1960 23 Window restoration

[jordanpallen]

Hello Everyone,

This is my second VW bus resto. I bought a 1967 21 Window as a deployment present and have since regretted selling it. After plenty of search, I found this bus in Spokane which came pretty much complete with everything except the middle seat and cargo floors. The body work starts tomorrow and I thought I would keep a running update of all the repairs. I have some info about its history. It was found out on some acreage in Northern Washington, some guy bought several hundred acres and later found the bus up on a hill. It was in fairly decent shape.

It just sat up there for years, not really knowing what it was. Then one day, he decided to redo his kitchen and the carpenter saw the bus on the hill near his house and decided to trade his remodeling skills for the bus. They were in complete shock that he was willing to trade. He took a rake up the hill and scoured the area to get all the bits and pieces that had fallen off the bus. A few years went by, and he started working on it but ran out of money, then it just sat.

It is a 1960 Model 241? M Code? 367? 2 pop outs, Deluxe
I am hoping to get the bus fully restored by the summer.

_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[RPGreg2600]

Cool. I will be watching this one. Good luck getting it done by summer!

[Braukuche]

[type47fan1]

Lot of work, but well worth it in the end. Several folks thought I was crazy for trying to bring back one of mine. Really it does not look like any out of the norm repairs in your pics.
Can not wait to see the progress.
Good look.


Phillip
_________________
JLD
My 60 Mango Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581699
My 66 Westy Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5825134#5825134

[jordanpallen]

I guess I should have mentioned that I have some really good help. I have a guy in Idaho who is doing all the paint and body. I will tackle the rest. The only real question I have is the size of VW engine I should put in. I do want to drive this down the freeway. I'll keep the original motor tucked away safe and sound just in case I change my mind. Nothing too crazy, but that can go at least 65-70.
_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[type47fan1]

A 1600 with proper gearing will do 65-70, I am thinking of going a little bit bigger myself. I have a 1600DP in the deluxe and one waiting on the westy,but you will get a lot of suggestions on which engine to use.
_________________
JLD
My 60 Mango Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581699
My 66 Westy Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5825134#5825134

[Braukuche]

[flemcadiddlehopper]

very cool bus...ready by summer? Hmmm. Just make sure not to rush it and skimp on pieces because of a finish date you've set for yourself.

As far as engine goes... the engine should match the rest of the build's factors. ie. lowered reduction box omit = bigger engine. Stock, stock height, wide whitewalls = stock engine. But that's just my opinion. You just need an engine to meet your needs. There are lots of threads discussing best engines for buses.

good luck with it, have fun doing it, post lots of pics for us.

Gordo.
_________________
Everybody Dies....Some Never Live.

Retrograde Garage. Vintage Aircooled, and others.

[jordanpallen]

I got a few different engines with the bus, the original that was rebuilt, and a bigger size, need to check. Both are single port.
_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[jordanpallen]

I will need:
- rockers, both sides
- cargo floors
- lower dog legs
- all the jackpoints and outriggers
- outer belly pans, might get all new
- lower nose section
- front floor pan

Probably use a combo of sheet metal suppliers.

I wont rush it, but the goal is by summer, if I dont sent a time, it may never get done.
_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[dawerks]

Nothing better than a 23! Nice bus and it's better to set a tight deadline and try to hit it than be one of those '10+ year restorations'.

Just because they take longer doesn't mean they turn out any better (also count in opportunity time not driving it...).
_________________
"There is only one sin; disconnection from self."

[flemcadiddlehopper]

[reeler]

Very sweet find. Bringing a 23 window back from the dead is a noble cause.

If you can do this by summer that would be amazing. I am shooting to have mine done by summer of 2014.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511291&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I look forward to following the progress!!!

[jordanpallen]

@ reeler, it is scary how little rust your bus has, what a rare find.

I think as long as I can get the metal and parts in with in a decent time frame, then I think I can do it. I'll have several things going at once, and the major stuff is being out-sourced.

I should have a bunch more pics up this week.
_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[Brendel20]

This bus looks awesome!!! Looks super clean and all the bad stuff is already gone. I only wish my first project and one I just picked up was as solid as this. Best of luck...you can get-er-done.

[jordanpallen]

So here are a few pics as it rolled into the shop to begin the work. Lots of work to do. The drivers side wont be too bad I hope. We have already sanded down the pasenger side and it looked pretty clean. The floors and beams need to be replaced. I am not planning on a show winner, just a great looking driver that is solid.
_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[jordanpallen]

Should have some more pics up in a few days, getting the body panel parts list together. After seeing some of other resorations, I'm not feeling nearly as bad about this.
_________________
Restoring a 1960 23 Window

[mastorna]

[velvetgreen]

looks like a great project! Don't mean to nit pick but can you please get some proper jackstands under the bus, not concrete blocks! Would hate to see the bus drop, especially with someone under it.

Lotsa sheet metal available these days, hopefully you won't need too much. Are you going for a 100 point resto or a "patina'ed" driver?

[el-cid]

Is it just sitting on some stacked cinder blocks? That's a little scary.

*edit: great minds think (and post) alike