TheSamba.com :: View topic - 68' Westy "field find" in San Luis Obispo

Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:56 pm

Hello all

I recently inherited a 68 Westy from a friend. It has been non-op sitting in a field in Paso Robles, CA for about 10 years. I am highly motivated to attempt a "daily driver" restoration and I am wondering what it might take to get there given that I am a novice however, detail oriented and a quick-learner. Haven done basic tasks like changed oil filters, headlights, antenna masts. I have plenty of time though budget is limited. I am willing to put in the time to learn to tools necessary <have access to a good welder etc>. I live here on the Central Coast of California where these buses are pretty popular.

Based on the following, would you pass or give it a go? Any thoughts from guys with experience greatly appreciated.

The good:

camper top in relatively good shape

body straight overall with some bumps and bruises, all doors close except rear hatch

The bad:

engine does not run and seems to be missing some parts

surface rust on rocker panels

hard rust bubbles between sliding door and rear wheel well

missing windshield

The ugly:

rust holes through -->

passenger side window sill, inner&outer lower valance

battery tray area

drivers side and passenger side front floor boards

Interior is rough <front seats are thrashed, rear bench is good shape>

I attached a pic below and could take more if needed

Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:17 pm

Good start, I'm parting a rust free 69 Westy if you need steel, pm for details

Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:12 pm

I would pass because you don't know anything about it. Nothing. Motivation and time only go so far. Especially when frustration and more $ than anticipated sets in.

Pessimist? Yep at least today based on your question, find and limited, very limited knowledge of any ACVW product.

Sorry bud. Go find a nice Cabrio and enjoy the beach. :wink:

Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:38 pm

I'm in agreement with Notchboy, nreynolds.

I bought a '76 last Sept off eBay, and had limited experience having not owned an ACVW in 25 years. It took me hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to get mine up and running as a daily driver. And it still needs thousands more for the little bit of rust it has. And comparing the looks of yours, mine was fairly pristine.

My suggestion: Post it for sale on The Samba, and let someone with more experience and money get it back into running condition. It will save you lots of time, money and heartache.

Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:55 pm

a free bus is the most expensive bus you'll own.

honestly, you'll need a 10K budget to make it go down the road.

pretty cool it has the proper 68 only pop top still on it.

it doesn't look too bad...post photos of the rust

Mon Jun 26, 2017 4:36 pm

I paid $200 for my bus with a seized engine. A year and Around $4k later it was on the road. I bought a used turn key 1600cc DP and a used transaxle from a member on this site and bought the rest of the stuff I needed from BD. I did all the work myself. I didn do any body work besides a sweet rattle can paint job.

Mon Jun 26, 2017 5:10 pm

If it was just mechanical issues to sort... I'd say go for it. But the rust issues require someone with decent experience and really change the equation. If you have never welded... you're in for a lot of learning on this. Cheaper by far to buy a non rusty body. IF you have zero money... you can probably learn on this one... but it's not gonna be pretty at all... and you don't know the engine issues or the trans etc. so its a bit of a gamble. Good luck... I'm in SLO too btw... so if you decide to scrap it or part it out... I'm interested in the camper bed and rear closets! :D

Mon Jun 26, 2017 6:43 pm

It depends on how bad you want it. If it were me and I couldn't afford a bus in good condition, I would get that one sorted one area at a time unless the rust is just horrendous. But that's me, how bad do you want a bus? Enough to make it a part time job for a while?

Do you enjoy working on things?

Can you post pics of rust problem areas? Any serious rust on the frame?

Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:14 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote:
honestly, you'll need a 10K budget to make it go down the road.
That's the same number that came into my head: $10,000

There was a rule of thumb around here a few years back, that it took about $8k to get a driveable bus, whether you started at $8k with a running bus or started with a free bus and put $8k into it. And, of course, that does not value your time investment, which will be considerable.

I think by now that rule of thumb is more like $10k.

Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:54 pm

thanks to all who have replied thus far, both the pessimists and the optimists! What a great community.

I acknowledge that my skills are lacking but do see this as a long term learning project to tinker with over time. The joy for me in a project like this is the journey for sure and learning along the way. Ideally, I would like to find a mentor somewhere in my area to work on buses together on weekends. Any takers?? ;) I've reached out to the local classic VW community here in SLO. We shall see!

Assuming I decide to go forward, should my focus be mainly on mechanical?

Some of you asked for pictures of the rust, see below:

Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:05 pm

well, on the plus side, you have virgin rust...so do GOOD repairs and you'll be fine.

overall she's a bit rough.....but 100% worth it. here in New England we fix shit you guys throw away.

Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:16 pm

Considering your post and from what I can tell from those pics I say go for it. You can get it running and then fix the rust over time if necessary. Not all that rust has to be repaired immediately to drive it safely.

Keep us updated!

Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:59 pm

Look up a product called Ospho... use it correctly on the lesser rust. The nasty areas will need new metal welded though.

Tue Jun 27, 2017 1:14 am

I started a project on the side. 3k paint and body, 1k chromed parts, 2k tire and wheel package, 1.6k Bus Depot door & window rubber seals kits and other parts. All new breaks, front end, slider windows, and drive train work. Way over 10k. But this is a over the top build. Then how much is your time and hard work worth? Still got to do the inside.That will be another $$$$
The thrill is gone :!:

Tue Jun 27, 2017 5:54 am

Wow! Where are you guys coming up with such numbers as 10k just to get that thing on the road? He did say daily driver condition. Only fix the rust that absolutely needs to be fixed, get that engine running or find another running engine, new tires and brakes and go over wiring to make sure all your lights work as they should. You can have that bus back on the road for 3k max. You west coast people have it too good

Tue Jun 27, 2017 6:15 am

^ I believe they are including (DIY or inexpensive shop) body and paint in that price. But you could spend that doing mechanical work alone of course depending on what you want.

To get it safely on the road with a basic engine rebuild, brakes, steering/suspension components, windshield, tires, whatever weather seals have to be replaced, front seats redone, unforseen expenses, etc., I think it could be put on the road for around $4k or so if the trans doesn't need to be rebuilt. That's if you do the work (other than engine rebuild) yourself.

Unless there is more structural rust than shown, that would be considered a good bus to start with in my area.

Tue Jun 27, 2017 6:42 am

For daily driver 4K is possible it could be -twice that. If it's your first ACVW ypu won't have the skills to assess the budget so you need to plan for the 6-8k contingency

Suspension
Brakes
Engine
Clutch/transmission
Wheels shafts bearing

Each of these can eat up 500-1000 quickly

Tue Jun 27, 2017 6:55 am

Pinetops wrote: Considering your post and from what I can tell from those pics I say go for it. You can get it running and then fix the rust over time if necessary. Not all that rust has to be repaired immediately to drive it safely.

Keep us updated!

x2

You got a bus from a dry area, so the rust is pretty minimal. :D I don't see *any* rust you need to worry about to make it a driver. Yay! Put a piece of ply wood under the battery as a temporary fix. :)

On the other hand, it will be time and money to get it going. Even mechanical stuff costs money
engine - fix or replace? why is the generator gone?
battery
brakes
tires (I'd wait till it actually drives to buy new)
steering - how sloppy is it?
etc
you don't *need* window seals cause it doesn't rain where you live.
The transmission might be good. might not.

Have fun!

Tue Jun 27, 2017 6:58 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote:

pretty cool it has the proper 68 only pop top still on it.

Does it have a smoot top?

Tue Jun 27, 2017 7:14 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: well, on the plus side, you have virgin rust...so do GOOD repairs and you'll be fine.

overall she's a bit rough.....but 100% worth it. here in New England we fix shit you guys throw away.

Yes! Fix all the buses! :D