READ ME (1973 Riviera Resto Project)

Studt's 73 · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:01 am Post subject:

Does anybody know what the possiblity of having a 73 Bay with 72 parts on it? I'm currently replacing the front reinforcment and the rear cross member. I ordered both of them for a 73, they are supposed to fit a 73-79, but they don't.

The front that I got 73-79

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

The front that I need 68-72

The rear I got 73-79

The rear I need 68-72

I've checked, and double checked. All the information that I have says that my Bus is a 73, and I have original bill of sale from the dealer. Could I have an early model where some left over 68-72 parts were used?
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jjrizzuto · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 8:55 pm Post subject:

Hey man, I just wanted to see you've done one HELL of a job on that bus! Applause

I can't believe you were willing to take on a project like that, let alone rebuild the whole thing! Keep up the good work! You've got me motivated to take care of some of my rust issues! I have to tackle the motor first though. Just a few words of encouragement man keep on keeping on!
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-Josh

1979 VW Transporter 2000cc Stock FI. His name is Konig. He rolls the Tiger Style like the Wu Tang Clan.

Studt's 73 · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:50 am Post subject:

jjrizzuto · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:36 pm Post subject:

Studt's 73 · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:12 am Post subject:

[/quote]I wish you the best of luck with everything! Just remember: patience, patience, shot and a beer. Laughing

You've done incredible work so far, don't give up now![/quote]

There is no giving up on this! I really wish I would have taken more pictures of the bus before we started working on, just to give the full affect. We've cleaned up the donor cargo floors over the weekend, and replaced all but 2 one of the top-hats. I'll need to replace the front reinforcement before the last one can go on. I'm hoping to have the floor on very soon.
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Studt's 73 · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:58 am Post subject:

I've be slacking on posting the progress and on taking pictures. We have both the donor sections of cargo floor prepped and ready to go in. I'm working on replacing the last of the top-hats and jacking point. Still have to install the front reinforcement, which is finally arriving today. We're hoping to have the rocker section on the passenger side done and cargo floor in by next weekend. I'll get some pictures up on the progress as well.
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Studt's 73 · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:46 am Post subject:

We were ale to get some much needed work done, but things went very slow yesterday. I was able to replace all but the front top-hat and front reinforcement piece.

Cleaned and prepped cargo floor, hopefully the holes will lineup

Working on the top-hats

I'm not sure when the last time the sliding door was on the bus, but it's on now! Putting on the new door track and hanging the door took us about 5 hours. I had no idea that it would take so long, but she's on and closes!
New track installed

The door actually closes, but the latches and eveything else need so major tlc.

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Studt's 73 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:34 am Post subject:

I've been gone for a bit, and bus work has been slow to say the least. I just had no motivation to get anything done it it last year, but I'm starting to get that motivation again. We currently have all the exterior panels welded in and are working on finishing up one section. From there I'll be working on the front lower dog legs, steps, and front floor. Everything is prepped and ready for the cargo floor to be installed as well. The plan is getting this thing painted this summer so we can start on the interior. I'll try to get some pictures posted up soon as well.
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averr789 · Samba Member Joined: September 19, 2006 Posts: 133

Hey man I totally forgot about this thread. You have made some awesome progress on that beast. Ours was nearly as rusty and it is still far from pristine 4 years of novice restoration later haha.

We rebuilt the rocker and ran out of time to put the skin on!

I will look out for updates.

Studt's 73 · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 11:06 am Post subject:

I just spent about an hour going to this entire thread. Seeing where this rust bus started, to the point I'm at today really makes wonder why my progress has been so slow for the past 8+ months! It's sad that we keep saying we're going to work on the bus this weekend, and then we don't. We're so close to getting the exterior done, and the inside wont be much work. When I started this project, I had people telling to walk away from it, it's not even worth my time, and that it's beyond gone. I guess you can say that I've been trying to bring this beast back from the grave, and she is well on her way. When I cut the first panel off, I had NO experience at all with body work, let alone VW's. The amount of time, energy, and blood I put into our bus will be worth it by the end of the summer when she is painted. My project just goes to show that anybody with a lot of patients, and beer can do this. I thank everyone from Samba for the encouragement, and help through this project. Now lets get the mother f'er done and on the road. I still wont be working on it this week, out of town for Cinco de Mayo.
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Manfreds78bay · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 12:32 pm Post subject:

Pinetops · Samba Member Joined: March 24, 2007 Posts: 2987

You've done so much now there is no turning back! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress and I know you will finish!

Studt's 73 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:20 am Post subject:

[/quote]I've gone through this before. I've thrown myself at it and then get tired of working on it..then go back to in in a couple of months. The more you do it the better you get at not burning out by doing more planning and less screwing up.[/quote]

I'm actually amazed at this. At some point in time, on most things I do, I screw up. It usually happens when I'm measuring something, and then end up cutting it an inch short. With this project I can say thay I have been error free, so far at least. I know this bus will get done, and pretty soon I hope. I'm hoping for about a months worth of work on the exterior and the front floor pan. The cargo area is pretty close to being finished as it is. I've got a to repalce the last 12 inches of the frame rail in the rear, since it is rotted pretty bad. Then I can paint, which is where all the time consuming research will come in. I'm not sure if I should spend some extra money and get some good auto paint, or just spray it with rustoleum? Oh, and then the interior of course. This was I'm looking forward to!
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Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 7:39 am Post subject:

what kind of engine have you got in the back there? that didnt look vw.... Wink

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Studt's 73 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:31 am Post subject:

Studt's 73 · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:52 pm Post subject:

So I was able to get a little done today. I got the last of the top hats on the cargo floor put in. Hopefully I'll be able to get the cargo floor in within the next week. Also scored some free stuff about a month ago from a friend that was getting rid of some old VW stuff.
Manged to get a couple shocks and gas heater

Got this bucket full of goodies, VW emblem, head light bezels, ball joints, starter, and some others

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averr789 · Samba Member Joined: September 19, 2006 Posts: 133

Cool. Props for going in to the project without any experience. I know how tiring that is! Keep up the good work!

Studt's 73 · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject:

We'll be uncovering Fairbank's this weekend to hopefully get a load of stuff done. We're about ready to pull the trigger on a new front floor pan, lower dog legs, steps, and a couple of wheel arch pieces from Europe. I'm hoping to get the last of the bondo done, and another section primed. As well as working on getting down the cargo floor.

I must say, I've learned so much about myself and my bus over the last couple years. I'm so grateful there are so many great people on here. You guys have been good motivation, and a valuable resource for my and many others. I've called on you for many things in the past, and I'm sure many things to come.
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chazz79 · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:28 pm Post subject:

Those crossmembers you posted about last august are mislabeled. My 73 has the same crossmembers you have.

It's a long ways to get there, but when done you'll have an enjoyable machine. Im just now getting some miles under mine and I'll probobly never be finished with it. Im just glad to be out in it, making memories instead of bloody knuckles.
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READ ME (1973 Riviera Resto Project)
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