warp interior and camping furniture.
Amazing original condition throughout.

More to follow as the project develops :)

Here for starters the video of it leaving the original owner's house on a grey (but exciting) November day :)

Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:39 am

Congrats, Pictures would be cool.
How to post photos/How to post a photo in the Forums

Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:53 am

Here they come :)

I'm taking this photo of the bus, original owner (on the left) and my assistant :)

Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:12 pm

Thank yOu. That thing is clean. Did you mean Barn Find in your post title?
Have a great day.
Tcash

Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:19 pm

Tcash wrote: Thank yOu. That thing is clean. Did you mean Barn Find in your post title?
Have a great day.
Tcash

He must mean Bard... probably sung the Original owner a pretty tune! Looking forward to seeing more of this one

Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:56 pm

So as I do with projects like this I've started a spreadsheet and kanban to get the bus roadworthy and ready for inspection :)

Current blocker is the fuel tank which needs chemical cleaning. It's got no rust, but the remaining fuel has solidified. Of course that means engine out, but I like to pull the motor anyway to give it a good looking over, loosen and replace old tinware and ancillary bolts with new greased ones etc. and clean up the tinware.

Then I'll need (want to) replace all the braking system. New cylinders and hoses all round which these days are pretty cheap anyway.

Lee

Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:23 pm

Wow, she's a beauty! So clean and original. How about more pictures of the inside, dash, headliner, engine, under it? Yea, I'm greedy! :)

I'm hoping you keep updating this thread as you progress to getting her back on the road.

Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:50 pm

eh that looks like nothing special at all.

I'll trade you my SC, bug and soul for it. Nothing big.

Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:17 pm

NICE find! Amazingly great shape.

Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:38 pm

Sweet find! Congrats!

Fri Nov 28, 2014 4:16 am

Not really a project, just get it MOT'd and drive it.

Fri Nov 28, 2014 4:32 am

I hate it but I will have mercy on your folly and trade you my 3 VW's for it plus I will pay to have it shipped from England . LOL

Sat Nov 29, 2014 4:35 am

The original owner now 82 was just 36 when he bought this new from a VW dealer in Manchester, England.

He is an engineer and so kept the van in pristine condition although it has been repainted.

The interior is like new, but that van has not moved for over 10 years I think. I have the engine running now and it is sweet, but the fuel tank needs to come out to be cleaned.

Enjoy the photos! I'm certainly enjoying the bus :)

Sat Nov 29, 2014 4:39 am

Drivers door wasn't unlocking from the key so I had to investigate.

Nice, inner weather cover

With lock mechanism removed I found a little spring had broken that returns the lock release lever. Pulled one from my selection of springs pack (Aldi sells these!)

Bent this tab back to get access to get the spring on

and boom

Cleaned up the door card whilst it was off :)

Sat Nov 29, 2014 4:46 am

and here's the motor running for now

Sat Nov 29, 2014 10:27 am

What an awesome bus!! Congrats on getting it.

What is the black thing next to the passenger seat?

Sat Nov 29, 2014 10:40 am

justcruzin wrote: What an awesome bus!! Congrats on getting it.

What is the black thing next to the passenger seat?

Looks like a slip on head rest but I could be wrong.

Sat Nov 29, 2014 11:59 am

What is the black thing next to the seat.

You could try to go back to OG Paint.
Removing aftermarket paint to get OG paint

Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:01 am

Very nice, congrats!

Sat Dec 06, 2014 5:49 am

Latest work on the bus :)

Nice and clean OG engine bay, just gonna degrease it

Tank is off to the resto shop to be cut open, blasted and resin sealed.

a bit frosty here are the moment which is delaying things...

wish your rockers looked like this ? ;)

With the engine out I thought I might as well do the RMS. Made an insert tool from an old alternator end plate machined down a little :) Tin ware is stripped off and sent to be blasted and painted by a friend.

Lots of parts ordered. New CV boots (might as well do them with easy access), new rear brake flex hoses - same reason.