READ ME (1973 Riviera Resto Project)

[Studt's 73]

This is our thread about our restoration project (Fairsbanks) on a 1973 VW Bus Riviera. A little about this bus, it was purchased in Juneau Alaska in 1973, then moved the northern Mishigan in 1979, and now to Pacific Missouri in 2010. Our plan is to restore this bus back to a semi-rust-free van, we know you can't get then all, but we can get most. I know people say this bus will take way to much time, just find another one. Just keep in mind that time is not money for me. This time is something that I can learn from, and have fun doing no matter how difficult it might be.

So, this bus has already had one big project done, he is the thread; http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423099&highlight=. This is our thread about the camper top restore, here a couple pictures of the finished product.

Now we are onto the project at hand, fixing the rust problems on the passenger rear of the bus. Here are some before pictures;
Need to cut below the blue tape

As you can see, there is a lot of rust on this bus, most likely the rustiest bus you will ever see.

Here are some pictures of the removing of the rear wheel arch section.
Some cutting

Small section removed

Another view

The rear section, going to need a battery tray and maybe a new corner

Now the fully removed skin

The donor wheel arch from the juck bus we got

We are also going to be replacing the c-pillar on the passenger side, which we also got from the donor bus (will post a picture soon). Long story longer, we're going to be placing a big section of the rear wheel arch, then replacing the b-pillar, next onto the door track assembly, to the c-pillar, onto the rear wheel skin, and then the finishing touches. More pictures to come.

By the way, this is "Project Fairbanks."

[Chazbot]

Have a great time working on that project and keep the pictures coming. We love it.

[Studt's 73]

Thanks Chazbot, we'll be sure to have fun taking on this project. I almost forgot, on the picture titles another view you can see the donor c-pilar that is going to be used (has some orange on it).

[brotha bran]

Nice! A hands free cutoff tool! Where does one acquire something like this?


Kidding of course...nice start so far! Keep it coming.
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1976 Transporter "Betsy" [Reef Blue, Rebuilt 2L w/ Raby CS heads, 010 Auto. ]
1968 Single Cab "Neptune" [Neptune Blue, stock, stock, stock]

[Studt's 73]

[fogoo]

Nice work so far... I've been pondering picking up a 70 Sportsmobile I found that needs the same sort of bodywork - not quite as much rust though! Would be great to see your progress....
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64 Single Cab
71 Bug.....sold
73 Bus......sold
75 Panel Bus - converting to Subi power http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=651073&highlight=
78 Kombi Camper

[chazz79]

Are you re-inforcing the top? I have a riviera top on my bus and It's got a bit of sway in the middle If you're going through the repaint process please detail that for me. I still have to remove my top for some repairs. I'm thinking of lining it with some oak strips with stainless ribs (like an old truck bed) and building an overhead console to make my Dvd screen look a bit more finished out.
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One day as a lion, or a lifetime as lamb

The green monster in bits and peices: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=332556&highlight=green+monster

[guanella74]

Much respect for takign on this bus - loving the photos - keep em coming!
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- Travis

1974 Westy CampMobile - the OG!
1979 Transporter
1979 Transporter
1977 Transporter
1974 Transporter
1973 Transporter
1971 Westy

[Studt's 73]

[Studt's 73]

Chaz79, almost forgot, after screwing the new arches in place. I used two, not one, but two tubes of Liquid-Nails Construction Adhesieve to make sure that the arches were glued in place. We have moved the newly paint top a couple, including standing it upright on the side, and the top had no play in it.

I didn't get much done today, the wife was doing laundry so I couldn't get any welding done. But on a brighter note, I was able to make two custom cedar handles, once again from some left-over wood from a previous project.

[chazz79]

You can see where mine has a sway in the backbone like a worn out trail nag.

It also has a 1.5 inch hole init where a tree limb was sticking out so I assume a tree has fallen on it once upon a time. If you check out my thread most of my labor mirrors what you're doing. I lucked out in getting a 73. Now that I've studied all the other variations of bus, there's no other year I'd rather have.
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One day as a lion, or a lifetime as lamb

The green monster in bits and peices: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=332556&highlight=green+monster

[rumplestilskin]

if u are going to be pulling and pushing on the handles u will want to use screws ceder in not the strongest wood. so be sure to pre drill
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currently 71 super auto-stick, 73 ghia, 71 yellow ghia , a 68 square w71 fi, a 77 bus station wagon deluxe. and finaly finaly a 74 riveria with volvo pawer .ITS AN ADDICTION!!!

[Studt's 73]

[jl74supercab]

That top looks great. Did the wood planks add any extra weight? I would be concerned about the springs being able to hold it up.
I just finished my 73 Riviera restore.

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73 Riviera Camper - "Julius"
74 Super Convertible - "Someday"

[Studt's 73]

[jl74supercab]

5 lbs should be no problem at all.
I used that seal from bus depot. No issues with fit.
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73 Riviera Camper - "Julius"
74 Super Convertible - "Someday"

[Studt's 73]

[Studt's 73]

Si I had about an hour to work on Fairbanks tonight, not a ton done, but a c-pillar removed. This is going to be the removing and soon install of the slightly used c-pillar from a 34 year old donor.
Before cutting out the rusted c-pillar, I have to remove the spot-welds from the cargo area of the bus. I use a cheapo Harbor Frieght spot-welder cutter bit. I start by either using a punch and a small drill bit the center a hole on the spot-weld. Here's a picture of both.

Before the cut, will be cutting below the tape again.

After the cut

My next task will be removing all the old metal from the donor c-pillar, pictures to come soon.[/img]

[Studt's 73]

Ok, so I'm going to need some help with this camper top of mine. After having a nice long weekend in Colorado we came home to an f-ed up camper top. While we were gone I guess there was a storm that brought some rain. We have our newly restored camper top sitting on a couple of sawhorses. There was about three inches of standing water on the top when we got home (and it was covered by a tarp that kept the water off of the top, but not the wieght of the water) and the fiberglass top is now molded to the shape of the sawhorse. In other words the top has a big f-ing dent in it where the sawhorse was. The new wood on the inside needs to be completely done again and the "dented" finberglass needs to be un-dented. Does anyone know a way that you can pull dents from the fiberglass. I was thinking about putting some wieght on the top and heating it with a heatgun, would this work. Any input would be great.

[jl74supercab]

Ouch!. I don't have any advice, but I do have lots of sympathy. Someone will chime in with advice.
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73 Riviera Camper - "Julius"
74 Super Convertible - "Someday"