Sea Blue Bus Blues ~my 67 preservation~

BusJunky

Hello all! Well i picked up this 1967 OG paint bus last weekend over in New York. I was pretty excited because this is my first split window project that's 100% original paint. The frame and under carriage in general is in very good shape. There's a fair amount of rust in the usual areas. Doglegs, floors, rockers etc. It's not too bad... Other then the roof. Im sure debris from a near by tree collected on it and over the years of sitting, it rusted thru. Then the water started making it's way down the roof channels, mice had nested there and those nest, water logged, essentially rusting the entire inner roof line. To make matters worse, the water made it's way thru the inner A pillars and rusted them from the inside out. From the outside the paint looks great and the windshield pillars and lower windshield look amazing. Their inner structure however, is non-existent. My goal is the preserve and keep as much of the original paint as possible. I ordered all of the lower sheet steel replacement parts from WW and i've got that under control. Im going to need some guidance with the roof lol.

All loaded up and headed back to Ohio!

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At home and ready to be cleaned up! The wheels were locked up and i had to chain it to a post and drag it back of the trailer. I trashed my come-along winching it up on the trailer. Luckily the back wheels had just cleared the dove tail when it broke.

That's ugly!

All cleaned out to assess the damage.

All washed up and buffed out. Theres plenty of life left in that old paint. Popped a few dents out while I was at it.

First things first. Although I have sheet steel coming, I also ordered everything needed to replace the brakes. I have enough stuff around to rebuild the engine. Im going to make it a running/driving project before anything else. I've learned in the past that diving right into rust repair is very, very time consuming and easy to get bogged down. I think being able to cruise around will be extra motivation to see the project thru. Like a lot of other VW enthusiast, I have several projects going on at once. Most can not be driven. It's quite frustrating lol. Im looking forward to sharing my experience preserving this old bus with you!
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flemcadiddlehopper · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 11:08 pm Post subject:

Wow, good find and a nice project.

Make sure you go over everything before you think about driving it. You don't want to start your project by making things worse.
Also, check your birthdate of your '67 to see if you have the newest split on the Samba (other thread).

Good lick, keep us posted on your progress.

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

Retrograde Garage. Vintage Aircooled, and others.

BusJunky · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 11:13 pm Post subject:

kenshapiro2002 · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:16 am Post subject:

Ahh....got excited when I saw the birth date, but mine was exactly three months earlier:

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Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat

Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx

BusJunky · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:52 am Post subject:

kenshapiro2002 · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 1:59 pm Post subject:

If your radio is a working AM/FM Sapphire VI, I'd be interested in it.
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Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat

Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx

BusJunky · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:14 pm Post subject:

I checked it out earlier today. Its a V not VI. not sure if it's functionable either. I did find these og touch up paint bottles under the seat compartment. There was a ton of stuff rotting in there. These finds are always cool. To bad the box is trashed.

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BarryL · Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 2:52 pm Post subject:

I remember buying those at VW. What VW part are they resting on?

BusJunky · Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 7:58 pm Post subject:

BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:07 am Post subject:

Time for an update. Got my front floor in.

Then my outer cargo floor.

Picked up a donor door with 5 layers of resparys on it. Then got it stripped back to the og sea blue and got it on the bus.

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BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:09 am Post subject:

I used metal from the old door to patch up a big rust hole in the outer rocker. Trying to keep as much og paint as possible.

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BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:18 am Post subject:

Got the engine all tore down and rebuild it with all new bearings and seals. Keeping it stock other then the exhaust.

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BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:26 am Post subject:

There was a big hole from where someone mounted a antenna on the bus at some point. So i used a VW belt buckle that i had and used it as a patch for the hole. It gives the bus some more character, goes nice with the bullet holes along the side too!

Then I slapped a couple stickers on the back as well.

After that i got all my electrical sorted out and ive been driving the bus around my shop parking lot. Its such a blast even in first gear putting around with no brakes lol.

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kenshapiro2002 · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:25 am Post subject:

Nice progress. While you were putting in that metal, I found my Sapphire VI radio, and a lot of OG aero papyrus interior panels. I'll soon be selling some aero papyrus interior panels if you want some.
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Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat

Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx

BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:22 pm Post subject:

BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:27 pm Post subject:

I rebuilt the A pillar by hand. Turned out pretty good. Trying to save as much of that og paint as i can.

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kenshapiro2002 · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:31 pm Post subject:

Crustier ones than yours have been restored. Mine's just being "conserved", which is why I've been looking for decent OG interior panels. Looking forward to watching your progress.
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Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat

Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx

BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:49 pm Post subject:

Then i started in on the lower dogleg. I had to cut off and replace the front half of my roof. I used what good steel was left to build it. Still german steel.. I started by making the outer part first.

Then i built the inner frame. Leaving enough material to tie it into the og dogleg.

Then i made the first little 1/4" step in part and the lower elbow. It would be really difficult to make the elbow and the top piece all in one part.

Then i made the top plate and tied it all in. Hand made dogleg in the raw.

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kenshapiro2002 · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:52 pm Post subject:

I had to do lower doglegs too, but used nice green KF parts. I bow to your skills... nice work.
_________________
Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat

Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx

BusJunky · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 4:16 pm Post subject:

It looks kinda crappy because i ran out of wire in the middle of the night and finished tacking it with flux core. Plus the paint. They'll look great when their all cleaned up. Thank you tho!
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Sea Blue Bus Blues ~my 67 preservation~
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