| Author |
Message |
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 9:40 pm Post subject: 1973 Riviera Build |
 |
|
Wandered into bus ownership the other day. Wasnt expecting to get a bus but this one showed up for free and I couldnt say no to that. Not to mention look at it  I know nothing about baywindows. Have only played with bugs and vanagons. This is a nice cross of those. Here are some pictures of when I picked it up in western WA. The moss was really starting to get to it.
Doing some inspection to see what I just rescued:
Got it dragged up on the trailer and headed out to the Palouse where I could dry this old bus out a bit:
Back home with the vanagon:
Time to clean up the mold and moss from this old bus!
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD 
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Cleaning out the mold. Last on the road in 2020. Just sat in the rain under a pine tree for too long with bad window seals.
My cat being a great help, testing out if the benches are comfortable:
Just tried to air it out but the wife and dog approve of the bus!
Washing off a lot of moss:
Little side by side on the moss removal.
Interior upholstery coming along:
Parked in the garage to stay dry:
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Got the spare tire put under the front bench seat in it's factory location. Just gonna pretend I cant see the four holes where the tire mounted on the nose. Logo instead:
Cleaned up some surface rust and pitting on the rear shelf due to the back rear window seal.
Last sits before I rip out the interior:
Rear hatch pin snapped so had to drill that out and right now i just have a cotter pin holding it together:
Waiting on some interior build out now
Engine helper:
Engine is a type 4 with dual solex's. Need to get them dialed but drove the bus around a bit today around town. Need to do fuel lines but those are on order. Few of the exterior lights work, likely because of all the moisture the connections were exposed to so I will start to tackle all of that stuff soon.
Should be getting to work on the interior rebuild here shortly so stay tuned.
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51121
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:21 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
There's something very appealing about the colors and the interior on that one, nice score! Get those carbs off to Tim (Volkzbitz) for a rehab, you won't regret it.
Is that molding around the beltline that stick on plastic stuff, it's not something that VW did.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:15 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
| busdaddy wrote: |
There's something very appealing about the colors and the interior on that one, nice score! Get those carbs off to Tim (Volkzbitz) for a rehab, you won't regret it.
Is that molding around the beltline that stick on plastic stuff, it's not something that VW did. |
The molding is metal but definitely not OG like you said. It’s a unique look, I’m not usually one to like non oem style changes but it’s subtle and a non-Vw person wouldn’t even know. Call it OEM plus haha.
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mikewire
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2010
Posts: 805
Location: San Antonio, TX
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:43 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Really cool! I've always thought they find you, you don't find them lol. Good on you for taking it and getting it treated properly.
Any idea what the history is on it? Enthusiast owned? I mean it's clear someone took care of it, and with some of the modifications, it's very unique and appears to be done up professionally, or at least from the pictures it does.
It's also a non-walkthrough, which is not very common.
_________________
-Mike
@countdowngarage
@bigskyeuro
1972 VW Kombi 9 Passenger Deluxe w/ 2.0L F.I. VWAC swap
1965 VW Beetle Deluxe Bahama Blue |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
| mikewire wrote: |
Really cool! I've always thought they find you, you don't find them lol. Good on you for taking it and getting it treated properly.
Any idea what the history is on it? Enthusiast owned? I mean it's clear someone took care of it, and with some of the modifications, it's very unique and appears to be done up professionally, or at least from the pictures it does.
It's also a non-walkthrough, which is not very common. |
I’ve found an ad from 2015 when it was for sale. Was owner by a lady since then until 2020. Then left to sit. That’s when I got it. I’ll post those 2015 ad pictures in here. The bus was definitely in good shape in 2015. And the interior must’ve just been done at that time because the plywood is dated June 2014 that I just pulled up. 
Here are pics I have found of the bus from around 2015 from old samba ads/Pinterest/various websites:
Someone did a nice job and then it just got neglected. Looks like they had it posted for 13,000$ in 2015 when it sold as well.
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ceckert64
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2015
Posts: 1955
Location: Manitowoc, WI
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
| Ceckert64 wrote: |
| Wow! A year isn’t that long to be off the road and then give it away for free?! Is there more to the story? That’s probably one of the best free busses ever! Nice score! |
Little bit more than that but I’ll leave it at that. You’re right! A good deal for sure! Just happy it will get another chance at life versus sitting for an unknown amount of time!
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Spent all day today insulating the bus and getting the subfloors and flooring installed
Furred out the floor with some 1x2 pine and some 1” foam insulation. Should be cozy in here:
Followed up with some 1/2” plywood that acts as the subfloor:
Got some click flooring installed and paid a little extra for the vinyl stuff so it’ll take more abuse:
Cut out some new interior paneling out of birch because all the panels were molded and rotten:
Got the jump seat bench rebuilt with new wood in place of the rotten wood. Still need to sand it and stain it, not to mention build a new door for it:
Excited to get some stain down on all the wood and get this interior done.
Gonna do a bunch of modifications on the old cabinet setup but will try to reuse as much as I can:
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
P24p1
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2020
Posts: 363
Location: Canada, Quebec
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2021 7:58 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
How do you people find buses for free? It just boggles my mind.
That bus would go for an easy 20k in that state up here! 
_________________
1973 Westfalia named Angie
What rust?
Rev it - don't lug it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Been trying to get all the lights to work on this thing and finally there with it now. Cleaned all corrosion on all the connections and grounds. Had to replace the headlight switch itself as it wasn’t triggering the headlamps.
Cleaning up on the roof as well. Using a fiberglass polishing compound.
Shop helper remains loyal:
Roofage:
Making slight modifications to the cabinet layout as I’m going to do a different setup for the stove. Just raised the middle section there.
Roll on
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Been doing some interior work on this thing to make it nicer to daily once the snow and ice cook off. Ive remade the front door cards, and the slider, and the rear hatch but am going to glue the burlap coffee bags to give it some character.
Repainted the wheels white and took off the cheap chrome beauty rings.
Got the engine lid painted black and it looks really sharp.
Lucky I got a good shop buddy to hangout with me during these cold winter months
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
metahacker
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2010
Posts: 692
Location: san.diego
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:40 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
I think I saw you on some Facebook VW groups
Awesome bus - looking forward to seeing your progress 
Never seen a non walk thru late bay Rivi
It looks like it came that way and has the full seat bulkhead?
Usually they are Kombis...and don't have the fancy VW headliner in the back. But it has the Portland Glass/OG Motion Windows type Rivi sliders, and all the Naguhyde trim around the pop top interior edges.... so I assume it all came that way at some point.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Clementine79
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2019
Posts: 319
Location: WA
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:08 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Very nice bus, are you in western WA? Are the Cougar plates yours or P.O.? We have a 79 rivi in Spokane
_________________
1979 VW BUS
Riviera Penthouse Model |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2022 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
| metahacker wrote: |
I think I saw you on some Facebook VW groups
Awesome bus - looking forward to seeing your progress
Never seen a non walk thru late bay Rivi
It looks like it came that way and has the full seat bulkhead?
Usually they are Kombis...and don't have the fancy VW headliner in the back. But it has the Portland Glass/OG Motion Windows type Rivi sliders, and all the Naguhyde trim around the pop top interior edges.... so I assume it all came that way at some point.... |
Yeah seems like a pretty unique bus in that regard.
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2022 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
| Clementine79 wrote: |
| Very nice bus, are you in western WA? Are the Cougar plates yours or P.O.? We have a 79 rivi in Spokane |
We are in Pullman actually. Go Cougs.
Had our first nice day since November so I took the bus for a drive to knock the cobwebs off and I ended up stranded on the side of the road with what I believe is a dead fuel pump. I replaced it just need to see if the bus will fire off now.
Filled it up right before hand so don’t know if that had any effect on it dying. It’s got a new fuel filter and it is unclogged there so don’t know why the old fuel pump might’ve died
Roadside stranded. Luckily I broke down about a block from sisters house and just pushed it there
If anyone suspects something else would be interested in thoughts. Fuel pump normally pumps when I go to ACC on ignition but it didn’t and would only kinda do one little squirt of fuel if I turned key to start. Don’t know if fueling up would’ve done anything. Carbs need tuned but I wanted to get out and maybe that was cause. I’ve really only got them on a base tune right now
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Got her running kinda Gooderish to run around town. Still need to dial in timing. Just ordered a timing gun with digitally rpm readout. Also still need to tune carbs a bit they don’t want to sync up.
Painted the inside cabinets. Painted the ceiling and installed some LED lighting. Got some of the cabinet doors painted just need to hang them. She should be good to go soon!
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Clementine79
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2019
Posts: 319
Location: WA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 8:50 am Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
I like the door panels and kick panels, they look nice covered like that 
_________________
1979 VW BUS
Riviera Penthouse Model |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
webberjames95
Snorkelstang Finder
Joined: January 18, 2011
Posts: 1091
Location: Pullman, Washington
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 Riviera Build |
|
|
Pulled the engine because I dropped a bolt down the manifold and couldn’t get the manifold off without taking the tins off and so I said ah what the heck let’s just go. New plugs/wires. New throttle cable. Vacuum lines. New fan shroud cover. Got it slapped together ready to go back in
_________________
1967 Bug:
Olga: the Cal look car lost in the PNW SOLD
1984 Vanagon:
Berty the Vanagon
1973 Bus
Amber the Bus Sold
INSTAGRAM @jwebber95 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
