1964 Bus Restore

moodycamera · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:36 am Post subject: 1964 Bus Restore

Hi, I'm new here, posted this in the wrong section before..

I am expecting my 64 Bus to arrive next week from New Mexico and I've never restored a vehicle before. Wondering what the first order of business should be.

Bus has been in my family since 1972. Its lived in New Mexico is whole life and now its coming to live with me after living in storage for almost 10 years.

I'm thinking it might make sense to paint first... replace all the rubber and canvas top. Its in descent condition, living in the desert its whole life. I know it will start to rust rapidly out here. Or should I just start with getting it in a good running order?

My future goals for my bus are to restore it and use it for my business, renting it for events/weddings. There are similar buses that do this overseas and I love that idea. Plus it gives me a great excuse to restore it all pretty.

You would think I had 10 years to plan this. haha.

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

The inside is original and is in great need of work.

_________________
-Joy

1964 Type 2 Samba

Zacharysayre · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:49 am Post subject:

I would go through the brakes, electrical then engine and fuel system. Drive it a little while and get used to it. Then make a plan and restore it.
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If it ain't steel, it ain't real

Braukuche · Samba Member Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 11231

Most people here will tell you to drive it as is and keep it out of the harsh back east elements. If you want to restore it for business purposes then you are looking at spending some serious cash. And then you have to find a reputable shop to do the work unless you can do some or all of it yourself. That being said a 21 window is worth spending the money on. My suggestion is to decide what you want to do with it: stock restoration going with the original colors and interior (best option) or custom. Do you want to stick with the original engine/trans/brakes (again best options for reliability) or go modified. If you have not been in the scene the best thing to do is to look at other 21 window buses, talk to people who know the market, find restorers who are highly recommended based on recent work (lot of has beens out there still operating), get several quotes and talk to and look at buses done recently by these guys. Basically do a lot of research before you start pulling anything off that bus.
Good luck.
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Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

shunt1317 · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:17 pm Post subject:

That's a pretty nice family 'hand me down'.... Congrats.

Jerry · Samba Member Joined: October 28, 2007 Posts: 1367

Well advised Brukache... removing bits from a bus like this is just as important as reinstalling them when it's time to finish up. It's very important to "bag & tag" everything & certain parts of the teardown that you don't understand completely need to be noted. Snapping a few pics of these areas wouldn't hurt.
Good luck with your restoration!
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Culito · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:43 pm Post subject:

X2 on getting it running and stopping safely, put some miles on it, and do some good ol' bus camping. Enjoy it first, otherwise you might lose interest and it will just sit, half-finished.
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© CJ Industries, Inc.
'64 standard w/2.0L type 4
'62 bug

moodycamera · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:25 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone, totally right. I'm just fired up to get it done. Concentrating on getting it running solidly will be first order of business.
_________________
-Joy

1964 Type 2 Samba

dubstar · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:51 am Post subject:

is that a repaint or original paint?
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1977 Type I Fuel Injection

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"you could transport really tall things too, like a giraffe"

j.pickens · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:38 am Post subject:

Looks like early '64 with icepick front door handles.
You may have a very unique 1/2 year only rear reduction gearbox/axle combination.

Take lots of photos when you get it, especially that rear seat back.

The South Philly Van Club can help you out sorting things with your bus.

You do have indoor garage storage for the bus, yes?
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j.pickens · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:40 am Post subject:

moodycamera · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:58 am Post subject:

My Dad had it repainted in 72 when he bought/traded for it. The color is a porshe cherry red (he cleverly labeled the paint color on the interior door panel for the gas.

I have some interior photos. I'll post.
_________________
-Joy

1964 Type 2 Samba

Braukuche · Samba Member Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 11231

moodycamera · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:18 am Post subject:

back seat, the fold down and then my dad had a platform made that you would then put your foam mattress on for about a queen sized bed.

paint color notation. (not too clear in this photo. Looks like it was repainted in 76, not 72 like I thought.)

Before my dad died he started to reupholster the seats. He only got to the passenger side. And you get an adorable pic with my nephew sitting on it. awe.

Another interior, my nephew modeling for scale, haha.

_________________
-Joy

1964 Type 2 Samba

aa390392 · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:41 am Post subject:

Now If it were mine, I'd get it to run and stop , drive it for awhile before I did anything else to it..Think long and hard before you start tearing into it...takes a lot of time and $ + love and devotion...IMO to many of these have been torn into and left for dead...YOU MY Friend have a very nice ride as it sits Cool

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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!

55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

GLHTurbo · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:54 am Post subject:

id just detail the living heck out of it...buff the paint, scrub interior, etc...get it as clean as you possibly can and enjoy it as it is!
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1957 Beetle
1966 Bus

Braukuche · Samba Member Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 11231

Any theories on the rear seat? Some strange option or homemade?
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

j.pickens · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:20 pm Post subject:

JustBarry1972 · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject:

+1 on just cleaning and enjoying, looks like a cool bus

2Pack · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:42 pm Post subject:

To add to the back seat mystery, it appears to be basalt gray instead of the two-toned silver beige/basalt gray that you would expect in a SWR/beige gray deluxe. Maybe the bus was originally a mouse gray/pearl white bus?

Can you post the color info from the M-code plate?
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Please buy my Treasure

zozo · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:49 pm Post subject:

Beautiful bus!

Did you paint your toenails to match?


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