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1978 Westy full restoration project (Stella Blue)
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smurfpike
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Joined: April 24, 2010
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Location: Utah
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PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 10:46 am    Post subject: 1978 Westy full restoration project (Stella Blue) Reply with quote
It has taken me a few years to get this up but I figure better late than never. This project started out with a great vehicle that I bought off a friend. Then my dad and I completely restored it from the ground up. When it was done is won several awards at shows and was in 5 magazines from around the world. Below are the pictures of the restoration. The only thing professionally done was the paint job. Everything else was built or restored my dad and I. I am not a professional and everything I have either taught myself or learned from my dad. The total time for this restoration was 12 months and I was working a full time job on top of it.

Her name is Stella Blue

This is the link to all of the pictures on photobucket. http://s63.photobucket.com/user/smurfpike/library/1978%20Westy

This is the day I brought it home
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After removing everything to a bare shell
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Repairing the engine bay that was cut for a Buick V6
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On the way to have it blasted
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Back from blasting with bodywork complete and POR 15
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Ready for Paint
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Back from paint!
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Assembly time - I had more pictures but my computer crashed and lost some pictures.
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Insulation and sound deadening
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Top Restoration
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Interior assembly
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Engine Assembly - 2.1 Liter with Dellorto 40
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Ready for Install
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Installed
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Finishing Touches

Custom one off stereo glove box
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New Propane tank
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Finished and its first test drive
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Autorama Salt lake City 2012
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Autorama Salt Lake City 2013
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Magazine Pictures - Hot VW's, Aircooled Classics Magazine (online), Australian VW Magazine, Ultra VW Magazine (UK), Camper and Commercial (UK)

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After all of this work I ended up selling it beacuse I built it to be a vehicle to enjoy and camp in but it ended up as a showcar. These pictures are of the day it left. I dont have kids but I think I had the same feeling of losing one this day when it went on down the road. I ended getting a 1987 Syncro Camper that fit my needs more and it has its own restoration thread. Thank you for veiwing and if you have any questions please ask and I will do my best to answer them.
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1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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eche_bus
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PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for sharing photos of your Westy. Nice workmanship and a real cool display with the tent you set up! That has to have been real hard to part with. I promised my wife I wouldn't restore ours to the point where we wouldn't want to use it, and your story is a good reminder why.
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 11:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
eche_bus wrote:
Thanks for sharing photos of your Westy. Nice workmanship and a real cool display with the tent you set up! That has to have been real hard to part with. I promised my wife I wouldn't restore ours to the point where we wouldn't want to use it, and your story is a good reminder why.


Thank you and yes I wanted a nice van but I did too nice of a job. I was constantly telling my girlfriend do not put things on the counter or you will scratch it haha, I look back knowing I was being ridiculous about it. When she confronted me on that it wasn’t fun to camp that’s when I realized it was time to let it go. Sadly I couldn’t keep it.
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1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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EZ Gruv
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PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 11:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice to see you post your (former) bus here Jason. I saw it in person in Las Vegas a couple years ago. Very nicely done.
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1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
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Bala
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PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 11:46 am    Post subject: Re: 1978 Westy full restoration project (Stella Blue) Reply with quote
smurfpike wrote:
I dont have kids but I think I had the same feeling of losing one this day when it went on down the road.


Maybe like it was going off to college would be more appropriate. Smile

Very nice, thanks for taking the time to share!
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VWDog
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PostPosted: Sat May 03, 2014 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very nice Bus! I have seen it in the mags and you did an outstanding job.

Like you and others, I find having a "show" Bus great, but frustrating. My quite original 78 Riviera is like this. I have had to do the same as echo_bus and promise to only deal with the mechanicals(total engine rebuild) on my wife's Westy. Okay, I had to have a paint job, but that was to cover the primer from the PO. These Buses(all types) were made to use, but when too much work goes into them, it makes it hard to put that first scratch in them(even the countertop!). I guess it is a double edge sword because we want to drive what we like and be proud of how it looks. Very Happy
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camit34
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PostPosted: Sat May 03, 2014 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
WOW...Really nice work on your Bus! I can see how you would be a little hesitant to use it as a camper really should be. Thanks for sharing the saving of another nice Bus.
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JGB
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PostPosted: Sun May 04, 2014 8:11 am    Post subject: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413& Reply with quote
Great looking bus love the color
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babysnakes
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PostPosted: Sun May 04, 2014 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very nice bus and a great display. I can empathize with you on the show issue. I have a '72 beater that I use for everything, but I am putting so much time and money in my '69 SC I have been having feelings about using it when it's finished.
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scirocco_crazy
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great Job on the build, I know what you mean about making it not usable once it gets to nice. I built mine then sold it after just month of completion. For me the fun is in the build. Good luck on the next build. I have already started mine and have to remind myself all the time to chill out and make this one just a regular vehicle.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=589790&highlight=westy
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I thought I would update with pictures as I get them, here are a few pictures of the current owners enjoying the camper in France
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1965 Ottinger Tribute Overland Bus
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1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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