61 RHD DC restoration

[Stealthy]

Hi All,

I love reading resto posts on the samba, so i thought i would upload my first post.

I was part of a couple of guys who got a lead on the DC back in 2000, I tagged along because i love the chase of a VW find.

We found the old girl looking unloved and under a broken down shelter off the shed, the rear of the tray was full of kindling and tree cuttings that old lady started the wood stove in the house. Apart from that she looked in pretty good shape from the outside. The owners wife showed us around explaining that her late husband and her used to own the local general store in Gembrook, Victoria (in the hills of the Dandenongs) and delivered groceries to the locals in the area and also having 3 kids took them and picked them up from school.

My good friend Stuart started the negotiations for the car with the wife and struck up a deal. The owners wife wasn't a push over and drove a hard bargain. From that day I always wanted to own this awesome Pick up.

My mate Stuart owned the "Ute" (Australian word for "Utility Vehicle") for the next 15 years, in that time he had a rebuilt motor put in it as the original one was shot. Breaks re done and exterior body work tidied up. The interior was so original it was like a time warp, all interior, door, roof card survived, the seats all intact (front Hump Seat Model), dash and switches, speedometer and steering wheel all working.

He drove the Ute to various VW meets and shows throughout the years and i was always good to see it as there wasn't any other Splitty DC's around, he also used it as a daily driver to work for a number of years before only using it on the weekends.

I spoke to Stuart at a swap meet a few years ago and asked why he didn't bring the DC. He explained that the didn't drive it much anymore and the 6V battery went flat and the car just sat for 12 months, I asked what he was going to do with it as he was getting heat from his wife to either get it going again or sell it. That's when my ears pricked up! I gave him a offer on the ute and he agreed, the deal was done!.... yippee it was mine, now i'm the 3rd owner!

The DC was made from a CKD kit at the Volkswagen Factory in Clayton, Victoria. As found it had 36,422 miles on the clock and was last registered in June 1989. The factory color is "Gulf Blue", it had the remains of the timber slats but most didn't survive.

Fast forward till now, after driving the DC for a few years and obtaining the hoops and bows, then a Busware canvas to finish it off, it was time for a tidy up.
We have noticed a few areas that were getting bad and wanted them sorted out so the car lasts for another 60 years. This is where it gets interesting.....

DC as found

DC after retreival

When Stuart owned it

As it looked with me the new owner

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STEALTH
61 RHD Gulf Blue DC

Australian CKD

[Stealthy]

Now for the strip down... Previous repairs back in the day and "usual" rust areas.

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STEALTH
61 RHD Gulf Blue DC

Australian CKD

[type2rescuemaine]

Cool bus, was it originial paint before you stripped it down?

[Stealthy]

[D-train]

I like this.
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shiny paint doesnt make it worth any more

[Stealthy]

Resto update

Welding finally finished and prepped for paint.

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STEALTH
61 RHD Gulf Blue DC

Australian CKD

[Stealthy]

Next stop Paint! 😃
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STEALTH
61 RHD Gulf Blue DC

Australian CKD

[Skim]

Who ever added them extra tail lights did a damn nice job
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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[zimblewinder]

61 Aussie and Italian bus standard tail light and indicator. They do look good don't they.
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58Euro 23 343208 The Ultimate Zimblewinder Machine.
59 mango standard
Wanted- splash pan supports, og pressed bumper coach bolts, ivory blaupunkt knobs (early), armrest alloy strips, NOS door mechanism