My '73 Westfalia Restoration

[barefootwestie]

Well, after being a member for 3 or 4 years and having my bus for about the same, I figure it's about time that I start a restoration thread. Find below some pics of when I brought home and then I'll try and get up to speed as to what I've done, and where I'm headed.

_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[Pinetops]

Nice bus. It looks pretty clean overall. What are your plans for it?

[barefootwestie]

As of now, most of it will be kept as stock as possible with a few exceptions. But nothing outrageous or extreme as I would like it to appear stock to the average eye.

Present plans are to work on the body and replacing rubbers first, then move into the interior. I've been purchasing a few little items such as handles and knobs and things just to replace as I go along. Also, will be replacing interior panels with birch clear coated panels and match the seats and door panels with a lighter color.

May possibly redo the cabinets to match the lighter colored panels.

Mechanically, already overhauled the brakes, fuel lines, vapor lines and tuneup with new cap, wires, etc. The engine was rebuilt by previous owner after experiencing the infamous bus fire.

To give a little history, I have owned a few different VW's including a '72 Westie from my college days. Loved it but had to part with it due to finances. Well, I got the itch and started looking for a replacement and located my present one on Samba.

The great thing about this one is that it is an early '73, and is an EXACT replica of my '72, with the exception of the parking lights location. The interior is the golden mustard leatherette material left over from the '72's.

I still have all of the original paperwork for EVERY penny spent on her by the PO, including license plate bolts from the local auto parts store. Still have the window sticker, and the paperwork where the owner dickered with the dealer.

The only rust is in the step areas, just a little in the windshield area, the battery box, and a little around the rear behind the bumper.

Well, back to the lucky part, I found it on Samba, spoke to the owner, and she stated that it was not running, but she thought it was an electrical problem. I drove to check it out, and everything looked OK, as much as possible with just LOOKING at the engine. Came home, thought about it, paid $1300.00 and towed her home.

Here's the fun part - Changed the points, squirted some ether, charged the battery, fired her up and been driving her ever since.

Since that time, have basically been doing little things, rerouting the fuel lines, moving the fuel pump, cleaning all of the electrical connections, getting all my lights to work, took out the sink and cleaned it up and replaced sink pump - that sort of thing.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[barefootwestie]

Thought I would post a few pics of the engine compartment prior to cleaning and repainting.

_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[Pinetops]

Wow, you really got a deal on that one!

[barefootwestie]

Thanks. I like to think so as well.

Well, here are a few photos of the engine compartment as of now. Tried a little paint to see how it's going to look.

Not planning on doing the gas tank compartment until I need to take the engine out. But, I've removed the access panel to have it powder coated along with the engine tin.

Still need to sand a little around the wire holder here, before finishing up.

I just picked up a welder in the past two weeks and still need to order the battery tray replacement as well as some of the other metal to start on.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[barefootwestie]

As you can see in the pics, no original insulation found, probably due to the fire.

So, I was able to locate some original panels from another '73. Removed them as best as I could, and brought them home and retraced on 1/8" mdf, cut out, and drilled all the holes with a drill press and 3/4" forstner bit. Sprayed both sides with black to help with sealing the wood. Also, was able to obtain the original insulation in really, really good shape, so not sure if I will reuse or try something new, but at least I can use the old as a template.

You can't really tell from the pics how bad the old really looks in comparison to the new, but in person it's like night and day.

The Old

and, the New.

Really proud how they turned out. Took my time, and thought it would take forever to drill all the holes, but I actually had both pieces complete in about 2 hours.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[BellePlaine]

Really cool project. Seems like you still have a lot of good energy for your bus even after having it for a few years.
_________________
'75 Riviera

Whether you are a novice or know your way around an ACVW, a day with Amskeptic is money well spent. My mechanical ability/knowledge/bus is always better after Colin visits.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/memberlist.php

[barefootwestie]

I feel like I've really just gotten started. Just in the past two years I've moved to a different home and have been able to put it in the garage and start building up my tools, and getting everything prepared to start the metal replacement.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[jmstu76]

[barefootwestie]

Haven't attached it yet. Still working on cleaning up the engine compartment and painting. I won't put them in until after I've finished all the welding for the battery tray and painted the compartment. But you are correct. I have seen a few posts that some folks were able to get a similar large headed rivet from NAPA. I'll post here whatever I do find to use.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[dreadnotmusic]

Nice thread! I'll be following it closely since I have the same year Westy.
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66 Riviera

[barefootwestie]

Gosh. Has it been that long since I did anything to my bus. Well, I've taken a little break from the bus to try and start organizing and optimizing my garage space before I start the heavy work on the bus. Just finished my new work bench. The one I had previously was a nice heavy metal, with drawer, but wasn't the best to fit the area I had to work with. It wouldn't fit close to the wall so I was losing about 6 inches.

My new bench is 7' long, and 24" deep. Ran new electrical circuit with 2 gang on above the the bench and then another 2 gang underneath along with my TV Cable hookup. The pencil marks on the wall is my next step. 18" deep wall cabinets to hold cased tools, etc. Freezer full of popsicles and ice cream is conveniently located at the end of the bench.

_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[barefootwestie]

Finally got around to deciphering my m-code with a little help from alltheprettybuses.com.

32 009 983
507 519
992651 D04 P32 102 227
37 1 7488 UN 2319 41

Decode Results:
Production Date: September 4, 1972
Exported To: USA, New York
Designation: VW Campmobile
Engine KW (BHP): 50 (6; 49 (66)
Transmission Type: manual
Engine: *
Transmission Code: -
Extras Code: 609/517
Paint / Interior
Paint Scheme: Pastel White
Paint Codes: L90D
Paint Notes: Code only used on Westfalia campers
Interior Scheme: dark beige
Interior Material: leatherette
Interior Notes:
Options
507: Vent wings in cab doors
519: Ventilation louvres for cargo compartment
D04: ???
P32: Westfalia S0 ?? interrior (?)
102: Rear window heater
227: Detachable headrest in cab
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[barefootwestie]

Well, I've been really busy working on removing the rear panel below the engine hatch and prepping it for new metal. I received a big mailorder today with the rear corners, rear panel under the hatch, right rear of rear wheelwell arch, right Inner Wheel Tub Closing Panel. Still waiting on the battery tray and the battery tray holddown.

The rear panel, wheelwell parts look like they should fit with just a little work, but really disappointed in the rear corners. Luckily, as you can see from the photos above, I really don't need to replace the entire corners. They don;t have the lip that butts up with the seam on the side. The rear lubrication hole is nowhere even close to where it should be, and the rear to the side of the hatch extends into the hatch area by 3/4". Taillight lens area, as I have always heard is nowhere even close either. I may just try to weld in some flat metal to patch and sell the corner panels.

So I'll finish welding up some small pinholes in the bottom of the rear panel area, primer it and get it ready for some undercoating, then trim the panel a little for fit. Then start cutting the metal out around the rear access holes.

I'll post some pics soon with my progress so far.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[barefootwestie]

I've moved my restoration progress to my blog to make it a little easier to manage:

http://tangerinemoons.com/blogs/my73vwbus
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[jasonbye]

Good luck with the resto. Looking good there.
Seem like only yesterday I was doing mine.

[barefootwestie]

Updated: http://tangerinemoons.com/blogs/my73vwbus
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[barefootwestie]

Updated: http://tangerinemoons.com/blogs/my73vwbus
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[jtauxe]